Crisu

not sure he even went but i went into the branch on tuesday to ask them as pass it all the time and basically all you need is certified copy of passport from embassy although personally i would take rental agreement or house book too, they said just need to passport certified. see below

 

Get your passport certified at the embassy on wireless road (if british) and after take a cab or walk to Abdulrahim Place (if canadian it's in the same building as your embasyy) on Rama 4. Close by

 

As you walk in the front entrance you will see Bangkok Bank (behind the canadian embassy desk) Go in there and you will be greeted most likely by a big thai bloke and he'll sort your ticket for you. (Let's call him Somchai)

 

All you need is your passport and the certified copy from the embassy but it may be worth taking rental agreement also just in case. (although he did not say it was required, take it anyway or housebook depending on your circumstances) confirmed already- no work permit required

 

Go there then please report back and let us know how you got on.

 

Good luck

Which brach, location?

I was at many bkk banks in dez 18 all refusef without work permit. I hold already an old account with bangkok bank in patong and they refused to open a fixed deposit without work permit

 

go back through the thread

Did he report he succeed with account opening???

i think you will find i walked into a bank 2 days ago to confirm, gave him the location of the bank and what he was required to take but you enjoy your little spout off at the thread

Comment without any info.

Give me the branch+perso you open the account and wha document are required. I am in bkk now and will check it out here.

Most posted experience here about successful account opening without work permit is older then 1 year and of not much help now because outdated info.

 

UOB bank is the one to go without work permit!!

I opened there in jan 18 without work permit, non immigrant or condo.

All other THAI banks refused.

 

But ok, up to you guys. Report your experience here how easy it was to open an account in 2015 with bangkok bank or krungsri, and just need nice dress, try many branches, need only passport bla bla.

 

Complete useless and always same discussion every time someone ask for helb regarding bank account opening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 years ago i walked into Bangkok Bank in Sukhumvit road with a 30 day tourist visa, deposited a thousand quid, i got a visa debit card also ATM usage, and went back to the UK so whats the problem >>?

The problem is this was 4 years ago. Outdated info i read so many times here. 

Times have changed since then. I also open my old account some years ago with passport only (bangkok bank in patong)

 

Today, same bank/branch where i am still holding my old savings account even not want to open fixed deposit ~300.000n for me without work permit which i not have.

 

You cant compare the situation some years ago to open an account with the current situation which is quite different.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting and also very strange. When i opened my bank account it was no problem and the only person who i talked with was the girl at the desk who opened it for me. (I have a normal account, online banking, money transfer, pay bills, and so on)
I talked with the branch manager today when i called and he told me these requirements. It's a bit sad that you don't know if you really talked with the manager.

Well i did not want to make big story and did not requested branch boss since i was not really interested to open the account and she called already 2 other bank stuff for help so there were 3 around me and i was not sure one of them was the boss.

But ok. If someone only have passport can try krungsri at central rama. You get limited account but not need other documentation (only pasdport) and if someone want account with all normal function must request branch manager.

Sent from my SM-T800 using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

 

 

 

 

I opened my Bank account at Krungsri Central Rama 9 branch about 1.5 years ago with a tourist Visa (or Visa exempt, not sure) and a 6 months (or more) rental

 

I was at central plaza rama9, krugsri bank branch today:

 

 

 

I asked the girl i want open a savings account+debit card:

 

We need work permit+passport.

 

I no have work permit.

 

Sorry, can not open account

 

But my friend open an account last year with your branch manager with only passport+room rental. Thats why i came to your branch here.

 

'Lady called then 2 other stuff. I am not sure it was the manager'

 

Mr., if you have no work permit we can open special account just with your passport.

 

"Wow, i was thinking, what a surprise. But then one more surprise'

 

Can i have internet banking?

 

NO

 

Can i habe app on phone?

 

NO

 

Can i transfer money to pay my room rent in thailand?

