How to open a Bank account in 2025?

[gamb00ler]

8 hours ago, Jake44 said:

Actually, no, I'm not wasting money.  I've done the math.

 

1) For cash, superRich has basically the same exchange rate as wise.

2) My credit card has no fees, gives a good exchange rate plus 2-3% cash back on every purchase.  That easily beats wise, so I put everything I can on my credit card.

3) My ATM card has no fees, a good exchange rate, and even refunds the Thai ATM fee.  I think wise still gives a little better exchange rate, but not by much.  

 

Many AN posters have no clue how the exchange process works for credit and debit cards.

The card processing companies set the exchange rate (VISA and MasterCard).  No bank is involved in setting the exchange rate as long as you refuse the offer to have the transaction conducted in your home currency.

Credit cards and debit cards use the exact same exchange rate.

The exchange rate is set once each day at about 7AM (Thai time) on Tu, W, Th,F and Sat.

You can check the rates online whenever you like.  The exchange rate used is the one in effect on the day the transaction is initiated.

The rates are not terrible unless your home country's currency rises sharply after 7AM.  The card processors won't change the rate to follow until the next business day.  I find the card's exchange rate (for US$) is usually within .33% of WISE's rate unless the currency is very volatile around the transaction time.

If you choose your credit/debit card(s) with no foreign transaction fees and an issuer that refunds ATM fees (Schwab does) you will not pay any fees for purchases or cash advance on debit cards.  With such cards your net result will be very competitive with WISE after deducting WISE's fees.

Currently only Krungsri bank will allow cash advances (at the teller) on debit cards with the caveat that VISA cardholders will pay a 200 baht fee but there is no fee for MasterCard holders.  The max cash advance is 150K baht.

[BrandonJT]

32 minutes ago, Jabatron said:

The problem is a lot of sources say that you need to complete at least one 90-day report at the place where you are staying to be able to get Certificate of residence. 

So by that logic there's no way to get certificate of residence if you just landed on type-O visa as you gonna need to start the process of opening a bank account asap. 

That rule changed in Bangkok last year. No requirement to complete a 90-day report first.

[DrJack54]

8 hours ago, Jabatron said:

The problem is a lot of sources say that you need to complete at least one 90-day report at the place where you are staying to be able to get Certificate of residence.

That "catch 22" rule was specific to CW immigration. 

It also ruled out obtaining a TDL. 

In recent times that requirement has been removed. 

[oldcpu]

9 hours ago, Jabatron said:

The problem is a lot of sources say that you need to complete at least one 90-day report at the place where you are staying to be able to get Certificate

I know of those who obtained ( at Phuket Immigration) the certificate of residence on Visa exempt,  and also on Type O. No previous 90 day report required. They obtained such a couple of days after their arrival in Thailand. 

 

Edit: I see now others noted where you encountered this arguably rogue behavior 

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

I see now others noted where you encountered this arguably rogue behavior

Requirement to have made a 90 day report in order to obtain a COR was specific to CW. 

That is no longer a requirement. 

[wardje]

Went to the bank yesterday for the face scan to deal with transfer limits. Bank asked for a Certificate of Residence, I didn't have one from Immigration but I had one from the Embassy which was sufficient.

I'm on a Non-O retirement extension, Kasikorn bank, Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

Also checked was if the phone number I use for K plus app is in my name.

 

Had a number of documents with me like rental contract, Khor Ror 22, copies of passport and visa, TM30 etc.. , not needed.

[happydreamer]

Siam legal opened my bank account in 2022 for 5K.  In out and done in 90 minutes.  There's people who are going to sit here and tell you go to this bank go to that bank, ask for the manager.  Don't waste time, just pony up the 5k and get it done.

[Upnotover]

Just now, happydreamer said:

Siam legal opened my bank account in 2022 for 5K.  In out and done in 90 minutes.  There's people who are going to sit here and tell you go to this bank go to that bank, ask for the manager.  Don't waste time, just pony up the 5k and get it done.

2022.  Not now.

[happydreamer]

Just now, Upnotover said:

2022.  Not now.

Im pretty sure if you use an entity like that the process is a hell of a lot smoother than doing it yourself.

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, happydreamer said:

Siam legal opened my bank account in 2022 for 5K.  In out and done in 90 minutes.

And Siam Legal withdrew that service since then. Few years back.

Your information is out of date.

[happydreamer]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

And Siam Legal withdrew that service since then. Few years back.

Your information is out of date.

Actually, then THEIR information is out of date because if you checked it's still offered on their website.  Im not in the habit of offering misinformation

https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php
 

 

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, happydreamer said:

Actually, then THEIR information is out of date because if you checked it's still offered on their website.  Im not in the habit of offering misinformation

https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php
 

 

Great. Contact them tomorrow as I did some time ago... "No can do" 

 

Ask @ThaiVisaCentre if they can assist with opening Bank account without a Non O

Thinking not. 

