Answered6 years ago
What type of visa do I need to open a bank account in Thailand?
What type of visa do I need to open up a Thai bank account? I have tried asking the bank, but they just say that I cannot open one.
Answer summary
To open a bank account in Thailand, it is not strictly necessary to have a specific visa, as practices vary widely by bank and branch. Many expats report being able to open accounts on a tourist visa or even a visa exemption. However, some banks may ask for additional documentation such as a work permit or a marriage certificate, depending on the policies of individual branch managers. If one branch denies your application, it is advisable to try other locations or bring a Thai person to assist. There are anecdotal reports of successful account openings without traditional visa requirements, highlighting the importance of persistence and exploring different banks.
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Anthony ********
I've got two bank account Kasikornbank and Bangkok? Never had a problem? I wonder what the problem is? Just provided passport and money (not a lot) you maybe should have a Thai citizen with you to explain? Either way most have privileged member cards.
Mick *********
OP@Anthony *******
as I stated in an earlier comment, I took my Thai wife and she did all the talking. It was 3 different branches of SCB bank. I will try at another company. Thanks for the comment.
Patrick ************
You need a letter from your embassy
Sean *********
VIP VISA check there fb page
Jenn **********
i finally found a girl at Bangkok bank that wanted to sell me life inurance in exchange for opening the account on a tourist visa,,keep trying youll find someone that can do it
Janin ******
Kasikorn bank normally easy. But as they say no regular law, so they just do what they want or how they feel!
Andrew ********
All the banks i tried were arse except Kasikorn, no problems at all.
Dennis ***********
Kasikorn Bank , no problem , tourist visa.
Simon **********
Mick, this is quite a good article to give you some honest information:
************************************************************
Oliver ********
like many things in thailand. every branch is different and sometimes the same branch is different depending on how busy they are or which staff you deal with or even how politely you talk to them.
Simon **********
If you visit the website of the various banks they explain what you require to open an account. Most clearly state you need a non tourist visa. The responses I got from every bank I tried in Bangkok were negative without exception. In the end a friend managed to circumvent the red tape for me at immigration and then at the bank. Some people seem to think it’s easy, in my experience it was definitely not.
Tod *********
many times those "friends" that circumvent red tape don't do it for free and it sounds like you just paid an agent to grease the wheels for you :P :O
Simon **********
@T**
wrong again. But thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.Tod *********
and while that might be what the website says, I can assure you there is NOTHING in banking law that states if you can or can't open a bank account on ANY valid entry stamp to thailand.
How many banks did you try actually because most people get an account opened after 3 or 4 tries at the most
How many banks did you try actually because most people get an account opened after 3 or 4 tries at the most
Simon **********
@T**
please don’t take the tone with me. I lost count of how many banks I tried in Bangkok. The help I received in opening the account was definitely not a simple matter. I only have 30 day visas and she had to get a letter from immigration for me and stand guarantor at the bank. If you are an expert on Thai banking law then good for you, the websites seem to disagree with you. I don’t know of many places in the world that would allow a “tourist” to open a bank account.
Ben *********
Sad, they have no standard services.
Ann ***************
Just keep trying different branches. Look for one that is located in an area with a lot of English language residents. Of course, we need to be able to open a bank account as it is one of the requirements for the long term Visas (including Retirement). I am with SCB, but I have heard that Bangkok Bank is friendly to foreigners.
Mick *********
OP@Ann **************
my wife has an account with SCB and I have been to 3 branches and won’t allow me an account Ann ***************
@Mick ********
hmmm. My son and I were successful at the EmQ branch. But I can’t say that if I had to do it again I would open with SCB. Most annoyingly SCB has closed their branch and the passbook update ATM machine at the Chaeng Wattana Immigration building.
Roy ***********
The banks I visited said I needed a work permit or marriage certificate. When I had a marriage certificate, they did not even ask for it.
There do not seem to be laws or rules on this, just keep trying different bank people at different branche seems to work for most.
There do not seem to be laws or rules on this, just keep trying different bank people at different branche seems to work for most.
Thomas ********************
Try different branches. I opened one on a tourist visa (Bangkok Bank.) I had a "letter of reference" from my embassy, though. That helps.
Mark *******
Exactly the same as me.
Hamid *******
u can open an account either if u are a student or have a work permit
Siddhartha *********
UOB bank! Easy, efficient. Saves time!
Adam *********
opened mine with non b Visa and work permit while on Visa amnesty (technically overstay)
Claus *********
The law is very clear. A foreigner have to be able to open a bank account. There are several cases where this is a requirement even to get a visa But practice is different ! Unfortunately
Mark *******
Just keep trying different branches until you find one that will allow it. As Tod mentioned, it's entirely up to the branch manager. Took me several tries (even on a long stay visa) to finally open one.
Mark *******
That's pretty sad... but thankfully I've never experienced anything like that here in Chiang mai
Kevin *****
@Mark ******
assuming they let you through the door! There have been reports of farang not even being allowed into the bank premises since Covid sprang up.
