I wanted to open a fixed deposit account (for Extension of Stay, 'Money in Bank') and a private account with Kasikorn. I have lived continuously in Thailand for 10 years with Extension of Stay Non-O, Retirement. I am married to a Thai citizen. I wanted to open this account two months ago, but I only had two months of stay remaining, and they told me to come back after my next extension. At that time, the documents I had seemed sufficient (passport copies with my Non-O visa from 2015, all Extension of Stay stamps since then, Certificate of Residence from Immigration, land lease contact for over 30 years, land title with the lease registered in my name and a copy of my driver's license).

 

After renewing my Extension of Stay for another year, I went back but they refused to open the account. They said the regulations had become stricter since then. It would only be possible to open a Bank account with a work permit or a 'Yellow Tabien Baan'.

 

I was told the same thing at Bangkok Bank eight months ago when I wanted to open a new FD account (for a better interest rate), even though I've had an account with Bangkok Bank for 15 years and have currently around 4 million baht in it.

 

Both banks are located in Takua Pa, Phang Nga.

 

I was annoyed. To put it diplomatically.

43 minutes ago, Sato said:

They said the regulations had become stricter since then. It would only be possible to open a Bank account with a work permit or a 'Yellow Tabien Baan'

Sounds like rubbish from banks and not lining up with reports is other locations. 

Also you have extension based on retirement. Work permit not possible. 

Yellow Ta bien requirement is nonsense. 

Have you considered trying another location. 

 

47 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Sounds like rubbish from banks and not lining up with reports is other locations. 

Also you have extension based on retirement. Work permit not possible. 

Yellow Ta bien requirement is nonsense. 

Have you considered trying another location. 

 

Of course I fully agree with your statement: Yellow Tabien Baan requirement is non sense as well as I was denied to open a Bank Account as I stay since 10 years full year in Thailand on extension of stay.

 

Unfortunately a lot of things in Thailand is non sense.

 

I will wait for a couple of month, observe what's further going on with this Banking non sense in Thailand and will then try again with SCB.

 

4 minutes ago, Sato said:

I will wait for a couple of month, observe what's further going on with this Banking non sense in Thailand and will then try again with SCB.

SCB is pretty well known for wanting work permits.  It's not impossible without one, but they love that as a requirement for any account there.

18 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

SCB is pretty well known for wanting work permits.  It's not impossible without one, but they love that as a requirement for any account there.

 

I've had a difficulty opening a bank account before. I just kept trying. First I got an account with SCB (retirement-based EOS, no work permit), and later with Kasikorn. 

Wonder whether the fact that the OP is after a new fixed deposit account - as opposed to a "common or garden" savings one - might be the problematical issue (rightly or, more likely, wrongly) here.

 

19 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

SCB is pretty well known for wanting work permits.  It's not impossible without one, but they love that as a requirement for any account there.

About 4 years ago, I opened accounts at SCB while on my first extension as retired.  I requested that they open an EZ Savings account for me (1.5%,no book).  At first I was told that I needed a work permit.  I responded by explaining my retirement extension did not allow me to work.  I then asked them to call their support staff at headquarters.  Soon they created a normal savings account for me and started opening the EZ Savings but that process hit a snag.  I asked them if a Thai tax ID would help and they said yes.  The next morning I went to the Chiang Mai regional TRD office with passport, COR from Immigration and my Bangkok Bank book.  I had my tax ID in 15 minutes.  I returned to SCB and the process of opening the EZ Savings account was completed.  Since I didn't want to bother filing Thai taxes to recover the tax withheld, I also asked that they not withhold any Thai tax from my meager interest payments,.  So far no tax has been withheld.

21 hours ago, Sato said:

I was annoyed. To put it diplomatically.

My experience ............ went in to pink bank with ....... yellow house book, pink ID card, drivers license & work permit!

 

Guy said, I need a letter from my employer stating that I work there! The work permit had entries for 6 years. LOL.

Just looked at him, started laughing & left.

 

Went to another pink branch in town. presented same docs & account promptly opened.

 

My wife told me that I shouldn't do it BUT ........ went back to the first bank, asked for the previous guy, showed him the new bank book & ATM card & laughed at him again. He was not pleased, but it made me happy. 🙂 All of this happened within an hour of being turned down & then approved. Don't give up. 🙂 

47 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

So far no tax has been withheld.

Tried same, but they insisted tax needs to be taken. No point in arguing with them & explaining that with my tax ID, this is a reasonable request.

Impressed you even leave that much in the Thai banks knowing their illegal freezing of funds while not explaining a thing / giving any apologies after, repeatedly. You would be better off having it in actual cash and gold or even just rent some deposit box in BKK, barely costs money compared to what bank fees are today.

