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Which banks in Thailand allow account opening without a visa?
Thai Bank AccountVisa RequirementsExpat Banking in ThailandNon-O VisaAccount Opening ProcessBank Policies in Thailand
May 7, 2025
a year ago
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat banks let me open a Thai account without a visa ? Any help thanks š
TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus among community members is that opening a Thai bank account without a visa is extremely difficult, especially after recent regulatory changes. Some respondents mentioned that certain banks may have allowed this in the past, but due to tightened AML/KYC procedures, banks now require a long-term visa or specific documentation. A few users mentioned successful experiences using agents or providing additional documentation, but these cases appear to be exceptions rather than the norm. Overall, many suggested seeking help from agents for account opening, though this can involve higher fees.
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Pelle Erikssonā
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Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.ā
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Kevin *******
People so stupidā¦.. go to a bank in person and ask them . Are you that stupid or lazy
Jordee ******
None. No way
Dragan **********
None do
Timur ************
In TrueMoney you can have virtual Mastercard. Need only passport and Thai phone number
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Timur ***********
good man Iāll try that aswell nowReply to
Ryan *******
Reply
O'nthe *****
People were saying it was impossible 15 years ago when I opened an account with Kasikorn, near Tuc com.
I took my passport, Thai phone number, my address which was the hotel I was staying at.
I was in 3 months ago to deposit funds and mentioned my card was due to expire when I would be out of Thailand and coi have a replacement.
Normally the card would expire in 3 years, however I was delighted to see the new card expiry date was 2034
Oh, and I have only visited Thailand on holiday, maximum 1 month
I took my passport, Thai phone number, my address which was the hotel I was staying at.
I was in 3 months ago to deposit funds and mentioned my card was due to expire when I would be out of Thailand and coi have a replacement.
Normally the card would expire in 3 years, however I was delighted to see the new card expiry date was 2034
Oh, and I have only visited Thailand on holiday, maximum 1 month
Phil *******
Get at least a tourist visa first. Even then it may not be easy. It varies from bank to bank and even varies between branches of the same bank. Many more people use agents but that will cost you more money.
Greta *****
Marriage bank(rufcy)
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERFor all the people that said it canāt be done WELL IT CAN AND I DID so fuck you š¤£ thanks for ur useless advice
Josh ********
@Ryan ******
thatās why they call it advice. Not all of it is equal.Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Josh *******
true thatReply to
Ryan *******
Reply
Dan *******
@Ryan ******
can you PM me how it went? Iām trying to do the same.Reply to
Dan *******
Reply
Patrick ********
My agent tells me very difficult
Arnold **********
All of them
Brunt *******
Everything is about money š
Robert *********
Thanks for asking this again itās been 2 days now
Klering ******
0
Frankie *******
At walking st where u make a deposit n the thai woman will suck u dry n sent u home broke
Kieren **********
I opened one with bankok bank on a 30 day visa was easy got my eftpost card while I was there
Pete *******
The Bank of Thailand, the Thai regulator has issued an instruction to all Thai banks to tighten up their AML/KYC procedures due to the mule account clamp down. Anyone without a long term visa can now not open a bank account. Will there be a specific branch where itās possible, sure, but as of now it is all but impossible.
David *******
I found Bkk bank easy.
Phil *********
Go see an agent
Adrian *******
Years back, I opened one with Kasikorn. All they needed was a Thai address.. i used a friends address. Think may have changed now.
Ronald *************
Also ich kann dazu sagen das mir keine Bank in Thailand ein Konto erƶffnen wollte ( ohne Visum ) auch mit einer festen Adresse( yello Book ) und thailƤndischen Ausweis fĆ¼r AuslƤnder.. mit der BegrĆ¼ndung es fehlt die Bindung zum Land ( Heirat Kind Visum ). Ich wollte das Rentner Visum beantragen ( in Laos ) aber da wollen sie ja ein Konto in Thailand mit einer gewissen Summe. Also beiĆt sich der Hund im Schwanz! Und ich war auf mehreren Banken auch Bangkok Bang und hatte sogar ein schreiben der Immigrations Behƶrde!!!
Alan *********
It depends from the bank. But yes someone did it successfully
Martin *****
Disneyland
Noel ********
Different appetite now
Tony *********
Krungsri
Pertti *************
If you don't live and work or doing business here just use your foreign credit cardš
Henrik *****
Search before asking a question, this is answered multiple times every single day.
