Hi all,

Could anyone recommend an agent to assist in setting up a bank account in Bangkok please ? I have a couple but they're asking for 20K Baht upwards. I know this can be done in Pattaya for around 5K Baht. I don't mind travelling to Pattaya, but Bangkok agent would be far more convenient.

Also I have PM'd @ianguygil but he appears to be away for an extended period.

many thanks

 

Do you have a Non-immigrant visa and a couple of k Baht?

 

Walk into a bank and ask to open an account.

 

Sign endless forms.

 

Walk out of bank with bankbook and ATM card.

 

It really is that easy.

 

If your first choice says "cannot" just try another bank or even another branch of the same bank.

7 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Do you have a Non-immigrant visa and a couple of k Baht?

 

Walk into a bank and ask to open an account.

 

Sign endless forms.

 

Walk out of bank with bankbook and ATM card.

 

It really is that easy.

 

If your first choice says "cannot" just try another bank or even another branch of the same bank.

And it costs nothing. Some banks will want proof of address, most want just a passport. If you visit three branches of the same bank you will get three different answers. Some will not give a farang an account, just try another one. Amazing Thailand. SCB is the best bank.

24 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Do you have a Non-immigrant visa and a couple of k Baht?

 

Walk into a bank and ask to open an account.

 

Sign endless forms.

 

Walk out of bank with bankbook and ATM card.

 

It really is that easy.

 

If your first choice says "cannot" just try another bank or even another branch of the same bank.

Apologies I should have mentioned, I'm going to be on a visa exemption for my initial trip, and return early next year to get a retirement visa etc. So I guess the tricky bit is getting the account when on a exemption visa and staying in a hotel.

Yes, I do have spare cash.

If you have a Thai friend take them with you to the bank (BKK are good for this) and use them as a "referee/reference".

Contact this lady 

0953458327

Line or WhatsApp

Super reliable

 

Each bank branch has it's own rules, even if their Main Office says it differently.

 

I got my bank account opened on Visa exempt, as I was introduced by a customer.

 

Some other banks, even when you have a 3 month non O visa, can refuse and rudely brush you off.

 

Welcome to Thailand.

 

 

Best is to go shop around the Banks in popular tourist areas around Nana and try one's luck.

2 hours ago, dayo202 said:

Contact this lady 

0953458327

Line or WhatsApp

Super reliable

 

thanks, I contacted them, but was told this now has to be done in Pattaya.

4 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

And it costs nothing. Some banks will want proof of address, most want just a passport. If you visit three branches of the same bank you will get three different answers. Some will not give a farang an account, just try another one. Amazing Thailand. SCB is the best bank.

 

How is SCB the best? Not being critical, I would like to know 

4 hours ago, Wyabcp said:

Apologies I should have mentioned, I'm going to be on a visa exemption for my initial trip, and return early next year to get a retirement visa etc.

Don't know where (country) you are coming from but if you will qualify for a non-O+extension "early next year" why not just get a non-O e-visa for your upcoming trip.  That will make a lot of things much easier.

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

Don't know where (country) you are coming from but if you will qualify for a non-O+extension "early next year" why not just get a non-O e-visa for your upcoming trip.  That will make a lot of things much easier.

I'm from the UK, and yes you're right that would probably be the best option. My only issue is I'm unsure of the dates when I'll be settling down. This short visit is just a holiday, and I'll probably get the Non O extension next year in Q1 which might be longer than 90 days from when I arrive on the holiday.

8 hours ago, Wyabcp said:

I'm from the UK, and yes you're right that would probably be the best option. My only issue is I'm unsure of the dates when I'll be settling down. This short visit is just a holiday, and I'll probably get the Non O extension next year in Q1 which might be longer than 90 days from when I arrive on the holiday.

In which case I wouldn't waste my time or certainly money on an agent chasing around for a bank account on your short holiday.

 

Simply get a non-O in the UK when you get back.  You can show money in a UK account for that.  Then you'll get a 90 day entry in Q1, can easily open a bank account yourself (you will likely need to show some kind of rental contract for accommodation).  You'll also avoid airline check-in questions about onward tickets.

Get in touch with https://www.ata-services.com/

8 hours ago, Upnotover said:

In which case I wouldn't waste my time or certainly money on an agent chasing around for a bank account on your short holiday.

 

Simply get a non-O in the UK when you get back.  You can show money in a UK account for that.  Then you'll get a 90 day entry in Q1, can easily open a bank account yourself (you will likely need to show some kind of rental contract for accommodation).  You'll also avoid airline check-in questions about onward tickets.

That's good advise appreciate it. Will I be able to still get a condo etc without an account ? that was one reason I was looking to get account first, also thought it would be good to start the 2 month process of having the funds in the account early... 

1 hour ago, gennady28 said:

Get in touch with https://www.ata-services.com/

thanks...they want 33,000 BAHT to do that...lol

21 hours ago, Wyabcp said:

That's good advise appreciate it. Will I be able to still get a condo etc without an account ? that was one reason I was looking to get account first, also thought it would be good to start the 2 month process of having the funds in the account early... 

To rent a condo all they will want is their money, they won't worry where it's coming from. You could easily pay direct to their account using Wise or similar until your local account is up and running. Yes you'll need to get the account sorted and funded within the first couple of weeks it you 90 day entry. 

On 10/24/2024 at 4:04 PM, Wyabcp said:

Apologies I should have mentioned, I'm going to be on a visa exemption for my initial trip, and return early next year to get a retirement visa etc. So I guess the tricky bit is getting the account when on a exemption visa and staying in a hotel.

Yes, I do have spare cash.

They wont give you an account with a visa exempt.

On 10/26/2024 at 12:47 PM, Photoguy21 said:

They wont give you an account with a visa exempt.

That is very much a case of who you approach, how you ask, how much you want to deposit and who is with you at the bank.

Branch management has discretion and the ability to override most rules.

Krungsri at the Emquartier. 

On 10/28/2024 at 11:36 AM, sometimewoodworker said:

That is very much a case of who you approach, how you ask, how much you want to deposit and who is with you at the bank.

Branch management has discretion and the ability to override most rules.

Branch management does have discretion but I still doubt if they would give you an account