Can you open a bank account as a tourist?

[TheLaughingMan]

Is it possible to open a Thai bank account with just a tourist visa or visa on arrival?  Either a certain bank or a special type of account or is it just not possible?  Thanks

Edited June 15, 2022 by TheLaughingMan

[FriendlyFarang]

Yes, possible, but same as for everybody without work permit: You might have to try different branches before you find one that will open an account for you.

[Liverpool Lou]

There are no prohibitions on tourists' opening Thai bank accounts but you'll have to comply with the bank's requirements and it's individual branches' interpretation of its requirements.   Undoubtedly, the exercise will involve visiting a lot of banks/branches before you get an "ok".

 

There are no accounts aimed at tourists specifically, nor any particular banks that look for those customers but if you make it clear that you've got a pile of cash to deposit (not just a B500 minimum to get the account opened) you may find it easier.

 

You could immediately withdraw most of that pile of cash at the ATM outside as soon as the account has been opened if you wanted, there'd be no obligation to leave it there once you've got the account.

Edited June 15, 2022 by Liverpool Lou

[Ohyesuare]

If you're from the US, you might get more refusals as it's a lot more paperwork to open one for them.

[Chris.B]

You may have to buy the bank's insurance to open an account. Do it, saves hassle later.

 

[DrJack54]

With a tourist visa or visa exempt entry use an agent to open a bank account. 

[DrJack54]

@TheLaughingMan what location where you planning to open bank account? 

[TheLaughingMan]

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

@TheLaughingMan what location where you planning to open bank account? 

Bangkok

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, TheLaughingMan said:

Bangkok

In Bangkok you will require a letter from embassy (not all embassies provide) OR residence certificate.

For RC in Bangkok you need to have made a 90 report, which you will not have on a TV.

Use an agent. 

Check with Siam Legal. 

[Peterw42]

Yes its possible, all the usual criteria applies. An agent can do it 100%, costs 3k-5k. Otherwise its visit bank to bank, branch to branch until someone says yes. visit the maim area branch not the smaller limited services shopping mall branches. More chance at a branch close to an immigration office (its a big part of their business).

Dress appropriately, no shorts/singlets etc. Take along a Thai customer of the bank, it works as a referral. Buying insurance can often get an account opened, (its for account holders and the staff get commission).

There is often no consistency, a branch may do accounts on a TV this week, and not next week.

[daveAustin]

Most of them will refuse unless you have a work permit, or at least non-O and another form of ID (like license and/or name on tabien bahn). Traipse around all the banks or get agent/lawyer to sort it. 

[buick]

not sure where you are in bangkok, but i'd suggest bangkok bank main office at 333 silom road.  go in and see what they require, maybe you'll get lucky and they'll offer to open one if you buy their insurance product.  which will cost about the same as an agent/siam legal.  but you may have to get the embassy letter.  or, just go with the siam legal recommended by another poster.  it can be a hassle to open an account and an agent makes it real easy.

 

 

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, buick said:

not sure where you are in bangkok, but i'd suggest bangkok bank main office at 333 silom road

I'm pretty much certain BB will require residence certificate or statement from embassy (for opening bank account in Bangkok)

On a TV it would need be statement from embassy.

Not all provide that service.

Oz embassy being one. 

[CartagenaWarlock]

Everything is possible with money. There are hundreds of agents who will do it for a fee. If you want to open an account without spending any dime, you can start walking randomly in the scorching sun  and visit all the banks in your ways. Good luck with that approach. 

Edited June 16, 2022 by CartagenaWarlock

[buick]

yeah, going from bank to bank in the hot weather is a real pain.  i think some people prefer to suffer like that in order to avoid paying 3,000 to 4,000thb.  8 hrs in the heat across three days is an okay trade off for them.

 

one thing that really gets me on these threads about opening bank accounts, we rarely hear back from the OP on how things went.  and i remember a real classic where we did hear back from an OP, and he criticized us all about how we were wrong with our advice, etc...  as they were denied right and left.  and that was back when it was not real tough to open one, around 2017/18 or so when the crackdown first started.  we told the OP to try specific branches (main office bangkok bank was one and UOB on sukhumvit was another) and OP tried a bunch of banks EXCEPT the one's recommended.

[FriendlyFarang]

1 hour ago, buick said:

yeah, going from bank to bank in the hot weather is a real pain.  i think some people prefer to suffer like that in order to avoid paying 3,000 to 4,000thb.  8 hrs in the heat across three days is an okay trade off for them.

When I opened my account I just had a Thai friend call a few branches until one said they will open one for me, asked for the name of the person on the phone, went to the branch, asked for the person, got my bank account.

20 minutes of phone calls versus 3-4k baht...

