When I arrive in Pattaya I will need to open a checking account at a Thai bank.

 

At the moment I will not have the residency or the visa; only my COE for Thailand, the certificate of having completed the sandbox and the passport, because I have a visa exemption.

 

I understand that not only does each bank have different rules and requirements for opening an account, but each branch is also different.

 

Which can be the best bank office to open an account? Where less problems put and less requirements ask.

 

On some websites I have read that to open an account in a Thai bank you need to have residency but, on the other hand, to have residency you need to deposit 800,000 baht in a bank account in your name, so there has to be some form of opening it before having residency.

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 20214 yr by Espanol

I have accounts with Bangkok Bank as well as K Bank very happy with both Apps are easy to use and have online access no issues at all have had these accounts 15 years 

Bangkok bank - had account maybe 4 years up now, no problems, though I seem to lose 600 baht a year the wife tells me not to worry about. ????

 

The Kasikorn Bank is probably the most foreigner-friendly bank. The branch on Jomtien Beach Road near the Immigration office probably opens the most accounts for foreigners.

Bangkok Bank is best if you'll use Wise for money transfers as there is a process for them being "International" they are also a farang friendly bank, 2 particular branches, 2nd road by top of soi 6 and the one at entrance of walking street.

 

I also have Kasikorn and Krungsri, both good but more difficult to open an account

You will NOT be able to open a chequing account and I would suggest not even asking.

Without a work permit (and Non-B visa), you will be turned down. Same goes for applying for a normal credit card (as opposed to a "pre-paid" card). (I think you need to show salary slips as well to prove you're actually employed and receiving a salary.)

With a 30 Day "Visa Exemption" stamp that has more than (a week to 10 days) remaining on it (or with a Tourist Visa/Non-O, Non-B visa, etc, etc) you will be able to open Savings Accounts (and Fixed Term Accounts).

(My dad tried to open an account at Siam Commercial with only a week remaining on his 30 day stamp and was told no, but they said if he'd had 10+ days remaining they would have done it. Different banks and different bank branches have different rules and different interpretations of the same rules.)

You will need a Certificate of Residence (obtainable from Immigration). That does not require you to have money in the bank as you won't even have a bank account at that point.

It does require you to have a regular address (i.e. not a hotel room or guest house). You will need proof that you live at that address (copies of utility bills worked for me, some people use a copy of their lease). (Note: You can rent an apartment/condo/house with a 30 day stamp and get the utilities set up in your name as well.)

Technically the Certificate is free - but it could take 1-2 weeks to process. However, at Jomtien, for (300 baht now ?) they will do it within about 20 minutes.

So, what you need is:

1. A regular address.
2. More than 10 days remaining on your Visa Exemption.
3. A Certificate of Residence.
4. And (naturally) a valid passport.

Bangkok Bank has generally been "foreigner friendly" but some people have had problems. Other banks will also open accounts for foreigners but some branches may not want to. (Some countries have tax/banking agreements with other countries, like the USA, that require banks to report accounts held by citizens of that country and some banks don't want to be bothered with that hassle.)

If you are turned down at one bank, try a different branch or a different bank. One thing that seems to help is if you go to the bank with someone who already has an account at the same bank (even better, someone with an account at the same branch, where they may be known to the staff).

Also note. I've been a customer with Bangkok Bank since 2004. However, so long as I was on 30 day stamps, they would not let me use their internet banking. Once I had my first "year long visa", they set me up immediately.

I use the big Kasikorn branch on Pattaya Klang. They are farang friendly.

A lot of bank branches are closed temporarily now due to Covid so you might have to be patient.

The friendly branches are the important factor so based on personal experience, Bangkok Bank main branch on 2nd opposite Soi 6. A friend had success at Kasikorn on Tai, next to Tukcom. I also read that the 'yellow bank' on Klang near Big C Extra works for some people sometimes. That's actually called Krungsri Bank aka Bank of Ayudhya.

 

One thing that has swayed a possible 'cannot' to a 'can' is having a nice sized opening deposit. Going through the account opening rigmarole and cadging for internet banking and an ATM card may fall on deaf ears with a 500 baht opening deposit. On the other hand, a tidy 10,000 baht (or equivalent changed at their forex desk), will probably make the reluctance go away.

