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What types of visas are accepted for opening bank accounts in Thailand?

Kasikorn BankThai Bank AccountVisa RequirementsNon-O VisaNon-B VisaEducation VisaRetirement VisaElite VisaLoyalty VisaBanking IssuesTransfer Delays
Jun 19, 2025
2 months ago
Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dropped into Kasikorn today to ask about opening an account because the delays with the Wise to Bangkok Bank transfers is becoming untenable. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, I couldn't do it and was cited the only 3 visas acceptable are ED, work and retirement.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster inquired about opening an account with Kasikorn Bank and faced issues due to visa restrictions, learning that only Educational (ED), Work, and Retirement visas were acceptable. Various comments suggest discrepancies regarding accepted visa types, including mention of the Elite and Long-Term Resident (LTR) visas. The discussion also involves banking experiences related to transfers from Wise to Kasikorn and Bangkok Bank, with mixed feedback on the speed and reliability of these transactions.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Stephen **********
I just transferred from my bank to bangkok bank via wise at 10pm and had the money the next day by lunch. It used to take a few seconds but when I moved a bit more it took until 2pm the next day. I think it had to do with the timing of bank hours or the amount.

Are you moving large quantities? Maybe that is the cause of the delay
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *********
 on the contrary the most I have ever converted and sent is the equivalent of 200,000 baht.
2 months ago
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Stephen **********
@Nelson *****
 Wow, maybe it was just timing. Not sure why you are getting long delays then... Hope you find a solution.
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *********
 I don't know but I'm actively trying to find a way out of this and if it means leaving Bangkok Bank then I'm willing to do that
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
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Nickel *******
Does ED stand for erectile dysfunction visa? Is this like a medical visa or something
2 months ago
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Лена *******
kasikorn does not accept transfers from wise, payoner, and from abroad
2 months ago
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Anna ************
We have the same problems with transfer from Wise and Revolute to Kasikorn. Starting from June. Never had an issue before
@Nelson *****
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anna ***********
 just tried sending from Wise to Bangkok Bank and they are estimating arrival on Monday and it's not even midday Friday!
2 months ago
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Anna ************
@Nelson *****
 so my point is if you have difficulties with transfer to BBL , new account in Kasikorn won’t solve it. Maybe worth to try other banks - krungsri/krungthai, and I heard krungthai (light blue one) is most loyal for DTV holders…
2 months ago
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Anna ************
@Nelson *****
 Kasikorn customer service told us that many customers complain to this and they are investigating.

DBS told that thai bank regulation has been changed on 11 May and banks are implementing new systems and rules that lead to technical issues. From my understanding the success and speed of the payment depends on which intermediate bank senders financial institutions use. So from Wise registered in EU it could be one route and payment are received without issue, for wise singapore - another etc etc
2 months ago
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Anna ************
@Nelson *****
 we are still getting the transfer bouncing back with the remark “technical issue from bank recipient”. Sending from singapore wise / Revolut if that make difference. Remit transfers from DBS singapore also don’t go throw. Only swift transfers from “proper” banks.
2 months ago
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Anna ************
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Anonymous ******************
Bitcoin (and now USDC/USDT) solve this.

If you'd realized this years ago, you would now have enough money to buy unlimited Elite visas for your entire extended family to open Thai bank accounts and spend the rest of your days sending early retirement money around. But it still holds true today.

Banks will only become more pedantic and limiting with your own money. Look into the alternative (not 'Wise') and you'll be happy.
2 months ago
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Nathan ****
Crypto to the Bank takes me 5-10 minutes with Bangkok Bank.
2 months ago
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Upadhyay *********
@Nathan ***
 with K-Bank. Almost instant.
2 months ago
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Nathan ****
@Upadhyay ********
 Well the delay I'm saying is from the P2P traders and escrow 😌
2 months ago
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Upadhyay *********
@Nathan ***
 What platform do you use? I usually use Binance TH, scared of P2P, skeptical about the money being clean.
2 months ago
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Nathan ****
@Upadhyay ********
 Localcoinswap, I've used the top traders for years now. they even do ATM cash withdrawal if you prefer that.
2 months ago
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Justin *****
@Nathan ***
 mintt? 😅👌😄
2 months ago
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Upadhyay *********
@Nathan ***
 Yup, I use it too for cash in person only. Without escrow, over tele.gram, they usually charge 3%.
2 months ago
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Upadhyay *********
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Tommy ********
Makes sense. DTV holders are long stay tourists
2 months ago
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Anonymous ******************
I have been 3 years with krungthai and they very good!
2 months ago
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Peter *********
Anonymous participant 184 Nearly 10 years for me with them, no problems.
2 months ago
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Peter *********
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마리오 ***
In the last few weeks I’ve noticed a delay in Wise to Bangkok Bank transfers also, generally for larger amounts though. I transferred 100k yesterday and it took about 12 hours. Transferred 650k a few weeks ago and it took about a week to clear.
2 months ago
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Jude ****************
@마리오 **
 use bitcoin and it take a few seconds only
2 months ago
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Jude ****************
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Anton ********************
Seems it problem with ur home bank. Just transferred 20k and it took 5min
2 months ago
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Anonymous ******************
for what? as far as I know u cant transfer money with that account
2 months ago
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Expat **********
Been transferring Wise to BB for last 4 years. Almost always takes 24 hours. Plan better.
2 months ago
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Biff *******
If you had been successful in opening a K Bank account, you would likely find that the same longer time frame for transfers applies there too.
2 months ago
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Jordan *****
Kbank has Swift. Been doing international transfer to them for years. From Monday to Friday transfer time is 5-15 minutes from my US and European bank accounts
2 months ago
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Biff *******
@Jordan ****
 Wise was minutes too but recently the banks have changed how they process transfers
2 months ago
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Biff *******
@Jordan ****
 Bangkok Bank also has SWIFT
2 months ago
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Greg ********
@Biff ******
 Did all Wise transfers not come through Bangkok Bank and were then forwarded to other banks? That is why with Bangkok Bank it showed up as international transfer.
2 months ago
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Biff *******
@Greg *******
 not usually for me

They showed as ‘other bank’

I believe their Thai partner was Dee Money ? Not 100% sure but it arrived in seconds from a Thai source.