 

NO

 

Can i transfer minex at ATM

 

NO

 

Can i make fixed deposit ~300.000b for 1 year?

 

NO

 

What can i do with the account?

 

You can have savings accout+can cash money at ATM. This is very special account for foreigners without work permit.

 

'I forgot to ask if i can pay in a shop with this debit card'

 

I left then.

 

I never heared before about this kind of account but in my opinion useless.

The other krungsri branches that i visited last year just refused to open an account wirhout work permit.

This was a new story. But also interesting they only offered it to me when i told them a friend opened last year at same branch just with passport+room contact.

The more interesting was this time they even not asked for room contract. Just passport.

 

I really would like to know if this account would be limited this way in reality.

If someone want to try it go to central plaza rama, MRT station Phra Ram 9.

 

But i would really recommend to avoid checking 100 thai bank/brances without work permit or cond.

 

Its more hassle free in that case just go to UOB bank nowadays.

You get savings account, fixed deposit Visa debit, internet banking with NO limitation.

And all this with no work permit or codo but must show thai adress.

It was possible in jan. 18 in bkk (i only asked 1 branch in silom in silom complex)

and later i opened the account in patong wit the same documents they requested me in bkk.

So this is very recent info.

 

But ok, each his own, if someone has time checking several thai banks without work permit.

I have not read any recent report from someone at which branch exactly he could open an account at a thai bank recently without work permit.

Except my own experience with krungsri tpday in central rama but this account is useless in my opinion.

 

But again, bkk is big. Maybe somone find a branch to open an account without limitation somewhere.

 

But i also repeat: why do this hassle if UOB+CIMB bank offer to open a savings account without limitation and no need of work permit.

 

I have an old bangkok bank account with visa which i opened several years ago only with my passport.

But my visa will expire next year and my own branch where i am holding a savings account refused to open a fixed deposit.

 

Since visa is also not available at bangkok bank i was looking for another bank and could not succeed at any thai bank.

 

Krungsri at central rama was a surprise today:

 

Need only passport but account very limited.

 

I did not wanted to check this account and open it because i opened alread with UOB ladt month. If really limited it is of no use to me but i am not sure if it was only a fake story from staff and in reality there is no limitation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which Krungsri branch?

At silom, terminal 21 + area around + patong in jungceylon shopping. 

 

PS: i am im bkk now. If you give me the details where you open your savings account just with passport+rental contract then tell me exactly at which branch + if possible contact person there.

I will go there and report.

 

 

Sounds kind of strange, and being registered at her home wouldn't change anything regarding the opening of a bank account.

Maybe being registered at her home makes it easier to claim that you are the father if she gets pregnant? [emoji14]

 

Go to Krungsri, take your passport and a minimum 6 month rental contract with your name on it. I'm still waiting for a report that somebody was not able to open an account like this.

 

I tried all thai banks in bkk last year in dec. also several branched with condo rental contract 1 year, certificte of residence ect.

 

No one wanted to open savings account inlusive krugsi, krungthi wirhout work permit or own condo.

 

Only the foreign banks like UOB, CIMB have been able to open wthout work permit or condo.

 

With UOB i then also open the account with visa debit in jan. 18.

 

 

 

PS:  In the other thread a member posted too it was very easy to open an account with bankgkok bank:

 

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1025750-easiest-bangkok-bank-in-bkk-to-open-an-account/?page=2

 

 

 

 

but then when the other TV member follow his advice this happen to him at the same branch:

 

 

I opened a fixed deposit account at bangkok bank in november last year only with my passport and the 30 days entry stamp. I went to the branch with my girlfriend. I don’t know why it shouldn’t be possible to open a savings account without a work permit? Bangkok bank write on their internet side it is possible with tourist visa as well  

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

They write many things on internet but in reality is different and i dont know if you have special circumstances. But why you not give more details here (branch, contact person) so the other TV member can contact this branch+staff and open his account with this person too because he has only hotel booking + non immigrant. Maybe i could try too at this staff.