 

Put it like this, if they accept it to enable the account opening and give you an ATM card, when you're finished, you can breeze right on out, go downstairs and pull (most of) it back out at their ATM.

 

YMMV

Edited August 1, 20214 yr by NanLaew

6 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Bangkok bank - had account maybe 4 years up now, no problems, though I seem to lose 600 baht a year the wife tells me not to worry about. ????

 

 

Indeed I rejected them for that very reason. Some branches like to insist that you take one of their products in order to open an account. Some useless insurance or some such. 

Interestingly, even though I declined their insurance, the cost of opening an account stayed at the 700 baht level. Seems that wanted to charge me 700 baht for having an ATM card. I declined and the girl stated cannot. I left.

So they are either charging you for a useless insurance or an expensive card. Your wife is probably thinking about the insurance money. Check it out. If you don't want it; then cancel. It won't affect your account status.

Bangkok Bank head office near Soi 6 might try the same ploy; though at least they will remove the charge if you insist that you don't want a card or insurance. Smaller branches obviously want those commissions.

I went to a completely different bank in the end; but note that Jomtien ask you the name of the bank when you go in for a Certificate of Residence. So it means you can only use it for that particular bank. So make sure that bank will give you an account before you decide the bank on the CoR.

10 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Bangkok Bank is best if you'll use Wise for money transfers as there is a process for them being "International" they are also a farang friendly bank, 2 particular branches, 2nd road by top of soi 6 and the one at entrance of walking street.

 

I also have Kasikorn and Krungsri, both good but more difficult to open an account

 

 

Seconded; successful reports with regards to the BB Head Office branch in front of Soi 6, armed with a Residence Certificate.

 

 

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

One thing that has swayed a possible 'cannot' to a 'can' is having a nice sized opening deposit.

Also spending money on some insurance they offer helps.....

Over the years between buying a house through one bank, buying new cars though others, having a business and it having it's own account with another, and of course our personal accounts with various banks, I don't remember any one bank standing out from the others for being good or bad.  They are pretty much all the same, SCB, Kasikorn, KrungSri, TMB, Bangkok Bank, etc. 

19 hours ago, bbko said:

Over the years between buying a house through one bank, buying new cars though others, having a business and it having it's own account with another, and of course our personal accounts with various banks, I don't remember any one bank standing out from the others for being good or bad.  They are pretty much all the same, SCB, Kasikorn, KrungSri, TMB, Bangkok Bank, etc. 

Can't argue with that fact but since the OP is all about opening an account in Pattaya right now, it's best to know which Pattaya branch of "SCB, Kasikorn, KrungSri, TMB, Bangkok Bank, etc." will best deliver what the OP is seeking in Pattaya right now.

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

it's best to know which Pattaya branch of "SCB, Kasikorn, KrungSri, TMB, Bangkok Bank, etc." will best deliver what the OP is seeking in Pattaya right now.

And it's too long that I was in this position. In 2009 at Kasikorn Bank things were so easy. But now?

This official stuff from Bangkok Bank does not sound too easy.

No idea what this reference letter is about. Seems it serves in place for proper certificate of residence that a tourist will not get.

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Save-And-Invest/Save/Savings-Account

Quote

2. Foreigner without work permit

• Passport
• A reference letter issued by one of the following institutes or organizations or required document
  • Embassy located  in Thailand 
  • An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT 
  • Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member or customer, director of a private company, permanent residence in Thailand, government or private educational institutes located in Thailand trusted by the Bank
  • Trusted companies, e.g., an employment letter from the company if the customer is in the process of applying for a work permit.
  • Document showing ownership of a fixed asset such as a condominium sale/purchase agreement (a condominium which is acceptable to Bangkok Bank) Or a property reservation agreement valued at 100,000 baht or more with a reference letter from the property developer that is acceptable to Bangkok Bank.
     

Notes: Contact addresses for both Thailand and overseas must be provided (hotel and P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable).

 

Edited August 2, 20214 yr by KhunBENQ

11 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

And it's too long that I was in this position. In 2009 at Kasikorn Bank things were so easy. But now?