52 minutes ago, hughrection said:

Tried same, but they insisted tax needs to be taken. No point in arguing with them & explaining that with my tax ID, this is a reasonable request.

 

One aspect about withholding tax on interest earned on ones Thai savibgs account is that per Thai tax law, ...  by such tax being paid, ones Thai tax obligations for that interest has been met, ...  and that interest no longer is considered assessable income as part of the determination for assessing if  Thai tax return is required.

58 minutes ago, hughrection said:

Tried same, but they insisted tax needs to be taken. No point in arguing with them & explaining that with my tax ID, this is a reasonable request.

Further to this , Thai tax law clearly states one has the option to choose whether they wish tax withheld or not, so by refusing you the bank is not following Thai tax law.

11 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

One aspect about withholding tax on interest earned on ones Thai savibgs account is that per Thai tax law, ...  by such tax being paid, ones Thai tax obligations for that interest has been met, ...  and that interest no longer is considered assessable income as part of the determination for assessing if  Thai tax return is required.

I’d go further & say that the tax you’ve paid on the interest can be offset against other Tax you might owe. 
 

I plan my remittances so that the tax liability is less than the tax I’ve paid on the interest from my accounts so they owe me money (which I never bother to reclaim). 

2 hours ago, hughrection said:

Tried same, but they insisted tax needs to be taken. No point in arguing with them & explaining that with my tax ID, this is a reasonable request.

A common reaction.... often staff here resist making the effort to determine the correct information.

8 hours ago, OJAS said:

Wonder whether the fact that the OP is after a new fixed deposit account - as opposed to a "common or garden" savings one - might be the problematical issue (rightly or, more likely, wrongly) here.

 

No. I did not mentioned to them. I only said I want to open a Bank account.

6 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Impressed you even leave that much in the Thai banks knowing their illegal freezing of funds while not explaining a thing / giving any apologies after, repeatedly. You would be better off having it in actual cash and gold or even just rent some deposit box in BKK, barely costs money compared to what bank fees are today.

Indeed. In addition, it is not a problem to bring in money to Thailand but it may be a problem to bring a larger amount of money out of Thailand. Larger transfers out of Thailand must be approved by the Bank of Thailand. Some Banks are not helpful in this process.

However, it was before this chaos with Thai Banks has started when I brought a larger amount of money into Thailand. Furthermore, as a Swiss it is very difficult to keep a Swiss Bank as soon as you no longer live in Switzerland. Most Banks will close your account.

1 hour ago, Sato said:

No. I did not mentioned to them. I only said I want to open a Bank account.

 

You should have said that you wanted to open a savings account, but I'm not sure if it would have made a difference.

50 minutes ago, Maestro said:

 

You should have said that you wanted to open a savings account, but I'm not sure if it would have made a difference.

It wouldn't. Nothing special about FD account. 

Same requirements. 

SCB bank have specific requirements in the main for EZ account. 

In any event op was refused even at Kasikon. Weird. 

 

Just try another branch of Kasikorn. I was recently denied an account at Kasikorn because they didn’t understand what my LTR visa was. The next branch opened an account without any problem.

2 hours ago, Martyp said:

Just try another branch of Kasikorn. I was recently denied an account at Kasikorn because they didn’t understand what my LTR visa was. The next branch opened an account without any problem.

Your first mistake is trying to get an account on your own.  The BOI has clear information on how they will assist you to get a bank account.

But generally for a bank account the information is accurate to just keep trying different ones until you succeed.

17 hours ago, Sato said:

IFurthermore, as a Swiss it is very difficult to keep a Swiss Bank as soon as you no longer live in Switzerland. Most Banks will close your account.

As a Swiss what is the definition of "living in Switzerland" under Swiss law? 

59 minutes ago, Asean Tiger said:

As a Swiss what is the definition of "living in Switzerland" under Swiss law? 

I do not understand your question

On 12/25/2025 at 3:06 AM, hughrection said:

On 12/24/2025 at 5:07 AM, Sato said:

I was annoyed. To put it diplomatically.

My experience ............ went in to pink bank with ....... yellow house book, pink ID card, drivers license & work permit!...

 

I know the name of the bank to which some members of this forum like to refer as the yellow bank (Krungsri bank, SWIFT identifier AYUD) and and the name of the bank some people call the green bank (Kasikorn bank, SWIFT identifier KASI), but what bank is the pink bank?

18 minutes ago, Maestro said:

I know the name of the bank to which some members of this forum like to refer as the yellow bank (Krungsri bank, SWIFT identifier AYUD) and and the name of the bank some people call the green bank (Kasikorn bank, SWIFT identifier KASI), but what bank is the pink bank?

 

The Government Savings Bank (GSB), SWIFT code GSBATHBK.

