Open Thai Bank Account

[UKPaul67]

Finding it virtually impossible to open a thai bank account, I want to purchase a Condo, and every bank that advertise that a foreigner can open a bank account, just say "No".

I dont trust a lawyer to be my POA for buying the condo, beside in Bkk lawyer are extortionate quoted prices and would much prefer my own bank account ????, and I would rather go to the land registry myself to sign. So when I return it would be much easier to transfer the money to the thai bank account.

I only come on a tourist visa , less than 30 days per time.

Any ideas guys. ?

 

[Ohyesuare]

Many agents will assist you in opening a bank account for a fee if you are unable to get a long term visa at the moment.

[marioc]

I totally agree with Ohyesuare.
Nowadays it is getting very very difficult to open a Thai Bank account, even with long term visa. Basically useless to go from bank branches to another trying it.
Better to save energy and peace of mind getting assistance from an agent.
A little costly but well worthy in your case.

[UKPaul67]

Its a nightmare ????. I'll have to look at an agent, do we know if it usually goes with out any issues providing my passport and passport stamp ?

[FarAway]

Nana Branch of Bangkok Bank. Was possible two years ago, when literally all others denied.

[scubascuba3]

Apparently agents can't open Bangkok Bank on a tourist visa now, think regulation enforcement seems to be hotting up, probably caused by all those fake accounts used by Chinese scammers.

 

I would try a few more branches in tourist areas, if that fails see an agent

[nigelforbes]

Either a long stay visa or an agent, there is no third choice.

[ravip]

Don Mueng Airport Branch of Bangkok Bank - I opened an account with a tourist visa.

But now it says...

 

 

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

 

[UKPaul67]

10 minutes ago, ravip said:

Don Mueng Airport Branch of Bangkok Bank - I opened an account with a tourist visa.

But now it says...

 

 

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

 

I tried bangkok  bank and they said the website is out of date and no longer offer that basic opening of an account

[gamb00ler]

If possible get a certificate of residency from Thai Immigration.

 

If you're going to use 400K or 800K deposits to qualify for an extension in the future tell the bank you would like to open a fixed deposit account to hold those funds.  If things go sideways, you can simply withdraw the funds anytime but you will have to forgo any interest.  Hopefully the bank will also open a regular savings account at the same time.

 

If you're buying a new condo, ask the developer/seller if they can assist you to facilitate your purchase.

Edited April 17, 2023 by gamb00ler

[DudleySquat]

Somewhere I have a list from Bangkok Bank, which is an internal document showing how a foreigner may open a bank account. 

 

One of the ways was to have a Thai Bangkok Bank Customer vouch for you. 

 

 

[Red Phoenix]

1 hour ago, UKPaul67 said:

Its a nightmare ????. I'll have to look at an agent, do we know if it usually goes with out any issues providing my passport and passport stamp ?

Since 1-2 years it has indeed become very difficult and almost impossible to open a personal Thai Bank-Account now on a VisaExempt or Tourist Visa.  But a Visa Agent can help you with opening such an account for a modest fee (approx 4.000 THB).  The Agent would go with you to a Bank branche where he has connections, and the Bank would then open the account for you on the spot (so no fear of passport loss). 

Note: If at all possible tell the Visa Agent that you prefer an account with either Kasikorn Bank or Bangkok Bank, as both of them are WISE partner-banks, which would considerably ease the process of transferring a large sum of money from abroad. 

[UKPaul67]

@Red Phoenix 

Thanks, I have sent an email out requesting an agent services, and hope that it works.

[Lemsta69]

1 hour ago, gamb00ler said:

get a certificate of residency from Thai Immigration

The OP's in Bangkok and is here on either a TR or VE.

[Liverpool Lou]

42 minutes ago, Red Phoenix said:

If at all possible tell the Visa Agent that you prefer an account with either Kasikorn Bank or Bangkok Bank, as both of them are WISE partner-banks, which would considerably ease the process of transferring a large sum of money from abroad. 

SWIFT transferring funds from overseas into any Thai bank does not require an "easing of the process". Instruct the overseas bank and it is done, it is of no consequence whether the bank is SCB, UOBT, Krungsri, KTB, TTB, BBL, Kasikorn or any other, there are no restrictions on incoming funds.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, UKPaul67 said:

@Red Phoenix 

Thanks, I have sent an email out requesting an agent services, and hope that it works.

Let us know how it goes

[UKPaul67]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Let us know how it goes

I will do ????

[UKPaul67]

41 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

The OP's in Bangkok and is here on either a TR or VE.

Correct, I'm looking at my future plans, which is buying a condo first and get myself setup. But its not easy, considering Thailand wants people to buy buy buy and bring money, yet make it very difficult.

Edited April 17, 2023 by UKPaul67
typos

[Red Phoenix]

27 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

SWIFT transferring funds from overseas into any Thai bank does not require an "easing of the process". Instruct the overseas bank and it is done, it is of no consequence whether the bank is SCB, UOBT, Krungsri, KTB, TTB, BBL, Kasikorn or any other, there are no restrictions on incoming funds.

