What visa does my friend need to open a bank account in Thailand, and can he apply for it while in Thailand?

If he's not 50 years old, doesn't have a condo or a job then he's not going to be getting that visa so... He can hold off on the bank account until he's more established in the country.

You can't get a bank acct unless you already have work permit/nonB or nonO.....you can apply for that outside of thailand (doesn't have to be in UK) you need to check which category u qualify and apply.....mostly need proof of funds and btw DTV doesn't guarantee you a bank acct

You can go to Vietnam or laos.

It used to be possible to open a bank account in Thailand without a long term visa until this year, when the banks were scrutinised and stopped. He therefore needs to travel to one of the neighbouring countries ((Vietnam, Laos etc), apply online for a 90 day non-O visa and once granted, return to Thailand, open a bank account to start the process.

With a non o visa and Thai wife, there should not be any problem opening a Thai bank account. Did he even try once?

To get à bank account in Thaïland, you need à 90 days visa (Non-O) which you can get on line in the UK or at Immigration in Thailand (i did). That visa will grant you time to season(2 months) your deposit of either 400 000 thb(marriage) or 800 000 thb(retirement) before you can get your 1 year extension

He has to leave Thailand in order to get a non o, Laos, Cambodia, if the borders have reopened or fly to Vietnam, apply in that country wait for your approval and come back

Yes, short of him owning a condo he will need to leave to get his non-o. Then come back to get his bank account for the extension. He can try going to anagent or a lawyer but they will cost.

Bank staff don't know anything about immigration. OX visa is simply not used.

In order to open a bank account they just need to be on a long-term visa or extension. Even a non-O visa suffices, and it's only 90 days. Those 90 days are meant for opening the bank account you must have in order to get the 1-year extension.

But each bank branch manager sets their requirements for that bank branch. There are many that simply won't deal with foreigners so they will make rules that are impossible. Just go to the next bank branch down the street and try there. Eventually you'll find one that will open a bank account with a long-term visa and a residence certificate from immigration.

Don't even bother trying if he's in Thailand as a tourist, as banks no longer open accounts for tourists.