This official stuff from Bangkok Bank does not sound too easy.

No idea what this reference letter is about. Seems it serves in place for proper certificate of residence that a tourist will not get.

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Save-And-Invest/Save/Savings-Account

 

Ignore all those requirements, based on real experience Bangkok Bank are pragmatic and a long stay visa isn't essential, Kasikorn on the other hand are sticklers for a long stay visa, the fact you need an account before getting a non imm O retirement goes over their head

The best bank to open an account in is the one that will let you have an account.

 

So many ask for work permit, even if you have an existing account with them.

I have two accounts with SCB, Big C Branch, opened using my Thai Driving Licence (plus TM30 receipt)  as proof of address, and my passport. 

20 minutes ago, LongTimeLurker said:

The best bank to open an account in is the one that will let you have an account.

 

 

Indeed. I fully agree. 

 

What I'm asking is which is that bank and which branch.

 

 

18 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

I have two accounts with SCB, Big C Branch, opened using my Thai Driving Licence (plus TM30 receipt)  as proof of address, and my passport. 

 

What I need to know is where can I open a bank account with only a tourist visa or, even better, a visa exemption. 

 

A bank account in Thailand with 800.000 bahts is a requirement to get retirement visa, so there must be a way to open that account prior to have residency. 

 

If I have understood correctly, the bank where it is easiest to open the account seems to be the Bangkok Bank.

 

To do this, I must rent a condo or house, go to Immigration with the rental contract and my passport and ask for a certificate to open an account at the Bangkok bank.  

 

With that certificate I go to the bank and open a deposit account, with at least 500 baht (although the larger the deposit, the easier it will be for the account to be approved).

 

Maybe if I comment in the bank that, once I have the account open, I will immediately transfer 400,000 baht, they will have even greater interest. ????????

 

Edited August 2, 20214 yr by Espanol

About 6 years ago for me - Bangkok Bank on Soi Buakhao.  No residence certificate, no drivers licence, no rental contract.  All I showed was my passport and a business card for a guesthouse, so different from many above and you won't know what you'll experience until you actually go to a bank.

 

Internet banking set up straight away (athough there were problems getting a password in the mail) which is also contrary to another report.

7 hours ago, Espanol said:

If I have understood correctly, the bank where it is easiest to open the account seems to be the Bangkok Bank.

 

To do this, I must rent a condo or house, go to Immigration with the rental contract and my passport and ask for a certificate to open an account at the Bangkok bank.  

 

With that certificate I go to the bank and open a deposit account, with at least 500 baht (although the larger the deposit, the easier it will be for the account to be approved).

 

Maybe if I comment in the bank that, once I have the account open, I will immediately transfer 400,000 baht, they will have even greater interest. ????????

 

Not quite. Go to the branches I mentioned above and ask what they need. Sometimes they may only ask for rent invoices rather than a residence certificate. Staying in a hotel may be ok, it was for my first account, so ask them, don't look on their website

Bangkok Bank used to be the easiest for a farang who does not live there to open an account.  They have tightened things up though.  So you need the certificate and proof of residency now like you do at the other banks. 

 

I got my account before you needed the certificate and just use a friends address for my residence.  Been a few years now and it still works.  

Edited August 2, 20214 yr by shdmn

On 7/31/2021 at 10:45 PM, jacko45k said:

Also spending money on some insurance they offer helps.....

Cost me 42 baht a month for the insurance, and cost of debit card (?)  no skin off my neck - and I think agreeing to the charge was one of the determining factors of getting an accept without residency certificate.  Smile a lot, dress nice and a big deposit is in order.  My first account in 2001 was easy, tourist visa, used the hotel address but I let that close, when I reapplied same bank, same branch I got all kinds of questions and Hummm. Haaaw, then I said, I need the account to deposit money to purchase a condominium........that was SCB on beach road.........opened right away, didn't buy the condo for almost a year later but they saw Ka-Ching Ka Ching.

 

FYI. I.  t helps to have your xferring bank always annotate transfers as "For Condominium Purchase". in remarks.  If it does not have that annotation, you may not be able to prove the money actually came in for that purchase.  I transferred a million in, wasn't marked for condo purchase, had to xfer it back out and back in with the remarks........at a cost on both ends.  So just to ensure no problems, just do it for all your xfer's...........I do, haven't has any probs since.????