 

I told already: i failed to open fixed deposit in patong with bangkok bank in dez. 17 despite i have already a savings account with them and when i was in bkk in jan 18 i faild again with all thai banks inclusive bangkok bank to open just a savings account and i have METV, utility bill, room rent contract, certificate of residence but no work permit, no business and i am not owner of a condo/house and no woman/gf.

 

 

If someone could open account without work permit, condo or own business recently it would be of much more help if the branch+contact person at the bank would be posted too instead of only "i open last year in dez." because this is not of real help if someone faces the problem to open an account in reality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the update. Yes, I will post back. Only have a hotel address in Bangkok though, unfortunately. Did you need a certificate of residence?

I did not need it with UOB bank but had one and gave it to them. But they asked for a bill showing my adress and i had a phone bill from DTAC. I did not asked them if COR is enough to prove adress in thai because i could show them the phone bill already therefore did not asked more.

I not want destroy your hopes but i am afraid with only hotel adress+non immigrant you will neither get a COR nor bank account.

But i wish you good luck.

21 minutes ago, dastott said:

Thanks for the info, very helpful. Do you mind me asking what visa you are holding? I was lead to believe that an O-A visa holder could open bank accounts without a condo. Thanks again.

I am holding a METV becasue i am still not 50. But it was no problem for any of the thai banks that i visited which VISA type i hold. They all only asked work permit or own condo. After walking 1/2 day in BKK from one THAI bank to another i gave up at the end and openend the new acccount at UOB with savings account, fixed depost, Visa debit card and internet banking.  But UOB need a letter showing your adress in thailand.

And this happen all  ~1-2 months ago, not before 1-2 years.

 

But you can  try several banks/brances in BKK with your Non Immigrant. Maybe you are more lucky and i would be happy if you post your recent experience if you could open the account just with your non immigrant or even if you fail.

in another thread one member posted some days ago he was only asked his passport at bankgkok bank in BKK to open the accout but he not mentioned when. this must be some years ago because i am sure this  is not working now anymore and of no help if a foreigner is interested to open an account now.  even me, who is holding an old savings acccout with bangkok bank already was unable to open an additional fixed deposit accoutn NOW without work permit. thats why i was looking for another bank and i even tried several bangkok bank brances in BKK wihtout success

 

On 24.1.2018 at 11:14 PM, dastott said:

Thanks a lot. Very helpful. If it does become necessary, how easy is it to get a Certficate of Residence when staying at a hotel? Ask the manager very nicely and take it to the neareast immigration office?

Good luck walking around in BKK ect. and looking for a bank account. I did it about 1-2 monthas ago in BKK+Patong and did not suceed with all the THAI banks like bankgok bank, krunkgsri, kasikorn. tried several branches of the same bank too. nothing possible without work permit or condo  that i own.

 

Only UOB bank in silom (Silom Complex) was in the position to open the accout.

 

I would be very interested if someone could post his CURRENT EXPERIENCE too  here about account opening and which documents the bank was asking for. Expecially if no work permit or own condo is necessary.

 

I hold an old bankgok bank accout (savings account) already which i opened several years ago with only a passport+insurance for 1000b that i had to buy. but time has changed since then and this info is outdated now and of no use if i give this experience to someone else nowadays.

i went to my bank (bankgok bank) and wanted to make a fixed deposit and despite i have already a savings account with bankgok bank, they not wanted to make a fixed deposit for me without work permit. happened to me last year in december.

 

so i tried several banks in BKK + Patong to open a new savings account+fixed depost accout ~1 month ago and ALL refused without work permit or condo except UOB + CIMB bank + Citibank. But citi require a depostit of several mio. THB.

 

This is my own very current experience about opening a bank account in Thailand!

