Answered6 years ago
Which banks allow opening an account with a short-term visa in Thailand?
Anyone know of a bank that will let me open an account on a short term visa? Been here since Feb. I have 2 thai driver's licenses and a green book in my name for what it's worth. Got rejected by TMB the other day because I wasn't on a long term visa. Thanks in advance.
Answer summary
Expatriates in Thailand often face challenges when trying to open a bank account on a short-term visa. While Thai law does not prohibit this, individual banks and branches may have differing policies. Bangkok Bank is frequently mentioned as being accommodating, especially if you can provide a Certificate of Residence from the local immigration office. Some users shared experiences of successfully opening accounts with various banks, sometimes requiring documentation like a notarized letter from their embassy or proof of residency. If one branch denies your request, visiting another branch or trying a different bank, like Krungsri or Kasikorn, can yield better results.
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Ross *****
can confirm Krunsri bank head office policy allows anyone (e.g. tourist visa) to open bank account if they have rental contract - if the branch says no, ask them call head office
Ross *****
@Travis ******
Hi , did you have any luck, could you recommend a branch/bank I’ve been rejected by a few the last few days, most say need work permit or at least letter from embassy. I’d rather try find somewhere which is more easyThanks in advance
Ross *****
thanks! worked with krunsri !!
Travis *******
OP@Joe *******
I've had success with krungsri. Started with a "non resident baht" account which was very quick and easy to open. I gave them my thai driver's license, a pic of a phone bill with a thai address and maybe my passport but I don't think I did. Then opened up a full account about a month later with a rental contract and passport. First branch said I needed my landlord's ID so I left that branch and went 3 mins down the road to a different branch of the same bank and opened it no problem. 
Benjamin ******
@Joe *******
Bangkok Bank in Centralworld, Bangkok, requires only a notary letter from your embassy with your address, and a 1,500 THB minimum opening balance. 
Martin ***********
Check multiple branches, I had to buy 12 months insurance to be offered an Acc with Bkk bank.
Amanda *********
kasikorn bank no problem
Colin ********
It changed a few years that now you have to have a WP or education visa or retirement visa etc.
Adrien **********
@Colin *******
doesnt stop bankok bank from doing it though...Colin ********
@Adrien *********
Bkk bank are the worst and have the most expensive fees, I have Kungsri, Kasikorn and SCB, Kasikorn are the best for international transfers and apps. You can even use there app for international transfers for 200thb flat fee.เต๋อ *****
UAB explain, I have to do banking the old fashion way, deposit and withdraw only from 1 branch that account being open.
เต๋อ *****
I was told to go to main branch only.
เต๋อ *****
They seriously need to update their banking rules.
Steve *******
I went to the first Bangkok Bank office i could find, while here on a tourist visa a few years ago and got my account. Just needed to show where I lived and my passport.
Still use that same account today.
I tried opening one at SCB too, since the BKK bank app was pure garbage before they updated it, but SCB branch I was at basically said "we won't help you if you don't deposit a million baht or have a work permit"
Still use that same account today.
I tried opening one at SCB too, since the BKK bank app was pure garbage before they updated it, but SCB branch I was at basically said "we won't help you if you don't deposit a million baht or have a work permit"
Travis *******
OP@Steve ******
Thanks a lot for the info. Did you show a rental agreement to get your account or just tell them your address?Steve *******
@Travis ******
yes, I brought a copy of my rental contract.I've heard from multiple expats and tourists that BKK bank in particular is a lot more accepting of foreigners than the other banks.
Good luck, buddy!
Travis *******
OP@Steve ******
That's what I'm hearing as well. Thanks again!
Adrián ******************
Krungsri - Bank of Ayudhya, easy and fast for a non-resident account. Also they give me a debit card in the same day.
Travis *******
OP@Adrián *****************
Thanks for your input.
Honorine ********
Krungsri bank
Travis *******
OP@Honorine *******
Thanks for the info. 
Robert ********
Bangkok Bank was great for me.
Travis *******
OP@Robert *******
Thanks for the help.Benjamin ******
Bangkok Bank, Central World, First floor. You'll need a letter from your embassy saying you live at an address. For Americans, the US Embassy requires that B/S form filled out.
เต๋อ *****
@Benjamin *****
they just give you a run around.
Steve *********
I've opened 2 accounts whilst on 30 day exemptions. HOWEVER I always took my Thai companion with me! Bangkok Bank. No issues.