Joe ***********
It is often suggested to try Mall banks. Take a Thai person with you. Ask for the simplest account - savings.
Tod *********
One more thing (which is very relevant to people trying to open accounts) IF you already went on amnesty you CANNOT open an account at a bank because the stamp in your passport shows you're on overstay :O Of course you are NOT on overstay, you are on the amnesty but seeing as the amnesty has no stamp to so you can be here it looks like you're on overstay to a bank officer so they will decline to open an account for you :(
Phil *******
Did you get a debit card with your NRBA?
Jean-Francois **********
@Tod ********
I am on a tourist entry, visa exempt (I am Canadian) , now under amnesty, long past my stamp date, and got a savings account with atm card at Krungsri at MBK.Tod *********
Thanx
@Jean-F*******
(y) I will add that one to the list. Krungsri Bank, MBK Center location right?Jean-Francois **********
@Tod ********
Yes, they actually took my passeport, then came back telling me they could not since I was in overstay, then I showed them the Government document (posted on this group) about the amnesty. They then agreed with me that I was not an illegal and gave me the account. Only thing is, it is an NRBA (Non-Resident Baht Account). But for my purpose, showing 800,000 Baht in a Thai account, that is perfect. I can also use the app for bank transfers.Tod *********
@Jean-Francois *********
and you were on amnesty when you got the account open? <- (because amnesty has no stamp) meaning your original entry stamp had expired and just looking in your passport it would appear that you were on overstay ?Jean-Francois **********
@Tod ********
That is correctTod *********
Okay, lets hash this out
There is NOTHING <- as in not one word, in thai banking law that prohibits a foreigner from opening a bank account on a 30 day visa exempt, or a tourist visa entry. It is TOTALLY up to the branch manager of the bank you're standing in. If one bank says no, walk down the street to the next bank. You might have to try 3 or 4 banks BUT you will find one that will open an account for you. There are TWO in Bangkok that are easy to open at There is a K bank at Central World Trade Center on Sukhumvit and there is a Krungsri bank in Emquartier which will both open accounts with your passport and a lease.
There is NOTHING <- as in not one word, in thai banking law that prohibits a foreigner from opening a bank account on a 30 day visa exempt, or a tourist visa entry. It is TOTALLY up to the branch manager of the bank you're standing in. If one bank says no, walk down the street to the next bank. You might have to try 3 or 4 banks BUT you will find one that will open an account for you. There are TWO in Bangkok that are easy to open at There is a K bank at Central World Trade Center on Sukhumvit and there is a Krungsri bank in Emquartier which will both open accounts with your passport and a lease.
Steve *********
Take a Thai person with you. I opened an account with Bangkok Bank first in Chiang Mai and, later on in Khon Kaen. At the time I was only on 30 day visa exemption, not even on any visa.
Mick *********
OP@Steve ********
took my Thai wife and she did all the talking. Maybe I will try a different bank 
Stan *******
Yes, by far the easiest way.
Bri ****
Opened an account with k bank a few years ago... They took a photo copy of the main page inside passport . That was it. Not sure if they photo copied the visa page as well tho.
Garrett ***********
There is no visa requirement to open a bank account. If a bank branch told you that you couldn't open an account because of your visa, they're morons and you just need to go to another branch.
Mitchell *******
It helps if you go with a Thai local you trust. That is what I did.
They also asked if there would be a main external bank where to expect $$$ to come from.
They also asked if there would be a main external bank where to expect $$$ to come from.
Alan *******
I think this has changed. I've been told before you need a wp but this is not true. They only need to see a valid visa in your passport
Jean-Francois **********
I am on a tourist entry, visa exempt (I am Canadian) , now under amnesty, and got a savings account with atm card at Krungsri at MBK.
Mick *********
OP@Garrett **********
already been to 3 branches and told the same thing Garrett ***********
@Mi**
Then go to 3 more. There is no law that stipulates a visa to open a bank account in Thailand. You must be in the country legally, have a government issued identification, and have an address in Thailand. That's it. If you're in Bangkok I can give you a couple branches that will definitely open an account while on a tourist visa.Garrett ***********
@Mi**
No, any government issued ID, like a passport. Mick *********
OP@Garrett **********
Thai government id?
Yvor ***********
@Garrett **********
, for open bank you need one visa long stay .Garrett ***********
@Yv**
Absolutely not.Garrett ***********
@St**
NoStan *******
@Garrett **********
Actually, generally you do. There are individual branches who will bend the rules, but the general rule is a non-Imm visa with WP - SCB were bastards about that years ago, but when I went in with a Thai, all magically was OK.It all depends on your relationship with the bank branch, tbh. I knew an assistant manager quite well at my local Kasikorn. She spoke excellent English and we chatted every time I came. I managed to sweet talk her into opening an account for an ancient old guy who spent 6 months of the year in Thailand but it is all at the manager's discretion.
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