And setting up a meeting with an agent probably takes just as much time, and you might have to travel to a branch across town.

Edited June 16, 2022 by FriendlyFarang

[head bender]

Yes you can just tell them you are going to buy a holiday home.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, FriendlyFarang said:

When I opened my account I just had a Thai friend call a few branches until one said they will open one for me, asked for the name of the person on the phone, went to the branch, asked for the person, got my bank account.

20 minutes of phone calls versus 3-4k baht...

And setting up a meeting with an agent probably takes just as much time, and you might have to travel to a branch across town.

Where? 

The OP is opening account in Bangkok 

When did you open this account 

Which bank.

Without details your post means little.

 

[FriendlyFarang]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Where? 

The OP is opening account in Bangkok 

When did you open this account 

Which bank.

Without details your post means little.

 

That's irrelevant now.

I merely recommended to use the phone instead of walking from branch to branch, saves a lot of time and sweat.

[USNret]

I did it at the Bangkok Bank at Rama 9 Central mall. No agent, no letter from the embassy. In fact, no visa… I was Visa Exempt. 

[DrJack54]

Just now, FriendlyFarang said:

That's irrelevant now.

I merely recommended to use the phone instead of walking from branch to branch, saves a lot of time and sweat.

Very relevant in my book.

If the branch is in Bangkok and you recently opened your account you could provide details..

 

This thread is repeated often with vague replies which are meaningless.

 

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, USNret said:

I did it at the Bangkok Bank at Rama 9 Central mall. No agent, no letter from the embassy. In fact, no visa… I was Visa Exempt. 

When

[buick]

2 hours ago, FriendlyFarang said:

When I opened my account I just had a Thai friend call a few branches until one said they will open one for me, asked for the name of the person on the phone, went to the branch, asked for the person, got my bank account.

20 minutes of phone calls versus 3-4k baht...

And setting up a meeting with an agent probably takes just as much time, and you might have to travel to a branch across town.

that sounds good and i hope the OP can do the same.  thai friends can help. 

[barnsleyman]

I opened a bank account in Pattaya when on a 30 day Visa On Arrival 16 years ago no problems at all, in and out in 15 minutes. But I think now you need a Residence Certificate from the Immigration Office to open an Account with most banks.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, barnsleyman said:

I opened a bank account in Pattaya when on a 30 day Visa On Arrival 16 years ago no problems at all, in and out in 15 minutes. But I think now you need a Residence Certificate from the Immigration Office to open an Account with most banks.

Things have changed dramatically in last few years main reason being money laundering laws 

Also if currently you were opening a bank account in Bangkok and a residence certificate was required you could not obtain one on visa exempt or tourist visa.

 

[barnsleyman]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Also if currently you were opening a bank account in Bangkok and a residence certificate was required you could not obtain one on visa exempt or tourist visa.

Yes, I believe also some banks in Pattaya are refusing to open accounts unless you have a Non immigrant '' O'' Visa in your passport.

[buick]

10 minutes ago, USNret said:

I did it at the Bangkok Bank at Rama 9 Central mall. No agent, no letter from the embassy. In fact, no visa… I was Visa Exempt. 

were you changing over to a NON O retirement and got them excited with the prospect of an 800,000thb deposit ?  a plan to transfer funds to buy a condo ? or did they just open it w/o any 'enticements' ?  in the last 4 yrs or so, there have been alot of questions on here about how to get an account open (visa exempt or tourist visa).  usually after the OP's have tried several banks w/o success.  maybe you were one of the lucky ones.

 

i kind of like the buy the insurance option.  you never know, maybe you'll have an accident and cash in on the insurance.  at least you've got a little something for your 3,000-4000thb.  but if you use an agent, you make a contact.  agents can be helpful in the future.

[ujayujay]

Go to a main Branch: Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn or else. Should be no Problem. 

[ed strong]

I opened an account as a tourist, through Kasikorn bank, I didnt tell them i was a tourist though. It was 3 years ago and i cant remember what i said but its important to look important. I'm from the UK and dont have a visa or anything in my passport that relates to how long im there for.

 

My new bank card did not have my name on it, and if you lose it, you just go to the bank and they give you a new one right then, although you do have to pay 200b or something like that and you have also deposit 500b into your new new account when you open it.

[transam]

4 minutes ago, ed strong said:

I opened an account as a tourist, through Kasikorn bank, I didnt tell them i was a tourist though. It was 3 years ago and i cant remember what i said but its important to look important. I'm from the UK and dont have a visa or anything in my passport that relates to how long im there for.

 

My new bank card did not have my name on it, and if you lose it, you just go to the bank and they give you a new one right then, although you do have to pay 200b or something like that and you have also deposit 500b into your new new account when you open it.

Your first para doesn't sound right.  ????