I think the new banking clampdown has put a stop to that.

Needs to be approved by BB staff now

Does show up as international now though
2 months ago
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Biff *******
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Bob **********
You can’t open a bank account on a tourist visa
2 months ago
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AllSabaai ******
Since long time. KASIKORN is one of the hardest banks to accept openings account unless a Non B or Non O

Even for a certain time.. ED was not welcome in KASIKORN Bank too.
2 months ago
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Tarik *********************
Try opening a Thaitag account
2 months ago
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Michael ********
@Tarik ********************
 you can only add money to Thaitag with foreign cash. It’s a bit of a gimmick.
2 months ago
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Michael ********
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Thai *********
Only 220 baht my local bank card , for buying motobike, paid 660 baht. For
*****
baht
2 months ago
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Christopher ******
@Thai ********
 I do the same... just take out
*****
at a time
2 months ago
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Christopher ******
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John *********
How busy is your life that you can’t wait “less than 24 hours” for a transfer?

PayPal always gives the ‘money in minutes’ option for a small fee but I’m not sitting on a dealer’s sofa waiting to score. (Nor am I implying you are.)

Why is seemingly everyone hooked on INSTANT? Especially in a country that demands patience?

I’m sure you’ve got your reasons.
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Because the transfers for the past 12 months have taken seconds. Another reason is that money in Bangkok Bank earns next to zero interest so I would rather it sits in my overseas account for as long as possible hence my tendency to make the transfer just before I need it. Everyone's needs are different.
2 months ago
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John *********
I get it. Things change.

At least you’re among us lucky ones who have a Thai bank account. That’s something to be grateful for.

What’s a day’s worth of interest on that amount?

Example: It’s less than 150฿ if you’re moving equivalent of 1MB and you earn 5% interest per year.
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 true it doesn't seem worth worrying over but at the same time the poor exchange rate because of the strong Baht makes me hold back until the rate improves. Inevitably it doesn't and I am forced to make the transfer at the last minute only to find that it's held up for 1 to 3 days the higher number being at weekends.
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
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Anonymous ******************
How about the elite visa? I thought they could get bank accounts
2 months ago
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마리오 ***
Anonymous participant 836 elite provides a concierge service to assist with opening a bank account
2 months ago
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Christopher *************
Anonymous participant 836 yes, I have one and accounts at Bangkok and kasikorn for the last four years
2 months ago
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Jon **********
Anonymous participant 836 yeah, they can
2 months ago
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Jon **********
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Mark ********
I just did a 70k transfer from Australia to Bangkok Bank last week. Took just under 24 hours. I've never had a problem
2 months ago
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Ling *****
Wise to Bangkok Bank took me 24 hours. Wise to Kasikorn took less than a minute. Both work for me.
2 months ago
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Dany ********
@Ling ****
 yeah and to SCB it took me maybe 1-2 hours the other day
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ling ****
 yes if only I had a Kasikorn account 🙏
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
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Ben ********
I had issues with wise when I was in Thailand in may aswell, transfers from my Aussie bank to my bkk bank were taking 2 days to transfer,however if I sent money to my mates kasikorn it'd take seconds?
2 months ago
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Todd *********
Untenable? They are same as always. If Wise changes, it’s likely because of national policy banking changes. Has nothing to do with with Wise platform. Mine have been precise and stable for 5 years now. And I use wise for 4 different countries and currencies
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 you're assuming I was unhappy with Wise but in fact it's Bangkok Bank hence my wanting to open a different bank account.
2 months ago
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Todd *********
@Nelson *****
 I’m not assuming anything. I’m going with what you wrote. And I’m also a Bangkok bank customer. So maybe a better explanation of the problem would help
2 months ago
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Todd *********
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Tore *********
What kind of delay? I sent a bit over 100k from wise to Bangkok Bank about week ago. Took less than 24hrs. Used to take seconds though, but.
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tore ********
 you said it yourself
2 months ago
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Tore *********
@Nelson *****
 But how is 24hrs long for international tranfer? What am I missing? The majority of that time it was held by Wise. How is a different bank gonna help?
2 months ago
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Bob **********
@Tore ********
 it’s not
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tore ********
 others have posted that transfers to Kasikorn or Krungsri are completed in seconds something Bangkok Bank used to do. Weekends are now impossible to receive funds.
2 months ago
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Jon **********
@Nelson *****
 Yes the issue is with Bangkok bank. Last time it took me 5 days to get the money, so I now send to my gf scb and it always takes 15-20 minutes.
2 months ago
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Jon **********
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Colin *******
I think that marriage, Elite and LTR would also work.
2 months ago
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Ben ******
@Colin ******
 yeah but how to get the marriage visa without the proof of funds in a Thai bank account?
2 months ago
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Nelson ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
 yes that makes sense.
2 months ago
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Greg ********
@Colin ******
 Definately - My bank said to me "Visa issued by Immigration" department which would cover all of those plus the B, O and Ed.
2 months ago
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Greg ********
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Erik *******
Thank you for sharing
2 months ago
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Erik *******
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