I should have been more clear.  If OP intends to use WISE to transfer funds from UK to Thailand, it would be advantageous if his Thai bank-account is with Kasikorn or Bangkok Bank, as those are WISE partner-banks. When using WISE with other Thai banks the amount to transfer is limited to 50.000 THB per transaction, and there is a delay as the funds need to be funneled through one of the Wise partner-banks first.

In majority of cases WISE is the better option to transfer funds, as they are as good as always the cheapest, fastest and most transparent. When I transfer funds from my Belgian bank-account to my Kasikorn account using WISE I know exactly how much I will receive, and the funds arrive in seconds on my account the moment I click GO.  

[Lemsta69]

1 minute ago, UKPaul67 said:

Correct, I'm looking at my future plans, which is buying a condo first and get myself setup. But its not easy, considering Thailand wants people to buy buy buy and bring money, yet make it very difficult.

Bangkok is particularly tough for some reason. You won't get a Certificate of Residence at Immigration Division I a.k.a. CW unless you have submitted a 90-day report and you can't submit one of those unless you're on a an extension of stay. 

 

You can't get an extension of stay without a bank account and you can't get a bank account without a CoR so yes, it's all a bit silly.

 

Many folk claim that you can open a bank account on a tourist visa or visa exempt but when pressed they either won't name the branch or it happened in another province and/or was prior to the recent tightening of requirements. 

 

If the agents you have contacted can't help then you may have to consider opening an account in another province but that's a whole different kettle of fish.

[dddave]

In another current thread, I wrote about my deceased friend's brother coming to Thailand to settle his affairs.  He needed a Bangkok Bank account but was on a 45 day visa exempt entry and staying in hotels. No go at Bangkok Bank when he tried.

He went to an agent I know.  She "leased" him a cheap b4000 condo for one month that he will actually never set foot into.  That enabled her to do a TM 30 and thus get a residency certificate.  Took it all to Bangkok Bank and got his account.

[UKPaul67]

@Lemsta69

I'll wait for thier reply, they claim for the fee they do the paper work and the document required from there is straight to the Bank to open Siam-Legal 5k fee + vat.

I'll update the post , if they replay and i manage to get the account, Seen a few reviews one from only 3 months ago

[Red Phoenix]

3 hours ago, UKPaul67 said:

I only come on a tourist visa , less than 30 days per time.

Any ideas guys. ?

Not related to your Thai Bank Account query, but if you stay in Thailand for less than 30 days per time there is no reason to apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa to come over.  You can simply enter Thailand Visa Exempt (without a Visa), which will provide you with a 30 day Permit to stay stamped by Border-Immigration in your passport on entry. 

[bignok]

1 hour ago, Red Phoenix said:

Since 1-2 years it has indeed become very difficult and almost impossible to open a personal Thai Bank-Account now on a VisaExempt or Tourist Visa.  But a Visa Agent can help you with opening such an account for a modest fee (approx 4.000 THB).  The Agent would go with you to a Bank branche where he has connections, and the Bank would then open the account for you on the spot (so no fear of passport loss). 

Note: If at all possible tell the Visa Agent that you prefer an account with either Kasikorn Bank or Bangkok Bank, as both of them are WISE partner-banks, which would considerably ease the process of transferring a large sum of money from abroad. 

Do you know a visa agent in Chiang Mai?

[Lemsta69]

29 minutes ago, dddave said:

In another current thread, I wrote about my deceased friend's brother coming to Thailand to settle his affairs.  He needed a Bangkok Bank account but was on a 45 day visa exempt entry and staying in hotels. No go at Bangkok Bank when he tried.

He went to an agent I know.  She "leased" him a cheap b4000 condo for one month that he will actually never set foot into.  That enabled her to do a TM 30 and thus get a residency certificate.  Took it all to Bangkok Bank and got his account.

In Bangkok or somewhere else?

[Red Phoenix]

35 minutes ago, bignok said:

Do you know a visa agent in Chiang Mai?

No, as I am living in South Isaan.  But when you do a search on the Forum (it's in the black ribbon top-right) on "AGENT CHIANG MAI BANK" and choose the option 'all search terms', you will undoubtedly find advice on Visa agents in Chiang Mai that are providing that service.

Edited April 17, 2023 by Red Phoenix

[dddave]

On 4/17/2023 at 7:18 PM, Lemsta69 said:

In Bangkok or somewhere else?

Pattaya

[Lemsta69]

3 minutes ago, dddave said:

Pattaya

Darn it! Was hoping for an easy BKK solution, don't want to go to CW for residence certificate. Thanks anyway.

[dddave]

16 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

Darn it! Was hoping for an easy BKK solution, don't want to go to CW for residence certificate. Thanks anyway.

TM-30 itself might be sufficient as it's essentially a residence verification. 

[norbra]

Telephone head office call centre explain your circumstances and your requirements

You are not likely to get a good result from a bank branch.

I have open 3 accounts using this approach 

I always stipulate that I want account details ,name same as passport and address in English 

Edited April 19, 2023 by norbra