Just now, TunnelRat69 said:

Cost me 42 baht a month for the insurance, and cost of debit card (?)  no skin off my neck - and I think agreeing to the charge was one of the determining factors of getting an accept without residency certificate.  Smile a lot, dress nice and a big deposit is in order.  My first account in 2001 was easy, tourist visa, used the hotel address but I let that close, when I reapplied same bank, different branch I got all kinds of questions and Hummm. Haaaw, then I said, I need the account to deposit money to purchase a condominium........that was SCB on beach road.........opened right away, didn't buy the condo for almost a year later but they saw Ka-Ching Ka Ching.

 

FYI. It helps to have your xferring bank always annotate transfers as "For Condominium Purchase". in remarks.  If it does not have that annotation, you may not be able to prove the money actually came in for that purchase.  I transferred a million in, wasn't marked for condo purchase, had to xfer it back out and back in with the remarks........at a cost on both ends.  So just to ensure no problems, just do it for all your xfer's...........I do, haven't has any probs since.????

 

9 hours ago, Espanol said:

What I'm asking is which is that bank and which branch.

Every bank can be different, change staff and policies.  What someone got 10 years, 5 years, of even last month may not be the same now. You will need to come here and do some leg work and figure it out.

Just a suggestion when you go in there don't look like a bum.  Where decent clean clothes and deodorant you are conducting a business transaction.  Suggest no flip flops, dirty cargo shorts or beer stained Singha tank tops.

52 minutes ago, TunnelRat69 said:

Cost me 42 baht a month for the insurance, and cost of debit card (?)  no skin off my neck -

No point quoting me... got my account 16 years ago and it was easy peasy. 

10 hours ago, Espanol said:

A bank account in Thailand with 800.000 bahts is a requirement to get retirement visa, so there must be a way to open that account prior to have residency. 

 

Are you attempting to use logic?      ????   

Look, it's not that hard.

If you are going to be putting money in a bank with the intent of using it for a "retirement visa", you are going to need a proper address. 
Period.
The odds that you will be able to scam your way into getting them to open an account using a hotel room as an address are very low.

Think about it. Would a bank in your country open an account for someone using "Room 11 at Sam's Motel" as an address ? No. They wouldn't. And you know it. And they certainly wouldn't open a chequing account for you and hand over a book of blank cheques either.
(And yes, that is what a lot of people that come to Thailand try to do because they think the bank isn't smart enough to figure out that they are going to bounce a bunch of cheques right before hopping on a plane and flying home.)

And I seriously doubt that Immigration is going to accept "room 106 at the Bayview Hotel" as an address when you apply for your Retirement Extension.

But hey, I've only been living here for 17 years and on my 10th "Retirement Extension" so obviously I have no clue.  

You know what ? On second thought, ignore everything I've written.

Just party all weekend and then on Monday morning stagger into the closest bank and throw a hundred baht bill on the counter and tell them to open a chequing account for you because you are flying out the next day and can't be bothered with paperwork and such.

See how far that gets you.

OP, as others have said, its no use asking which bank what documents etc. As it is subject to change and subject to who you talk to at the bank on the day.

 

Do the following and there is a 99% chance you will have an account by the end of the day.

 

1) as others have said, dress appropriately

2) literally start early and go bank to bank, branch to branch, avoid the smaller shopping mall branches. Start at immigration and go to the banks that are close.

3) take along a Thai person who is an existing account holder at the bank. (some banks will see this as an introduction/recommendation). If they have a local blue book even better, you dont need to be in the book just say thats where you live.

4) enquire about insurance products (500 baht a year accident insurance), the staff get commission but the insurance is only for account holders (an account magically gets opened if there is a commission to be had).

5) approach the bank saying you are about to transfer 10 million baht, pull out a wad of cash and say you want to deposit it etc.

6) if all else fails, go to one of the many agents who specialise in opening accounts for foreigners, I think the current fee is around 3,000 baht. you will have an account in an hour

 

Edited August 3, 20214 yr by Peterw42