Ronald *****
@Steve ********
how much money for a foreigner to open an account?Steve *********
@Ronald ****
I opened with 1000 baht but I don't know if there's a limitRonald *****
@Steve ********
thanks for the infoTravis *******
OP@Steve ********
Thanks alot!
Peter *********
UOB not a problem
Wilmont ******
I have three accounts in my name Siam Bank, Bangkok Bank and Thai Farmers Bank. I guess it all depends on the person at the bank. I started mine with only my passport and money for deposit.
Allan ******
May I ask when did you open it and how much thai bath for deposit with the account opening
Wilmont ******
@Allan *****
25k, first account 2005, then 2010 and lastly 2015Allan ******
@Wilmont *****
thanks for ur answerWilmont ******
No just a visa on arrival.
Travis *******
OP@Wilmont *****
Thanks. Were you on a short term visa though?
Elisa *******
TMB is the worst one. I have had an account with them for 12 years and they won't let me open another even though I have a work permit.
Travis *******
OP@Elisa ******
Thanks for the info. 
Frank ******
Bangkok bank Silom always opens account
Michael ********
Yellow one
Travis *******
OP@Michael *******
Thanks Travis *******
OP@Frank *****
Thanks very much. Patrick ************
@Frank *****
that’s at the head office right? Haven’t tried there. Will do, thanks!Frank ******
@Patrick ***********
yes head officePatrick ************
@Frank *****
👍🙏Patrick ************
Tried to open an account with Bangkok Bank yesterday. They won’t do it unless I provide them with a photocopy of my passport that has been signed/stamped by someone from the Belgian embassy here, which involves making an appointment at the embassy (2 days), waiting until I get the stamped copy back ( another 2 days+ Christmas Day holiday), then back to the bank next Monday or so. Just warning you, so you can be prepared. I’m on a non-O visa.
Eric *******
Patrick, it makes no difference in your case (non O or non OA) and for this matter.
One can always succeed in opening a bank account with all kinds of visas (even on a tourist visa or a visa exemption sometimes), depending on the bank and (or) the branch you go to and try your luck with.
But, what I was trying to say is that, if one go to any bank and any branch and can provide a CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCY, it's GUARANTEED 100% that he will be allowed to open a bank account with them.
To obtain this CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCY (valid for 1 month, 300 Thb), you only need to first make sure your landlord has reported you online as his tenant (as he legally should) on their dedicated website.
Cheers.
One can always succeed in opening a bank account with all kinds of visas (even on a tourist visa or a visa exemption sometimes), depending on the bank and (or) the branch you go to and try your luck with.
But, what I was trying to say is that, if one go to any bank and any branch and can provide a CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCY, it's GUARANTEED 100% that he will be allowed to open a bank account with them.
To obtain this CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCY (valid for 1 month, 300 Thb), you only need to first make sure your landlord has reported you online as his tenant (as he legally should) on their dedicated website.
Cheers.
Patrick ************
@Eric ******
Thank you for the information, good to know if I ever have to do this again with another bank. In the mean time the problem got solved in another way. I got that photocopy of my passport stamped by my embassy earlier than expected, and with that Bangkok Bank was ok to open an account for me. I provided my wife’s home address for now as my residency. I’ve also got my 400k THB already transferred to it via TransferWise and it shows up as an international transfer, so I’m all set for whatever immigration can throw at me 😀Eric *******
@Patrick ***********
, Hi Patrick, any bank will allow you to open an account if you can provide a CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCE that you can get from your local immigration office for 300 Thb. Being on a OA visa, it would be easy for ya. Cheers.
Patrick ************
@Eric ******
thanks, but I’m on a non-O visa (married to a Thai), not OA. The address is not the problem, Bangkok Bank wanted a photocopy of my passport that was legalised by the Belgian Embassy. I’ll have that tomorrow, so I should be in the clear. Thanks anyway!Travis *******
OP@Patrick ***********
Thank you kindly for your detailed post.
Lee *******
Bangkok bank as long as you have a residence
Travis *******
OP@Lee ******
I have no rental contract as I live all over the country.Lee *******
Hans *******
Bangkokbank
Travis *******
OP@Hans ******
Thanks for your input. 
Stuart *********
There’s nothing in Thai law that prevents you opening a bank account with a short term visa. Each branch of each bank sets its own rules. Try another branch or another bank.
Travis *******
OP@Stuart ********
Thanks for your input. Activity
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