I'm thinking kasikorn bank here in pattaya for my initial 800k baht deposit.  I got the impression from wise website that most foreign transfers in go there first anyway before being transferred to other thai banks.  I envision possibly switching to monthly transfer income method down the road. I will not be puttig my social security direct deposited into thailand as I will be maintaining a usa presence.  For now, just asking what k branch in pattaya might be easiest to start with to open an account.  Thanks.

 

Would they take a  check for deposit, or must the 800k  come only from offshore transfer?

 

American, aged 68. Here in pattaya on 90 day non imm o, retirement visa.  Arrived December 2.

Kasikorn Pattaya Klang is good

For me Kasikorn especially if plan living in Thailand includes transfers using WISE. 

 

Your first extension will be done using money in bank method (800k) 

 

If the plan is to eventually change to income method you would need to start the transfers straight away a long with the 800k.

You effectively run both methods in concert for one year. 

 

For your second extension they with check money in bank compliance and in addition you will have 12 month bank statement with the monthly transfers (12) highlighted and clearly state in future you are using income method for second extension and subsequent extensions

24 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

Would they take a  check for deposit, or must the 800k  come only from offshore transfer?

Must be foreign fft wire/swift/wise transfer into your account transfer to satisfy immigration.

8 minutes ago, novacova said:

Must be foreign fft wire/swift/wise transfer into your account transfer to satisfy immigration.

To obtain a Non O in Thailand the 800k needs to be international transfer. 

However if OP obtains Non O outside of Thailand that is not the case. 

Using money in bank method for extensions the funds do NOT need to be shown as international transfer. 

Note: obviously using income method the monthly transfers need to be international transfers

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

To obtain a Non O in Thailand the 800k needs to be international transfer. 

However if OP obtains Non O outside of Thailand that is not the case. 

Using money in bank method for extensions the funds do NOT need to be shown as international transfer. 

Note: obviously using income method the monthly transfers need to be international transfers

When does the 800k need to be paid? any time before the extension?

Kasikorn Bank and WISE is a winning combination, you cannot go wrong with that.

 

Regarding a foreign check deposit, I'd say it's not a good idea with regards to the seasoning requirement - it might take a long time for the check to clear.

5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

When does the 800k need to be paid? any time before the extension?

The 800k needs to be seasoned for 2 months prior to extension

On 12/19/2025 at 8:39 AM, DrJack54 said:

The 800k needs to be seasoned for 2 months prior to extension

 

Does the 800k need to be transferred in one go?

3 minutes ago, eid_ said:

 

Does the 800k need to be transferred in one go?

Not likely, but the final balance of 800k must be reached by the deadlines 

7 minutes ago, eid_ said:

 

Does the 800k need to be transferred in one go?

No, but a balance of the full 800K must be in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to applying for the 1 year extension.

 

13 minutes ago, eid_ said:

Does the 800k need to be transferred in one go?

Correct answers above. 

WISE for example limits transfer amounts to some Thai banks. 

Just have a 800k balance seasoned for two months 

On 12/19/2025 at 2:46 PM, gk10012001 said:

I got the impression from wise website that most foreign transfers in go there first anyway before being transferred to other thai banks. 

All foreign transfers go through the HQ of Thai banks, those being the only branches with a SWIFT code, before being transferred to local branches.

Kasikorn.

Head Office

400/22 Phahon Yothin Road,
Sam Sen Nai Sub-district, Phaya Thai District, Bangkok
10400

SWIFT CODE : KASITHBK

8 hours ago, Liquorice said:

All foreign transfers go through the HQ of Thai banks, those being the only branches with a SWIFT code, before being transferred to local branches.

Kasikorn.

Head Office

400/22 Phahon Yothin Road,
Sam Sen Nai Sub-district, Phaya Thai District, Bangkok
10400

SWIFT CODE : KASITHBK

I've corrected that for you

 

For international SWIFT transfers to a Thai bank like Kasikornbank, the sender's bank routes the payment using the bank's general SWIFT code (e.g., KASITHBK). This code identifies Kasikornbank as the receiving institution in Thailand. The payment is sent to Kasikornbank's central international processing department (associated with its head office).