 

Therefore i am very surprised many people here give the advice "just try several banks+brances ect. "

I did this 1 month ago and it did not work without work permit or condo at all the Thai Banks except the above foreign banks that i mentioned.

 

So if someone has a CURRENT EXPERIENCE about bank accout opening then please post here with all the details (where, necessary documents ect.) i am very interested but not "how i opened my bank account 2 years ago ect."  because what worked 1-2 years ago is not working nowadays so easy anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

I went to Bangkok bank at  Namnongwan road in front of The Mall and all the woman asked , did you bring your pasport?

Before i went to several other banks and yes they all asked about the work permit.

 

This was when?

 

And did you open the account only with your passport?

 

Update to my topic.   

 

I went to the Bangkok Bank branch at Emporium.   I was told that I needed either a work permit, the aforementioned letter from the British Embassy, or a letter showing I intend to buy a condo. 

 

As I have none of those things I left without an account.

 

I'm going to see if I can get someone to give me the document that I'm buying a condo, get the account and then 'change my mind' about the condo purchase.

 

 

Have you been at UOB bank? They not asked me for work permit last month.

 

Just needed a utility bill like phone invoice+passport and i gave them a certificate of residence from immigration.

 

CIMB bank also not need work permit but wanted confirmation letter from embassy for your home adress.

 

This experience is ~1 month old.

 

ALL other THAI banks refused in BKK and Patong. Tried many branches and same bank. Nada.

 

Even bangkok bank where i already have an old savings accout not wanted to open a fixed deposit account without work permit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got my driving licence last year in phuket with: certificate of residence from immigration, medical certificate, copy passport and a translation from embassy of my german driving licence to english.
I watched one video, did reaction +eye test.
That was all.

Without a work permit the best chance to open an account are with UOB or CIMB bank.

I woul recommend to study the double tax agreement between GB and TH very carefully if you intend to keep two residences

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thailand-tax-treaties

A long term visa with no work permit? Sounds like a nightmare. Can you imagine getting the visa then opening a bank account?
 
Mee work permit mai?
 
Or getting a post paid phone? Or a driving license? Or all the other things you get asked for a work permit for?
 
Also, with no work permit could you apply for permanent residence in the same way?

I opened a UOB bank account about 3 weeks ago in phuket.

Last year got my thai motorbike+car driving licence.

I have a DTAC post paid mobil phone several years already.

Never had or needed a work permit for all that.

I have a DTAC incoice for my mobil phone. Yu can have ir per email or letter.

Yesterday I was at the Bangkok bank (Second Road) and it was confirmed to me that no more visa cards would be issued. In the future there will only be Union Pay cards.

Thats what they told me in phuket too.

 

Went to UOB bank and opened an account there with VISA Debit Card, UOB APP, internet banking and fixed deposit ~ 2 weeks ago.

 

All this wirhout work permit.

 

Who needs bangkok bank and union pay card?

 

The cheapest fare that can be found from EVA for BKK-LHR-BKK end of text month is this (42K THB, on EVA Homepage):

 

 

I dont know, where the previous poster found an offer for ~25K THB for a return filight BKK-LHR-BKK on EVA in economy.

GBP 572 on checkfelix via EVA Air  = BHT 25292. = 650 Euro.

Cheapest fare i found on checkfelix is ~1200 eur for bkk-lhr-bkk next month
There is no fare for 650 eur for a return flight from and to BKK
You compare a return flight on QR with a one way ticket in EVA.
If yu find a flight bkk-lhr-bkk on EVA next month show the details. Otherwise i will show yu what i found on checkfelix.
And again: i am talking about a return flight, not a one way ticket

18 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Return. And it is usually the same price, whatever date, so no need to trudge around looking for cheaper days. The bus is Bht 127 EACH WAY.

Aha, where yu see/find this price because the cheapest i could find for next month is 1200 eur for bkk-lhr-bkk on EVA?

I search for flights on checkfelix which search on all major airlines similar to google flights.