What bank account should I try to get?

[noodleslayer]

I'm in Bang Khae and I want to get a bank account. Currently on tourist visa, about to get a covid extension and then register for a 1 year ED visa. I've read that its a lot easier to get a bank account on an ED visa than a tourist visa, is this correct? If so, I will wait.

 

Anyways, the banks I'm familiar with are Krungsri, Bangkok bank and Kasikorn Bank. I know nothing about any of them though, what is the best bank for farangs? Is there a list somewhere that shows the difference between the Thai banks? I would prefer the bank with less fees and the best customer support.

[DrJoy]

Best Bank is the one who will allow you to open A/c.

 

Get an address certificate from I.O. before going to hunt for accounts.

[noodleslayer]

11 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

Best Bank is the one who will allow you to open A/c.

 

Get an address certificate from I.O. before going to hunt for accounts.

Currently I'm living in airbnbs for a month at a time, would it be possible to get a bank account while moving around once a month? Or would I need to get on a 1 year lease before a bank lets me open an account?

[DrJoy]

13 minutes ago, noodleslayer said:

Currently I'm living in airbnbs for a month at a time, would it be possible to get a bank account while moving around once a month? Or would I need to get on a 1 year lease before a bank lets me open an account?

If you have Thai GF then its quite easy.

 

Some IO require 90 day report, which I guess you wont have, Right?

 

 

This is the list from Bangkok Immigration -

 

People requiring a residence/address certificate (proof of residence) can get this at the immigration office.

This certificate is required when the address has to confirmed at a Thai government agency, for example obtaining a Thai Driving License or buying a car/scooter, opening bank account.

 

Prerequisite are:

Up to date address registration (90 Day report)

 

Required papers:

 

Filled in TM30 form

 

Copies from following passport pages:

 

Photo page
Current visa/extension
Last entry stamp
TM6 departure card

Passport size picture.

 

Free if you wait for 2 weeks, Instant = THB 500/-

[noodleslayer]

2 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

If you have Thai GF then its quite easy.

 

Some IO require 90 day report, which I guess you wont have, Right?

 

 

This is the list from Bangkok Immigration -

 

People requiring a residence/address certificate (proof of residence) can get this at the immigration office.

This certificate is required when the address has to confirmed at a Thai government agency, for example obtaining a Thai Driving License or buying a car/scooter, opening bank account.

 

Prerequisite are:

Up to date address registration (90 Day report)

 

Required papers:

 

Filled in TM30 form

 

Copies from following passport pages:

 

Photo page
Current visa/extension
Last entry stamp
TM6 departure card

Passport size picture.

I do have a thai gf, but we do not live together yet. Why does that make it easy?

 

And I've never been on a long term visa, I have to do 90 day reports on an ED visa right? I will be doing a 1 year course, I believe I have to extend it every 3 months, so that means I wouldn't have to report, right? Also, would proof of residence work while living at an airbnb condo for a month, or do I need to get my own 1 year lease?

[DrJoy]

3 minutes ago, noodleslayer said:

I do have a thai gf, but we do not live together yet. Why does that make it easy?

 

And I've never been on a long term visa, I have to do 90 day reports on an ED visa right? I will be doing a 1 year course, I believe I have to extend it every 3 months, so that means I wouldn't have to report, right? Also, would proof of residence work while living at an airbnb condo for a month, or do I need to get my own 1 year lease?

They can copy you Gf's address from her ID card and make a certificate for you.

 

I have done this at MTT(Bangkok)

[noodleslayer]

10 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

They can copy you Gf's address from her ID card and make a certificate for you.

 

I have done this at MTT(Bangkok)

Oh nice, so if she's willing to say I live at her address even if I'm not actually living with her, all I would need is to bring her and say I live at her residence, and with a tm30 form, and my passport + photo and photocopies?

[Peterw42]

You wont find much difference between the banks, as others have said, it may come down to which bank will open an account.

Requirements to open an account will vary between banks, even branches of the same bank will vary.

A resident certificate from immigration isnt usually a bank requirement.

[DrJoy]

1 minute ago, noodleslayer said:

Oh nice, so if she's willing to say I live at her address even if I'm not actually living with her, all I would need is to bring her and say I live at her residence, and with a tm30 form, and my passport + photo and photocopies?

She needs to bring her Original Thai national Id card + Tabien Baan (Blue House Book) 

 

1 copy of each as well and her physical presence.

 

Other docs as I quoted above excluding the 90 day report.

 

Let her do the talking in Thai and you will be the proud owner of a residence/address cert.

 

I have done this in Bangkok with my then GF (now Wife)

 

[DrJoy]

@noodleslayer Some branches may open just with your PP, if you buy expensive insurance or expensive ATM card.

[HashBrownHarry]

55 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

Best Bank is the one who will allow you to open A/c.

 

Get an address certificate from I.O. before going to hunt for accounts.

Sorry to pitch in here but do you know how long they are valid for - Certificate of Res?

[DrJoy]

1 minute ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Sorry to pitch in here but do you know how long they are valid for - Certificate of Res?

Not sure abt Banks harry but Transport Office accepts it for 30 days only for D.L., buy car & scooter.