[BrandonJT]

33 minutes ago, happydreamer said:

Actually, then THEIR information is out of date because if you checked it's still offered on their website.  Im not in the habit of offering misinformation

https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php
 

 

Siam Legal is widely known to have long outdated information posted. They also own the incredibly misleading "Thaiembassy" website that's always rife with incorrect and outdated information.  Siam Legal does not offer bank account opening services unless you are purchasing other services from them that requires a bank account, same as many other large agents in Bangkok.

[Jaggg88]

On 6/28/2025 at 10:49 AM, transam said:

I've never heard of the yellow book thing, unless now it has something to do with the recent tightening up of opening a new account to stop naughty farangs using Thai bank accounts......🤔

 

 

 

I have a BB account, and they told me I need a yellow book or work permit to open another account 3 years ago

[TroubleandGrumpy]

On 6/29/2025 at 10:39 PM, Bday Prang said:

what on earth are you talking about?  no bank account is required to marry , stop posting rubbish

Never said that - a bank account is not a 'requirement' - but without one there is no chance of any annual extension - marriage or retirement or work. Those saying ignorant things about all that, are just showing their ignorance. They forgot you need to have money in a bank account IN YOUR NAME for several months to get an Extension - marriage or retirement. That means they only ever arrive here on tourist Visas/Exempts as sexpats? visitors? they obviously never extend?   It is OK to do that - it is your lives - but dont tell BS about never needing a bank account in Thailand.  I note BS25 has still not answered any of my questions - or anyone else's - just saying.   

[Liquorice]

The topic is how to open a bank account, not whether it's a requirement to have one, but just to answer some of your points.

 

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Never said that - a bank account is not a 'requirement' - but without one there is no chance of any annual extension - marriage or retirement or work. Those saying ignorant things about all that, are just showing their ignorance. They forgot you need to have money in a bank account IN YOUR NAME for several months to get an Extension - marriage or retirement.

Embassy Income letters!

 

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

That means they only ever arrive here on tourist Visas/Exempts as sexpats? visitors? they obviously never extend?

30 and 60 day extensions require no proof of funds.

 

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

It is OK to do that - it is your lives - but dont tell BS about never needing a bank account in Thailand. 

'Wise' International debit card and many credit cards offer an alternative to needing a Thai bank account.

[transam]

4 hours ago, Jaggg88 said:

I have a BB account, and they told me I need a yellow book or work permit to open another account 3 years ago

"Another account".....🤗

[Bday Prang]

3 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Never said that - a bank account is not a 'requirement' - but without one there is no chance of any annual extension - marriage or retirement or work. Those saying ignorant things about all that, are just showing their ignorance. They forgot you need to have money in a bank account IN YOUR NAME for several months to get an Extension - marriage or retirement. That means they only ever arrive here on tourist Visas/Exempts as sexpats? visitors? they obviously never extend?   It is OK to do that - it is your lives - but dont tell BS about never needing a bank account in Thailand.  I note BS25 has still not answered any of my questions - or anyone else's - just saying.   

•  Nah you made a stupid statement and are now trying to backtrack. There is no reason for you to concern yourself about other peoples visa status, that is for the immigration authorities.  

[Stocky]

4 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Those saying ignorant things about all that, are just showing their ignorance. They forgot you need to have money in a bank account IN YOUR NAME for several months to get an Extension - marriage or retirement. That means they only ever arrive here on tourist Visas/Exempts as sexpats? visitors? they obviously never extend?   It is OK to do that - it is your lives - but dont tell BS about never needing a bank account in Thailand. 

You do talk some rubbish. Because I was working FIFO in Indonesia I never needed to bother with a marriage extension, a 1 year multi non-O worked well and fitted with my work. I didn't switch to a 1 year extension until COVID, after 15 years of marriage. I did however open a bank account for convenience a year or so after getting married, but not a requirement for a marriage multi non-O then.

[BrandonJT]

8 minutes ago, Stocky said:

 a 1 year multi non-O worked well and fitted with my work. 

No longer an option as of the end of last year.

[ikke1959]

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

The topic is how to open a bank account, not whether it's a requirement to have one, but just to answer some of your points.

 

Embassy Income letters!

 

30 and 60 day extensions require no proof of funds.

 

'Wise' International debit card and many credit cards offer an alternative to needing a Thai bank account.

Wise doesn't give you a card if your permanent residence is in Thailand...I tried many times but all the same answer not allowed in Thailand

[Stocky]

2 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

No longer an option as of the end of last year.

Indeed, it was a useful visa for those working offshore, but I was responding to a nonsense post. 

[Liquorice]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Wise doesn't give you a card if your permanent residence is in Thailand...I tried many times but all the same answer not allowed in Thailand

That was in reference to Tourists not needing a bank account and the alternatives.

If you still have a registered address overseas, you can get the Wise debit card.