Which Thai banks can open accounts for visa-exempt tourists?

No personal experience but you can get a local MasterCard Debit without opening a bank account from

@SUPE*****

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Details:

They just confirmed by Line that the card is still available.

You gotta have an account with an ap - if for no other reason that Instant electronic payments are so common and popular here.

You can get a virtual debit card. Google it.

There are no banks in Thailand that are "keen" to open an account for ordenary farangs!

None are keen, but some BKK bank branches will help. Depends on the mgr.

For me, Bangkok Bank, Kao San Road branch, but only once I mentionned that I was in the proces to retire in Thailand. Good luck 🤞

Bangkok Bank ,Chang Rai opened very easily with letter of residence also very easy to obtain from Chang Rai immigration.

400 baht for ATM card

500 baht initial deposit.

500 baht letter of residence from immigration.

🙏🙏

Bangkok bank worked for me, cost 200b for the card, they needed me to show visa printed out (i had TR60), TM30 and certificate of residence, and of course passport

Here’s a follow-up question, does any Thai bank offer Visa or Mastercard pre-paid credit cards. For security reasons, I don’t want to use my debit or credit cards for online shopping.

Stock answer as asked many many times on here.

Classic Catch-22. You need a bank account for a long term visa but Bank Manager says you can’t open an account without a long term visa.

There is nothing in Thai law that prohibits a foreigner from opening a bank account - with or without a long term visa or work permit. That said each branch of each bank has its own rules and some won’t allow it yet some will. If one branch won’t allow it walk along to the next one. Try shopping mall branches, or ones close to an international school who are well used to people needing an account but have no long term visa.

If you’re in a major city or tourist centre then you’ll more likely have luck at some branch. Ask in a local Facebook group for that area who’s had success and what bank/branch. If you’re in the boondocks in Nakhon Si Nowhere then you may be out of luck.

Some banks/branches will ask you to take out a insurance policy to open an account. You may get away politely refusing, as they know it’s not mandatory, but probably won’t.

Some may want a “proof of residence” from an embassy or immigration. Again another classic Catch-22. A number of immigration offices will only issue this is if you’ve done a 90 day report, but you need a long term visa to have done a 90 day report. You may have better luck at your embassy, but don’t hold your breath.

Taking a Thai friend along may help in some instances, but no guarantee you’ll get an easier acceptance.

Perhaps show a wad of cash and say I need to deposit this somewhere. Again it may not help.

Unfortunately it’s just hit and miss.

Failing any luck yourself put a shout out for an agent to help. Generally visa agents offer a bank account opening service. Expect cost to be circa 5,000 baht.