Claus *********
OMG šØ.. Please donāt ask Facebook groups this .. plenty of good free tools like Google, chatgpt etc. The short answer: Yes you can.. But also very different experience from Bank to Bank. Suggest to Bangkok Bank and go to your embassy for the documents they require .. dress nicely, ask them to call the an english speaking customer service .. often bad english is reason for objection dress nicely and keep ur cool !
Grandpappa **********
I went to a bank in Bangkok and said I had a million euros in money, where can I put it? Surprisingly, the account was opened quickly. I only had 500 euros in money.
Dean *******
Not what you know it's who you know.
Tim *******
I got one with Krungsri no problem, had no visa we are still living in UK, used the wife's mums home address in Thailand... hardest part was getting my Signature the same they made my do my Signature about 10 times before the excepted it
Rohmin *******
@Tim ******
are you saying you did it online?Tim *******
@Rohmin ******
no I went into the bank.Reply to
Tim *******
Reply
Kate *******
Illegal š¬
Tommy ********
Youāre a tourist. Youāre not entitled to a bank account.
Could you do this in other countries? Thailand isnāt a free for all
Could you do this in other countries? Thailand isnāt a free for all
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tommy *******
yes it isMax **********
@Tommy *******
your talking rubbish Tommy .. ofcourse you can open a bank account in thailand without visa. Some banks will, some banks won't. Just try a few and one will.open. I opened one 3 weeks ago in NonthaburiKristian ********
@Tommy *******
yes it is.Reply to
Kristian ********
Reply
ą¹ąø«ąø„ąø” *******
They changed the rules and now it's very difficult to do. Use agents 20-25k.
Josh ********
Not strictly relevant, but I was able to do it in Bali within three weeks on a tourist visaānot to mention live there 5 years.
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Josh *******
exactly you can do almost anything here people are so full of themselves and so far up their own ass they canāt see sunlight for shitReply to
Ryan *******
Reply
Add **********
Thai privilege account? Open with 10k
Sornsawan **********************
Nope
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERReply to
Ryan *******
Reply
David ********
Bangkok I got mine in 2 hours with agency 5000 baht
Ya *****
@David *******
what agency did you use mate?David ********
@Ya ****
mot services.Ya *****
******************************
Ya *****
@David *******
cool thanksReply to
Ya *****
Reply
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *******
thanks mate a lot of people have recommended places at least some people on here have some common sense the others god help them all š¤£š¤£š¤£David ********
@Ryan ******
mot services.Peter **********
@Ryan ******
Who taught you to become so rude?Jordan *******
@Peter *********
heās British and has a big mouth on himHeās got a right broken nose, safe to say that mouth of his got him that
Reply to
Jordan *******
Reply
Fred *********
I got one 10 weeks ago. Used an agent. Cost 5000 baht.
Apparently it's harder now, and costs more. Need to look at agents though.
Apparently it's harder now, and costs more. Need to look at agents though.
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fred ********
your the second to say this to me so must still be do ableBrandon ************
@Ryan ******
it is still doable with an agent. But 10 weeks ago is a long time. The prices have increased dramatically. It's now 12-15k for a bank account.Krissy ********
@Brandon ***********
paying 12-15k to open a bank account is scammer territoryBrandon ************
@Krissy *******
I agree that it's an outrageous price. But some people are willing to pay it. Given the current environment around banking in Thailand, either get a long-term visa or pay that high fee.Fred *********
@Krissy *******
It's just a decent night outRyan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
pocket change thatReply to
Ryan *******
Reply
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fred ********
can you pm the agents name thanksPhil ******
@Ryan ******
rules changed march. I have 4 to try in Pattaya to tryFred *********
@Ryan ******
Your going to have to go in person though. There in PattayaRyan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fred ********
yes pm me mate Iām in Pattaya nowFred *********
@Ryan ******
One stop services. At the bottom of soi 6 near beach road. Left hand side.Reply to
Fred *********
Reply
Carlos *********
Maybe a piggy bank? š
Red *************
Get an agent
Brett *****
Ffs a real question??????
