This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Why did I encounter difficulties opening a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O marriage visa?

Non-O Visa Bank Account Opening Retirement Visa Requirements Thai Immigration Bank Experience Expat Advice

Apr 11, 2025

2 days ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

11/Apr/2025 I just went to Bangkok Bank in Ratchaburi province to attempt to open a bank account. The bank employee had 100 reasons for denying me and no reasons to help me. The biggest hurdle I was unable to jump over. It was…my visa had to state “retirement” in my passport. Well, I have a Non-O marriage visa and it doesn’t state “retirement”. My Thai wife and I both looked at each other and decided it was hopeless.

We went to Krungthai bank and they rolled out the red carpet for us. They were looking for reasons to help us. Smooth sailing at Krungthai.

2,723

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The author shares their experience attempting to open a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O marriage visa, highlighting the obstacles faced at Bangkok Bank, specifically a requirement for a retirement visa. Despite this setback, they found success at Krungthai Bank, contrasting the helpfulness of the latter with the unwillingness of the former. Comments from other users echo similar experiences, discussing the inconsistencies in bank policies, employee attitudes, and offering tips on navigating the process successfully.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.★★★★★

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

Von ***********

Employee BIAS is a real thing, maybe their friend or cousin had a romantic connection with a FARANG that went sour and so now they make it their mission to pay back any Farang they cross paths with in their capacity at the bank.

TIT.

a day ago

John *********

Hicksville …go to Bangkok, it’s all possible or not but I know a few who have opened savings accounts recently.

Always need perseverance in Thailand.

SCB or KBank can be productive, you definitely need a Thai mobile registered to your address, just tell them you are making a large deposit, only speak to the branch manager, waste of time dealing with gatekeepers.

There’s no hard and fast rule here but a lot of westerners will say it’s not possible.

Keep us posted when you hit the promised land.👌🤞

a day ago

Bent *************

In banks, in immigration everything depends on the employe you deal with!

2 days ago

Leng *****

Pretty much the attitude of their EE. Nothing to do with the bank regardless.

2 days ago

Jesper *******

Congrats on your success well that's the way to do it keep trying until some bank allows u.....even the sane bank but different branches can have different out come....I recently just opened one with SCB with non O 1yr extension and my thai driving licence noting else and it does help if u can speak thai they believe u are here long enough to have one

2 days ago

Lloyd *********

It's not always the bank per se, but their employees. It's often too difficult for them to comprehend so it's easier just to say "cannot".

I opened a BBK account on an OA visa ok and use their app daily, QR, Prompt pay etc, but cannot pay PEA or AIS prepay with it, minor inconvenience.

2 days ago

Tony *********

@Lloyd ********

that's also the case with the Krungsri bank app. It won't accept a scan of the PEA QR code. But it works with Kasikorn which is my favorite bank. Also no problem with AIS prepay.

2 days ago

Reply to

Tony *********

Lion *****************************

even branches of the same bank have different 'understandings' of the rules! Just keep trying different banks and different branches till one says yes!.. just like you did ! well done.👍

2 days ago

Hoffman ******

Use a agent less hassle

2 days ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Hoffman *****

we can’t use an agent. It would make us feel as if we lost that battle. It’s not the cost of the agent, it’s the principle.

a day ago

Reply to

John *********

Joshua **********

Bangkok banks sucks anyways their app is complete trash in comparison to the other large banks apps.

2 days ago

Daniel ********

Had a similar experience unfortunately. Opening a Thai bank account is one of the most notorious catch 22’s: need a bank account for a visa extension, but need a visa extension for a bank account.

Oftentimes it’s easier just to go with an agency.

2 days ago

Reply to

Daniel ********

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Join the Group

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand for expats with a Non-O visa?

83 comments