[noodleslayer]

4 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

She needs to bring her Original Thai national Id card + Tabien Baan (Blue House Book) 

 

1 copy of each as well and her physical presence.

 

Other docs as I quoted above excluding the 90 day report.

 

Let her do the talking in Thai and you will be the proud owner of a residence/address cert.

 

I have done this in Bangkok with my then GF (now Wife)

 

Would she have a blue house book if she just rents a condo? And uh where do I go to get those residence certificate? Chaengwattana? I assume you're telling me to first go to Chaengwattana and get this certificate before bothering applying for a bank account?

[DrJoy]

3 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Sorry to pitch in here but do you know how long they are valid for - Certificate of Res?

If you get an address cert from your Embassy then its valid for 1 year.

[DrJoy]

3 minutes ago, noodleslayer said:

Would she have a blue house book if she just rents a condo? And uh where do I go to get those residence certificate? Chaengwattana? I assume you're telling me to first go to Chaengwattana and get this certificate before bothering applying for a bank account?

Its Muang Thong Thani for people who reside in Bangkok, not Chaengwattana.

 

You can get an address cert from your Embassy as well.

[HashBrownHarry]

2 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

If you get an address cert from your Embassy then its valid for 1 year.

oh wow - interesting.

 

any idea what they charge for that? 

[noodleslayer]

2 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

Its Muang Thong Thani for people who reside in Bangkok, not Chaengwattana.

 

You can get an address cert from your Embassy as well.

Can I get this address cert while living in an airbnb? Or can I get an address cert when I get my 1 year lease in a condo?

 

I assume you're telling me to first go to Chaengwattana and get this certificate before bothering applying for a bank account?

 

[DrJoy]

1 minute ago, HashBrownHarry said:

oh wow - interesting.

 

any idea what they charge for that? 

January 2020, it was 50 USD for US Embassy & 65 CAD for Canadian Embassy.

 

Not sure abt the prices, don't quote me on that????

[Peterw42]

Not sure why the discussion about resident certificates.

It comes down to the individual banks what they want, but in my experience (5 accounts with 3 banks, phuket, bkk and pattaya) no bank has ever wanted a Cert Of Res.

[DrJoy]

2 minutes ago, noodleslayer said:

Can I get this address cert while living in an airbnb? Or can I get an address cert when I get my 1 year lease in a condo?

 

I assume you're telling me to first go to Chaengwattana and get this certificate before bothering applying for a bank account?

 

Yes you can with an airbnb.

 

The owner of the airbnb has to report your stay with the Immigration within 24 hours. Its called the TM38.

 

You take a copy of TM38 from your Landlord and then can get address cert

[KhunLA]

Depends what your end game is.  I would get the -0- visa first, before the bank account.  Why bother if your not going to be able to stay in country.

[DrJoy]

3 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Not sure why the discussion about resident certificates.

It comes down to the individual banks what they want, but in my experience (5 accounts with 3 banks, phuket, bkk and pattaya) no bank has ever wanted a Cert Of Res.

Correct.

 

@noodleslayer Visit atleast 10 branches of different banks. Sure someone will say yes.

If not, make them greedy and say I will buy your expensive ATM card . The a/c gets magically opened.

[ukrules]

7 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Not sure why the discussion about resident certificates.

It comes down to the individual banks what they want, but in my experience (5 accounts with 3 banks, phuket, bkk and pattaya) no bank has ever wanted a Cert Of Res.

I had to get one for a Kasikorn account once.

 

[HashBrownHarry]

10 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Not sure why the discussion about resident certificates.

It comes down to the individual banks what they want, but in my experience (5 accounts with 3 banks, phuket, bkk and pattaya) no bank has ever wanted a Cert Of Res.

When was the last time you opened a bank account?

 

I know when i opened mine you never needed one but that was 15++ years ago when life was easy here.

[DrJoy]

Bottom line is-

 

You have to pay either for addresses cert or ATM card or Insurance.

 

But, you have to pay. Its your choice @noodleslayer

[DrJoy]

Actually the US Embassy does not have an address letter.

 

What's interesting abt the US Embassy is that they have a self sworn affidavit.

 

You can write I Mr. Harry Peters, an american citizen, hold US PP number this and my address in Thailand is xxxxx

 

I swear the above is true. The Embassy will stamp it as ' Seen at the US Embassy, Bangkok' or signature of Mr. Harry is verified.

 

All Thai Govt Departments including Banks , accept it happily.

 

[JimmyJ]

You do not need a 1 year lease.

[Peterw42]

14 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

When was the last time you opened a bank account?

 

I know when i opened mine you never needed one but that was 15++ years ago when life was easy here.

18 months ago. I helped a friend only a couple of weeks ago and no Res Cert required. Most are more interested in a long stay visa.

Yes, the good old days. I still have an account in phuket that has me living at Noks Guest house.

 

[HashBrownHarry]

4 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

18 months ago. I helped a friend only a couple of weeks ago and no Res Cert required. Most are more interested in a long stay visa.

Yes, the good old days. I still have an account in phuket that has me living at Noks Guest house.

 

The first bank account i opened in Patong was with Thai Farmers, unfortunately long gone.

[PeachCH]

Why run around? If you want to open a BANGKOK BANK account without headache, contact an Immigration agent. For a fee he can open for (with) you ????