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

Thai BankingVisa RequirementsNon-O VisaExpats in ThailandBank Account OpeningKrungthai BankBangkok BankImmigration Issues
Apr 11, 2025
a month 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.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user had a difficult experience attempting to open a bank account at Bangkok Bank in Ratchaburi due to a requirement that their visa state 'retirement', which their Non-O marriage visa did not. After facing refusal, they successfully opened an account at Krungthai Bank. The comments from other users shared similar frustrations and offered advice, indicating inconsistencies among bank employees and suggesting perseverance in finding assistance at various branches.
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.
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Julian *******
Bangkok bank low me to transfer larger amounts with wise than Krung Thai bank
a month ago
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John **********
when i go to the Bangkok bank at the ringping they refuse to let me open a account..i go to the Bangkok bank near my house at the same day...no problem...
a month ago
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Jo **********
SCB is wonderful their APP is amazing
a month ago
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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 month ago
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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 month ago
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Bent *************
In banks, in immigration everything depends on the employe you deal with!
a month ago
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Leng *****
Pretty much the attitude of their EE. Nothing to do with the bank regardless.
a month ago
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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
a month ago
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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.
a month ago
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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.
a month ago
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Tony *********
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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.👍
a month ago
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Hoffman ******
Use a agent less hassle
a month ago
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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 month ago
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Hoffman ******
@John ********
 I used one when I wasn’t entitled to one . If you can’t get one then don’t complain
a month ago
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John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Hoffman *****
 good point, I guess. My post wasn’t a complaint. It’s not that we can’t get an agent, it’s that we won’t.
a month ago
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John *********
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Joshua **********
Bangkok banks sucks anyways their app is complete trash in comparison to the other large banks apps.
a month ago
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John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joshua *********
 that makes me happy that Bangkok bank sent me packin’.
a month ago
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Jo **********
@Joshua *********
 agree
a month ago
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Jo **********
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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.
a month ago
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Daniel ********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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