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Why are banks in Thailand refusing to open accounts for foreigners on a Non-O visa?

Thai Banking System Visa Types Non-Immigrant O Visa Bank Account Opening Foreigners in Thailand Bank Policies Thailand Immigration Financial Services for Expats Thailand Expats Issues

Jul 15, 2025

4 months ago

Michael **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Surprised today going to Bangkok Bank asking to open a bank account based on a 90 day O visa and holding the document provided from the immigration office.

  There answer was that they don’t open anymore account to foreigners even though I explained that I am not on a tourist visa but a O non immigrant one .

  My second attempt was going to Krungsri and all looks well. They copied all my documents and they will call me in two days.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the challenges faced by a foreigner when trying to open a bank account in Thailand while on a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa. The individual experienced rejection from Bangkok Bank despite having the necessary documents, while Krungsri Bank seemed more accommodating. Comments reveal a trend of difficulties among expats with the same visa type in multiple banks, highlighting inconsistencies in account opening policies and the frustration with bureaucratic hurdles related to banking and immigration in Thailand.

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David ****************

My understanding is that all Thai Banks are under pressure to comply with international anti money laundering regulations. Advise I have is that only Krungthai allows agent retirement visa deposits without 4 month freeze and this is unlikely to remain an option for long.

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Mike ******

At a time when Thailand's economy is going down the plughole, no one in Government has a brain. They should grab every foreigner with both hands to ensure they get his money. What do they do - they insert another obstacle - TDAC to dissuade them from coming here.

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Damo ***********

Surprised? Omg… you looking for a shoulder to cry on or something?

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Chris *****

Rules get harder more and more

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Damo ***********

so they should.

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Tony *****

@Damo **********

I take it you have an account so no need to navigate through the nightmare it’s become lately.

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Tony *****

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Ben *******

Go to a visa agent. They will do it all for you

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Damo ***********

agents also finding it hard now to open up bank accounts.

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Ben *******

@Damo **********

.... Yes but they have the contacts. The average Farang does not.

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Damo ***********

not doubting that at all.

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Damo ***********

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Stefan *******

Thailand start to be a fucked up country

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Damo ***********

you are welcome to leave Thailand… I can even pay the taxi fare for you to the airport.

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Stefan *******

@Damo **********

don't worry about that, I will leave thailand later this year. But it is true,it is getting more complicated to stay in thailand then before

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Damo ***********

agree.. it is what it is... still many more positives in staying in Thailand :)

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Stefan *******

@Damo **********

not for me anymore

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Alek *********

bye

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Damo ***********

I think Thailand will be a better place now without

ps. thank you Stefan for leaving 😒😎

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Damo ***********

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Stephen ********

Never had a problem with SCB OR BANGKOK BANK in Hua Hin if you have the required documentation

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Steve ***********

Just curious, has anyone applied at a bank with large stack of bills in their hand?

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Jo **********

@Steve **********

yes

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Bernie *************

and what was the result ?

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Giorgio ******

@Bernie ************

no

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Giorgio ******

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Tony *****

Tried to open account in both SCB and Kasikorn. Non O visa(new stamp) certificate of residency from immigration. Three banks denied me saying I needed either yellow house book or be married to a Thai national. Utterly ridiculous state of affairs.phetchabun area

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Brandon ************

Just keep trying bank branches

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Tony *****

@Brandon ***********

thank mate. I will have a day Phitsanulok tomorrow. Even the nice lady at immigration said keep trying 🤣🤣🤣

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Tony *****

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Peter *****************

I worry that other banks will follow monkey see monkey do.This is Thai culture.

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Anthony ******************

Krungsri is a great bank

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Bobby *********

@Anthony *****************

yes it is a good one

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Bobby *********

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Giraffe *********

In the last month have opened two bank accounts Kasikorn & Krungsri

and closed one Bangkok

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Lucas **********

I will never trust any thai bank again..

Had mine closed and they made me wait 3 weeks to get my money.. wouldnt give me a cent until I went off about it..

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Frangipani *******

Go KBank.

I have BB as well but KBank was super easy to deal with.

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Duncan *******

It was likely the specific branch, not that I'd recommend Bangkok Bank anyway if you've got a Non-Imm visa.

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Traceys *********

hi Duncan, may I ask which bank you think is the best for a non o visa & foreigner ?

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Spencer *******

two different branches of Bangkok Bank have refused me in the last week

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Spencer *******

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Michael ********

another one 🤔

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Pete *******

@Michael *******

not another one, here this particular Bank branch has closed new accounts for Foreigners completely. As you can read the OP was able to open an account with a Non-O at another bank.

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Michael ********

Yes another one, someone having problems with a non o, it's not just that branch and not just that bank, you just don't get it do you, 3 people in the other post as well, I wonder how many people will say this in other posts.

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Pete *******

@Michael *******

the problem here is that the branch is closed to new accounts NOT the documentation required to open an account. Your claim that you cannot now open a bank account on a Non-O is false.

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Michael ********

I have never claimed that you can not open a account, myself and other members have claimed that it very difficult to open one on the first 90 day O visa.

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Pete *******

@Michael *******

and it’s very difficult because?

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Michael ********

some banks do and some don't so you have to travel round looking for a one that deos, which wasn't the case before, if you had the right paperwork you could open a account at any bank.

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Pete *******

@Michael *******

too general, specifically, in your case why did the branch refuse you to open an account, what were you missing?

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Michael ********

they wanted a one year extension not just the 90 days, I explained to them no account no extension 🤔

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Paul *******

@Michael *******

, sorry about the emoji accident.It actually is awful some banks dont want to let you open an account eventhough you have a Non O visa...

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Pete *******

@Michael *******

which branch of which bank and do you have a list of documents required to open an account there?

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Michael ********

kasikorn in Wichian buri Phetchabun, I don't have a list but I had my passport, yellow house book, pink ID, a form stating that I was married and a copy of the original e visa.

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Pete *******

@Michael *******

Wang Chomphu here, so it would be really useful if you could obtain a list of documents required to open a bank account that specifically states that you need to be on an extension of stay in order to open a bank account. At the moment I am leaning towards miscommunication, lost in translation reasons for refusal. If true it would be a game changer for obvious reasons as you cannot get an extension of stay without first obtaining an account.

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Pete *******

@Michael *******

it could simply be the bank teller is embarrassed by her level of English and doesn’t want to interact with you so just denies. Or she can’t be bothered dealing with a foreigner.

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Michael **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I agree !

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Michael ********

that's what I was thinking 👍

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Michael ********

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Chris *********************

Kasikorn is your best bet

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Bobby *********

@Chris ********************

yes it is

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Leslie ********

@Chris ********************

I have a Kasikorn account no problems

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Chris *********************

@Leslie *******

had mine 18 years not 1 problem, my local branch is very good and helpful 👍

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Chris *********************

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Phyl **********

Can go Bangkok bank. But go to those located in small shopping mall. Staff is more friendly and helpful

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James *******

Can you share in which city ? So many posts lately related to issues about opening a new bank account, especially with a new non-O 90 day stamp.

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Tony *****

Kasikorn have rejected my application three times now. I have all of the required documents

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Steve ******

its an absolute minefield 🙉🙉

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Steve ******

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