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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 year ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER11/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.
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.
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.
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
Julian *******
Bangkok bank low me to transfer larger amounts with wise than Krung Thai bank
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...
Jo **********
SCB is wonderful their APP is amazing
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.
TIT.
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.👌🤞
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.👌🤞
Bent *************
In banks, in immigration everything depends on the employe you deal with!
Leng *****
Pretty much the attitude of their EE. Nothing to do with the bank regardless.
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
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.
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.
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.Reply to
Tony *********
Reply
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.👍
Hoffman ******
Use a agent less hassle
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.Hoffman ******
@John ********
I used one when I wasn’t entitled to one . If you can’t get one then don’t complainJohn *********
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.Reply to
John *********
Reply
Joshua **********
Bangkok banks sucks anyways their app is complete trash in comparison to the other large banks apps.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Joshua *********
that makes me happy that Bangkok bank sent me packin’.Jo **********
@Joshua *********
agreeReply to
Jo **********
Reply
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.
Oftentimes it’s easier just to go with an agency.
Reply to
Daniel ********
Reply
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