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Answered4 days ago

Which banks in Phuket allow account opening with a Retirement 90-day visa?

Paolo ********
asked Oct 23, 2026
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I will be coming into Phuket on a Retirement 90 day visa. Can anyone recommend a bank that will allow me to open an account with this visa. I ask because I have a friend who has been into a few banks there for me asking and they have told him they will not open an account with this visa.
Answer summary
The inquiry discusses difficulties in opening a bank account in Phuket with a Retirement 90-day visa. Multiple comments suggest several banks including Kasikorn, SCB, and Krungsri, with varying success rates reported based on branch experiences. Requirements generally include a passport, a Thai SIM card, and proof of residence, but some branches may apply additional scrutiny. Users recommend visiting banks that frequently deal with foreigners and being prepared to try different branches to find one that will accept the documents.
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Paolo ********
Paolo ********
OP
Predictably not one person could recommend a bank in Phuket to open an account with, surely someone in this group has opened an account in Phuket and can recommend a branch?
Jeff *************
Jeff *************
Kasikorn usually follows the rules set bi immigration, go in ask what they need to open get all of it return with what they need open account
Brian *****************
Brian *****************
Your friend is poor.
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
The minimum requirement for opening a bank account is always a long-term visa, meaning at least a Non-Immigrant Visa type, or LTR or an Elite Privilege visa.

The Non-Imm O visa can be either for marriage to a Thai wife, or for support of a half-Thai child, or for retirement, or for just any other “reason” the numerous Non-Imm-visa types get issued for.

Some bank employees will claim you need a work permit, but this is a fabrication and simply not true.

You cannot open a bank account on a tourist visa or visa-exempt entry visa (you can, yet only possible at a very high cost through a handful of agents).

To open a Thai bank account all by yourself, you must first be registered at a residence using a TM30 form.

Then you obtain a "certificate of residence" from Immigration, in which Immigration requests the specific branch of a bank (!) to open an account for you.

Some banks are satisfied if you show a long-term rental contract.

You will also need a Thai mobile phone number. The SIM card must be registered in your name and passport number. Show the COR at the phone shop (but don't hand it over!) and ask for confirmation of the registration (or likewise a note about it on the receipt).

Some banks require a second piece of identification next to your passport, like a national driver’s license.

If bank employees become uncooperative and keep making up new requirements to get rid of you, go to another bank (I recommend Krungsri, Kasikorn and SCB bank). Avoid Bangkok bank at any costs.

If it still doesn't work after several attempts, use an agent, for example in Pattaya, this shouldn’t cost more than 5000 Baht if you have entered on a valid Non-Imm-O Visa
John *********
John *********
Kasikorn bank, im with great bank
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
So why do some banks refuse, surely if you have a phone with Thailand number, so bank van load their app and set it up for you passport with Non O visa, letter/ cert from immigration, how can they refuse.
Graham ******
Graham ******
Graeme Drake because they don't want to do business with you
Warwick ******
Warwick ******
Graeme Drake TIT - because they can & will......
Zach *********
Zach *********
Try government savings bank
Jesper *******
Jesper *******
Kasikorn , SCB or krungsri.....passport with 90days nonO , thai sim under your name , residency cert, lease agreement ....if that particular branch doesn't allow u to open acct just go to the next one.....go to branches that deals with foreigners alot .....some bank staffs that are not familiar with foreigners will come out of excuses to reject u
Paul *******
Paul *******
Jesper Ngiam. I don't think my local Kasikorn had ever opened an account for a westerner but were super friendly and helpful and I got an account within 2 hours with the documents that you stated in your comment
Ray ********
Ray ********
No issues with Kasikorn , but I'm in Hua Hin . I hear some people did have issues with Kasikorn, maybe the individual branch.
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Ray Low-On The problem is also these guys that moan about the banks and saying they will not open an account we don't know how they approached the bank paperwork wise and attitude. As I have said previously opened at BKK Bank no problems for 5 years now. Even went in with replacement passport last year couldn't get signature to look like the one when I opened the account 5 years in the end lady showed me the signature, did my best , all ok.
Tam *****
Tam *****
Didn’t you have to already have a bank account with
*****
0 baht in it to get the 90 day one?
Dave ******
Dave ******
Tam Ara no.
Tam *****
Tam *****
Dave Owen which part no?
Ant ***********
Ant ***********
Tam Ara

That has to be done as soon as you open the Thai bank account

Having a Non-O Visa from home country is the way to open the account
Ronny *********
Ronny *********
There is no other way, you need the Non-O first i put the list to do again and there no things that can be done in an other order 1. Apply for a 90 day non-O retirement visa online at your countries embassy/consulate.

2. Enter Thailand using the visa.

3. Go to your local immigration office the next day to get a residence certificate and whilst you are there get the list of requirements to extend your stay and the form.

4. Get a Thai sim card for your phone linked to your passport.

5. Open a bank account using your non-O visa and residence certificate and sim card phone number + usually an additional form of id like a driving licence. You might need to try several banks to find a farang friendly one, so do this within the first week of arrival.

6. Transfer 800,000 baht into your Thai bank account.

7. Wait 2 months for your money to season, then return to immigration with all of the information provided on their list, the completed form and 1,900 baht in cash to get your extension.

8. The 800,000 baht may partly used during the first year but never may reach lower than
*****
0 baht, when needing a prolongation there must be
*****
0 bath again

Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application).

2. Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

3. Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant’s application is submitted.

4. Applicant must have a bank deposit of Account balance no less than 800,000 Baht

5. Hotel booking or accommoddation arrangements.

6. Itinerary showing flight from home country to Thailand and flight out of Thailand.

For the proof of where you rent you need =

Signed copy of the Landlord's Thai ID card (or passport if the landlord is a foreigner).

Signed copy of the Blue Book (Tabien Baan, which shows the registered house/condo details and ownership).

Signed copy of the Chanote (Title Deed) or proof of ownership.

Rental / Lease Agreement signed by both you and the landlord.

TM.30 Receipt (Notification of foreign resident arrival submitted by the landlord to immigration).

Hand-drawn map showing the location of your residence (often required by local immigration offices, sometimes signed or verified).

Other request from the IO (like photo's of the house, photo of you standing the house,... It is up to the IO
Tam *****
Tam *****
Ant W Tailor what if your already here on tourist visa? Any way to do it then without the bank account for the 90day non o until you get the non o?
Brad ********
Brad ********
Tam Ara agent or letter from IO for visa change and expect to pay an insurance premium to help the process along.
Simon *******
Do not use Bangkok bank.
Donald **********
Stop sending your friend ahead of you to sow misinformation and confusion. Do your own legwork with the correct information when you arrive!
Colin ********
Kasikorn
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
What's a 90 retirement visa ? You mean a Non O visa ?
Graham ******
Graham ******
Kevin Dunne yes
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
You’ll just need to pound the streets and ask individual branches. As Graham mentioned a phone number and residence certificate from immigration will be needed.

All branches should open an account but it’s up to the individual manager as to whether they will.
Graham ******
Graham ******
Get a Residence Certificate from Immigration and ensure you have a Thai sim registered against your passport as you'll need these

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