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brett ****
be quietBrett *****
@Ryan ******
maybe take own adviceRyan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brett ****
noReply to
Ryan *******
Reply
Steven **********
Bangkok bank
Phil ******
@Steven *********
nopePaul ********
@Steven *********
Bangkok bank did that in January or was it February for my friend. Passport, house book, Thai phone number and deposit 5000 bath. Had 6O days tourist visa. Managed that in one hourPhil ******
@Paul *******
march the rules changedPeter **********
@Paul *******
Irrelevant to the O.P.ās question then. Did you see the āwithout a visaā mention?Steven **********
@Paul *******
yes correctReply to
Steven **********
Reply
Brett *****
@Steven *********
no they don'tTerry ********
@Brett ****
such blanket statements. ā No they donāt, yes they doā. The truth is some banks do, some donāt. Some branches do, some branches donāt. Nothing in Thailand is cut and dry. Each branch of each bank has their own requirements.Steven **********
@Brett ****
yes they doReply to
Steven **********
Reply
Kevin ******
I think it got more difficult from February. Possible but harder.
Andrew **************
Try to obtain a Residence Cert from Immigration and show this to the Bank. They may accept this and allow you to open an Acct. Maybe worth asking the Bank first, before you go to the trouble of obtaining the Residence Cert.
Woody *********
@Andrew *************
I tried this with K and bkk banks and was not successful. February 2025ę³**
@Andrew *************
, different bank as requested different thingsReply to
ę³**
Reply
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThis isnāt true tho as I have heard of a few people getting one without a visa , I will have my DTV in the next
***
weeks after Iāve finished travelling and will go Cambodia for the processJames ******
@Ryan ******
im currently in Thailand and have been to plenty of banks they are not interested at the moment for foreign accounts unless you have correct paper workBrandon ************
@Ryan ******
it used to be easy. Now it's impossibleRyan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
surely itās not impossible tho ? Is there any banks do it at their own discretion is there a law that stops foreigners owning or opening a bank account without a visaBrandon ************
@Ryan ******
no, but I haven't seen anyone report success without a visa in months. The government has now made banks responsible for all fraud. Therefore they've stopped taking any risks at all. No long term visa, no bank account.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Giles ************
But if Iāve understood correctly, in order to get a retirement visa, you have to have deposited a certain amount in a Thai bank account. Have I missed something?
Michael ***********
@Giles ***********
You have things in reverse order. You get an initial Non-O Visa let's say, for 3 months. You take your Visa to bank to show evidence for a long stay. THEN you can open up a bank account for purposes for the Visa(then will get 12 more months on Visa. Then renew once a year.Giles ************
@Michael **********
ah, thank you! Now I understand.Michael ***********
@Giles ***********
My pleasureReply to
Michael ***********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Giles ***********
you get visas from embassies. No Thai bank account required.Brandon ***********
@Brandon ***********
you know this is a damn lie. What type of moderator are you š¤Brandon ************
@Brandon **********
what is a lie? You use the e-visa system to apply for a visa. That's how it's supposed to be done. No Thai bank account required. Then when you get to Thailand you use the visa to open the bank account and deposit the money you'll need for the 1-year extension.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Steve ******
@Brandon ***********
Where do we put the 800k?Brandon ************
@Steve *****
in your bank account at home. You apply for the 90-day non-O visa from the embassy using ANY bank account. Then you go to Thailand, use the visa to open a bank account and transfer the money there, and that enables you to apply for the 1-year extension. That's the proper way to do it.Giles ************
@Steve *****
yes, thatās the one!Reply to
Giles ************
Reply
Neil ********
If you are not planning on staying then they donāt want you
Jordan *******
@Neil *******
thatās funny because 5 year DTV holders canāt even get oneReply to
Jordan *******
Reply
Michael *******
None! Very difficult now!
Paul ********
@Michael ******
my friend opened one account now in January 2025 at Bangkok Bank. She show her house book, passport and her Thai phone number and deposit 5000 bath, and for thet she get one year insurance also, and she only have 60 days tourist visa. They managed that in 1 hourNoel ********
@Paul *******
I find that hard to believe ā¦ How long ago was that?Jay **********
@Paul *******
that was in January, BEFORE the rule change ;)Reply to
Jay **********
Reply
Daniel ********
Brother it can be a nightmare to open a Thai bank account even WITH a visa. Donāt bother.
