No work permit, bank account possible now?

[Deserted]

It certainly used to be. I mut have had about 10 bank acounts in this country and still use one no problems. Do I need a work permit now? If not, where to go. There are foriegn banks that exists here (like citybank) Can I open a USD account with them). Ideally a savings account which can't be touched for 5 years. What's my best option?

[sometimewoodworker]

I have never had a work permit, I recently opened a new account. I probably have about 7 in current use in 4 different banks, and have had a few more. 
 

TLDR you can certainly open an account with no work permit.

 

I’m not going to go into the other requirements as they will vary depending on the amount you’re going to deposit who accompanies you, if anyone, and where you are trying. You may get refused but just keep trying, personally I have never been refused but there are numerous accounts of people who have, some gave up others kept trying and were eventually successful. 
 

I have never had a foreign currency account, all my accounts in all the countries I’ve had accounts in were in the local currency.

[malt25]

Just a thought.... ask a bank !

 

[edwardflory]

Have NEVER had a work permit in. 12 years here, I have 2 bank accounts

With a Retirement """Visa""" actually a extension of stay, you are forbidden to work, BUT you are REQUIRED to have a Bank Account - I used this regulation to open a account, OR proof of income.

 

( A Yellow House book also helps )

 

MANY bank people / Service Desk people do NOT know THESE regulation,

[JTXR]

It is certainly possible at "the yellow bank" and at "the blue and orange" bank.  😉 

Some say it's useful to go to branches that are used to dealing a lot with foreigners (e.g. Sukhumvit,  Silom and Sathorn areas of BKK).

[Srikcir]

15 hours ago, Deserted said:

like citybank

CitiBank left Bangkok years ago for better hi-value customers in Signapore. But UOB filled the void for abandoned CitiBank account holders.

[crazykopite]

Take a wad of money in along with your passports and you will be made very welcome the best bank is Kasikorn I moved from SCB bank toK bank so much more welcoming 

[khunPer]

You will need proof of address in Thailand to open a bank account; for example a letter from the local immigration office, if you not already have a yellow house book. Specifications is up to the local branch manager; so, sometimes you might need a little bit of shopping. Earlier, Kasikorn had a reputation for being vary foreigner-friendly, perhaps they still are...😉

[CanadaSam]

Every branch of every bank has different rules and policies!

 

Just take a fair amount of cash and your passport, and keep walking in to banks to open an account.

 

By the end of the day, you will have at least a couple of accounts opened, I'm pretty sure!

[Caldera]

On 10/28/2024 at 9:18 PM, Deserted said:

It certainly used to be. I mut have had about 10 bank acounts in this country and still use one no problems. Do I need a work permit now? If not, where to go. There are foriegn banks that exists here (like citybank) Can I open a USD account with them). Ideally a savings account which can't be touched for 5 years. What's my best option?

 

You say you don't have a work permit. You don't say what your visa status is, but that's quite important.

[JoseThailand]

Totally possible without a work permit.

 

You just need a non-immigrant visa.