 

Kasikornbank then uses the beneficiary's local account number and branch information included in the SWIFT message to internally route and deposit the funds into the correct account at the specific local branch. The physical branch address of the head office is largely irrelevant for the transfer instructions; what matters is the SWIFT code and the recipient's full account details

13 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

The payment is sent to Kasikornbank's central international processing department (associated with its head office).

 

That's what I stated. Doh!

22 hours ago, Liquorice said:

All foreign transfers go through the HQ of Thai banks,

 

Thai account numbers start with a branch code anyway, so having separate branch information in the SWIFT message is redundant.

The OP asked specific question. 

Off topic posts will be removed. 

I've got my Kasikorn bank in another province so looking to open some other in Lampang - entered the country 6 days ago with Non-O so I still have some days left to transfer the money and have time for it to be seasoned before I need to apply for the yearly extension, right? (Visa for looking after my Thai kid)

 

With kasikorn not being an option, what could be the second best? Krungsri, Krungthai?

 

When I get my certificate of residency from immigration for opening a bank account, do I need to tell them which bank or can I just do it and then try multiple banks if I get trouble from the first one?

7 minutes ago, Santzes said:

I've got my Kasikorn bank in another province so looking to open some other in Lampang - entered the country 6 days ago with Non-O so I still have some days left to transfer the money and have time for it to be seasoned before I need to apply for the yearly extension, right? (Visa for looking after my Thai kid)

 

With kasikorn not being an option, what could be the second best? Krungsri, Krungthai?

 

When I get my certificate of residency from immigration for opening a bank account, do I need to tell them which bank or can I just do it and then try multiple banks if I get trouble from the first one?

 

I just finished opening a bank account for Non-O.     I don't know if it is "second best" but I opened the account at Krungthai and it was straightforward.  

 

Yes, when you apply for the CoR, you must specify the name of the bank.  Immigration will ask you for it and the CoR will list that bank name specifically.   You can always apply for more CoRs though if you need them.    

On 12/19/2025 at 3:39 PM, Caldera said:

Kasikorn Bank and WISE is a winning combination, you cannot go wrong with that.

 

Regarding a foreign check deposit, I'd say it's not a good idea with regards to the seasoning requirement - it might take a long time for the check to clear.

Agree.  Thai banks may accept a check drawn on a foreign bank, but will not credit the funds to the Thai account for an extended period - although it has been several years, the time period then was 45 days!

On 12/22/2025 at 4:45 PM, Santzes said:

When I get my certificate of residency from immigration for opening a bank account, do I need to tell them which bank or can I just do it and then try multiple banks if I get trouble from the first one?

 

On 12/22/2025 at 5:00 PM, SeeAyOh said:

Yes, when you apply for the CoR, you must specify the name of the bank.  Immigration will ask you for it and the CoR will list that bank name specifically.     

 

Depends on your local immigration office, I think. I was not asked to specify the name of the bank when I obtained a COR at Rayong a few weeks ago in order to open an account with Kasikorn.

 

At Jomtien they ask you which bank you want to use , then that is printed on the COR . After opening the account  , the bank keeps the COR , so if you want to open another account you have to get a fresh COR ( that's another 300 bt ) .

5 hours ago, persimmon said:

At Jomtien they ask you which bank you want to use , then that is printed on the COR . After opening the account  , the bank keeps the COR , so if you want to open another account you have to get a fresh COR ( that's another 300 bt ) .

 

It clearly depends on the IO as well as the banks. 

 

I got my COR at the Immigration Office in Sri Saket, and they didn't ask for the name of the bank. 

 

I used it with two different banks, both just made copies of the COR and returned the original without my asking. 

23 hours ago, persimmon said:

At Jomtien they ask you which bank you want to use , then that is printed on the COR . After opening the account  , the bank keeps the COR , so if you want to open another account you have to get a fresh COR ( that's another 300 bt ) .

Correct. I opened an account with Kaskikorn in Pattaya and Jomtien listed the bank's name on the COR which was kept by the bank.