Any recommendations for online brokers (or banks) to buy stock S&P500?

[Fiskebolle]

Hi Fellow AN members,

 

Anyone's got some pointers on which broker (or bank) to use to purchase stock on S&P500?

Some banks (KBank etc) also provide this feature, but not sure if there are better /cheaper options to invest (from Thailand) on this particular index?
I tend to believe that with local banks here in Thailand, it's easier to get your money out and less hassle with KYC's as opposed to dealing with other foreign trading platforms when being a resident here in Thailand?

Cheers,

 

FB

[ELLHNAS]

Interactive Brokers

[eddysacc]

Anyone opened an interactive brokers account from thailand?

 

Tried to open in my wifes name years ago. But was not successful for i don't know the reason.

[short-Timer]

8 hours ago, eddysacc said:

Anyone opened an interactive brokers account from thailand?

 

Tried to open in my wifes name years ago. But was not successful for i don't know the reason.

Yep, took about 10 minutes. Used Thai residential address and Thai mobile phone number. Copy of foreign passport from Western country. No problem. 

[short-Timer]

10 hours ago, ELLHNAS said:

Interactive Brokers

Agreed, best option.
 

SwissQuote In Luxembourg is an option too, but not for American citizens. Saxo in Singapore and Boom in Hong Kong are additional options. These are all international brokers that offer trading in multiple markets.

[JontS]

Saxo bank, serviced from the Singapore office. That is what I'm planning to use when I move to Thailand next month.

[41632584]

On 3/12/2025 at 9:20 PM, short-Timer said:

Yep, took about 10 minutes. Used Thai residential address and Thai mobile phone number. Copy of foreign passport from Western country. No problem. 

 

Was this recently? Did they ask for a Tax ID, Thai or otherwise?

[RSD1]

3 hours ago, 41632584 said:

 

Was this recently? Did they ask for a Tax ID, Thai or otherwise?

When I set mine up about a year ago they asked me for a TIN. I gave them my Thai TIN and that was it. They only asked me to provide the TIN number, but no other documentation for it.

[short-Timer]

On 3/15/2025 at 2:18 AM, 41632584 said:

 

Was this recently? Did they ask for a Tax ID, Thai or otherwise?

Yes, recently. Yes, a TIN is always required to open a brokerage account at any brokerage company anywhere in the world where you are able to trade stocks in the US equity markets. 

[Yumthai]

39 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

Yes, recently. Yes, a TIN is always required to open a brokerage account at any brokerage company anywhere in the world where you are able to trade stocks in the US equity markets. 

Nonsense. A TIN is not always mandatory for the simple reason that some countries do not issue TIN or do not required its residents to have one if they have no taxable income. For instance, a Thai tax resident can open a brokerage account with IBKR or Charles Schwab International without providing a TIN.

[maroon5]

On 3/12/2025 at 9:20 PM, short-Timer said:

Yep, took about 10 minutes. Used Thai residential address and Thai mobile phone number. Copy of foreign passport from Western country. No problem. 

How do you fund your brokerage account? Via Thai bank account? If so, via local transfer in Thailand or foreign transfer?  

[short-Timer]

13 hours ago, maroon5 said:

How do you fund your brokerage account? Via Thai bank account? If so, via local transfer in Thailand or foreign transfer?  

Dollars and Euros from accounts located outside of Thailand. Nothing to do with Thai banks or Thai baht. 

[SiSePuede419]

On 3/7/2025 at 12:55 PM, Fiskebolle said:

Anyone's got some pointers on which broker (or bank) to use to purchase stock on S&P500?

Probably an American broker account would be the easiest...?

I like a mix of more broad index funds like Fidelity Total Market mixed with more specific index funds like AIQ, small caps (doing terrible now BTW) real estate pacific rim along with some high flyers like Apple or Auto parts stores, LOL.

Yesterday the S&P was down but my DIY portfolio mix was up +1.72%

Your mileage may vary 😂 😀

 

Yes, foreigners can buy S&P 500 stocks. 

 

Many U.S. brokers (like Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers, and TD Ameritrade) allow non-U.S. citizens to open accounts. You may need to provide a passport, proof of address, and complete tax forms (like the W-8BEN to handle U.S. tax withholding).

 

2. Via ETFs – Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the S&P 500, such as SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), or iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), are available in many international markets.

 

3. Through Local Brokers – Some foreign brokers offer access to U.S. stocks and ETFs.

 

4. Via Mutual Funds – Some international mutual funds track the S&P 500 and are available through local financial institutions.