Sel *****
@Daniel *******
I have the elite visa 20 years and they tried to scam me with the āmandatory 1 year insuranceā at Kasikorn. Went to Krungsri and got the account for free.Daniel ********
@Sel ****
as it should be. You had a valid visašš»This dimwit has none.Sel *****
@Daniel *******
Yeah what I meant to say even with a proper visa they try to scam. She insisted the insurance is mandatory. And itās not true.Reply to
Sel *****
Reply
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel *******
what stupid adviceDaniel ********
@Ryan ******
stupid questions get stupid responses.Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel *******
the only stupid one here is you , CLOWNDaniel ********
@Ryan ******
you claim itās āeasyā yet are struggling to do it yourself. Thatās maximum stupidity, old man.Reply to
Daniel ********
Reply
Gunner **********
@Daniel *******
nah. It's easy.Todd *******
@Gunner *********
might have been early 2023. It really was a none event so canāt recall exactly.Daniel ********
@Todd ******
you wouldnāt be able to do that today. New, strict requirements as of February 2025.Reply to
Daniel ********
Reply
Todd *******
@Gunner *********
November 2022Todd *******
@Gunner *********
go into the bank and ask to open an account. That is all I needed to do. No visa at the time. I think it will depend on the bank.Daniel ********
@Todd ******
and when exactly did you open your account ?Reply to
Daniel ********
Reply
Daniel ********
@Gunner *********
depends.Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gunner *********
yes it is people just are unawareJordan *******
@Ryan ******
people are unaware? 2 hours ago you were just asking WhAt bAnKs LeT me OpEn A ThAi AcCount
Explain how you get one then?
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jordan ******
Iāll know when I meet the agent or friend of the person who works in the bank believe me when I get a Thai bank which I will Iāll be the first to come message all you bell ends and show them proof of itReply to
Ryan *******
Reply
Harry ********
Uob but you have to put
*****
and leave for three monthsHenrik *****
That is more than 225 ATM fees, just use the ATM.
ę³**
@Harry *******
,I just open UOB three months ago, they requested a statement with prove of monthly interest from another bank,Reply to
ę³**
Reply
Chatchanan **************
No kaaa
Chris ******
Bank of Dreams
Nick *******
Never-Ever Bank and Trust.
Brandon ************
None
Ji *************
@Brandon ***********
I opened 2 bank accounts at the Kasikorn bank on a 60 day tourist visa back in February this year. One to store my 400k and the other for daily use. I had been back in the country less than a week when I opened it.It all depends on what information you hold. Im married to a Thai and are listed on her family house paper.
We have documents such as wedding certificates and house docs that date back 20+years.
Iām guessing that without these documents I wouldnāt have been able to open the account.
Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
Bangkok bank did that for my friend in January/February who had 60 days tourist visa. One hour and account was in her nameHenrik *****
Things changed to the worse since january.
Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.
That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.
Donāt expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.
Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isnāt a guaranteed way to open an account.
The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.
Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.
That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.
Donāt expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.
Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isnāt a guaranteed way to open an account.
The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.
Tony *********
@Paul *******
I tried in March and could not get oneDenny *******
@Paul *******
same for me m8Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *******
yes seems to be if you pay you get the same people on saying you canāt and its impossible are probably quadruple vaccinated and Iāll say no morePhil ******
@Ryan ******
time to try agents in Pattaya mate. Some advertise they can still do. O can suggest some if you requireReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Denny *******
@Brandon ***********
I got one no problemFrank **********
@Denny ******
yes it is a problem for many people.Brandon ************
@Denny ******
when? 3 years ago? 1 year ago? 2 months ago? Unless you got it last week, your experience is no longer relevant.Brad *******
@Brandon ***********
Brandon Thurkettle this isnāt true. I got one in 2006! ļ漚 jokingDenny *******
@Brandon ***********
Aug 24Phil ******
@Denny ******
rules changed this year in March. You can't without an agent nowBrandon ************
@Denny ******
exactly. Your experience is not relevant to the current situation in Thailand. Things have changed drastically in just the last month.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Ryan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Denny ******
pm me mateDenny *******
@Ryan ******
in what way ?Henrik *****
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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?*********************************************************************************************
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77-foreigners-face-new-hurdles-in-opening-thai-bank-accounts/Be aware there is a error in the start of the article ( and several other copy - paste media with the same article )
A Thai Bankaccount has never been a requirement to get DTV, on the contrary it has been one of the big advantage over other visa, that you could get DTV as long as you could show 500.000 Baht equivalent in any bank anywhere in the world.
It has never been the intention that DTV visaholders should be in need of a Thai bankaccount.
****************************************************
*****
929?Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
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