Thank you.

22 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Your first mistake is trying to get an account on your own.  The BOI has clear information on how they will assist you to get a bank account.

But generally for a bank account the information is accurate to just keep trying different ones until you succeed.

 No. I know how to get a bank account. I got a Bangkok Bank account in 2024 with my LTR. Even with this recent experience with Kasikorn I had all the right documents. All the BOI office did was suggest i use the Kasikorn branch downstairs from their office.

 

That Kasikorn branch didn't deny me because I didn't have the right documents. They denied me because they said they can't open an account for a foreigner without a non-immigrant visa. The LTR is not a non-immigrant visa. The BOI said is was a "special" visa . . . whatever that means. In any case, the Kasikorn representative on the phone simply didn't know what an LTR was. I mentioned that the LTR is a 10 year visa and she repeated that she couldn't open an account for me. I wasn't going to argue the point. I knew she was wrong and I sought out another branch.

On 12/25/2025 at 8:51 PM, Sato said:

I do not understand your question

The comment that Swiss banks would close a Swiss citizen accounts if the my do not “live in Switzerland” so what is the definition of live?

I’ll just say clearly if I had to move all my investments and Savings out of US banks and brokerages and deposit them in Thailand to because Indont “live” in USA that would be the final straw. No way . In the US context there is no definition of “living”. There is only possibly having a US address, or for tax purposes spending a certain number of days outside the country where a certain PORTION of foreign earned income is tax exempt. 

 

4 hours ago, Martyp said:

 No. I know how to get a bank account. I got a Bangkok Bank account in 2024 with my LTR. Even with this recent experience with Kasikorn I had all the right documents. All the BOI office did was suggest i use the Kasikorn branch downstairs from their office.

 

That Kasikorn branch didn't deny me because I didn't have the right documents. They denied me because they said they can't open an account for a foreigner without a non-immigrant visa. The LTR is not a non-immigrant visa. The BOI said is was a "special" visa . . . whatever that means. In any case, the Kasikorn representative on the phone simply didn't know what an LTR was. I mentioned that the LTR is a 10 year visa and she repeated that she couldn't open an account for me. I wasn't going to argue the point. I knew she was wrong and I sought out another branch.

 

How long ago was it when you were denied opening an account in Kasikorn due to your LTR not being a non-immigrant visa?

 

About a year ago (?) , when my wife was chatting to a Thai friend who at that time was a local branch manager of a bank in Phuket Central Festival shopping center, she advised she had only 'just' received approval from her bank HQ to allow foreigners on LTR to open Bank Accounts. She noted that most other bank branches in Central Festival had not yet been authorized to do so by their HQ bank in Bangkok (the local branch managers often go to lunch together and swap stories).   Some bank branch managers may be more willing to take a risk (if HQ not yet authorized / changed procedure) than other bank managers.

 

Sometimes, a very gentle and very very polite push back does wonders.

 

Last year i was denied to get an International Driver's Licence (based on my Thai driver's licence) from the local Transport office (here in the province where i live in Thailand). We sat down with the head manager of that Transport office, and we agreed (1) i would contact BoI and advise them of the issue, and (2) they would contact the Transport office HQ and advise their procedure/rules did not allow them to provide an International Driver's licence to an LTR visa holder.  Within a day, the Transport office called us back, and stated to come in and get the international driver's licence as Transport HQ approved such. Their 'procedure/rules' had not yet been updated.

 

i suspect it the same for Kasikorn branch.  Either the rules/procedures established by Kasikorn HQ had not been updated , or updated rules had not yet been circulated to the branch where you applied for an account.   A very polite gentle push back, can sometimes help get the rules/procedures and circulation of such updated.

 

Glad to read thou, you succeeded elsewhere.

5 hours ago, Asean Tiger said:

The comment that Swiss banks would close a Swiss citizen accounts if the my do not “live in Switzerland” so what is the definition of live?

I’ll just say clearly if I had to move all my investments and Savings out of US banks and brokerages and deposit them in Thailand to because Indont “live” in USA that would be the final straw. No way . In the US context there is no definition of “living”. There is only possibly having a US address, or for tax purposes spending a certain number of days outside the country where a certain PORTION of foreign earned income is tax exempt. 

 

I believe US tax laws are unique in this regards. Most European countries differ significantly. In Switzerland, you must register with the municipality on the first day you take up residence, and from that day on, you are liable for taxes and must take out health insurance. As soon as you move away from Switzerland (but at the latest after being out of the country for more than three months), you must deregister with the municipality. From that day on, you are no longer liable for taxes in Switzerland (and therefore no longer pay taxes on, for example, your pension or retirement income).

There is no law in Switzerland that obligates banks to allow Swiss citizens to have bank accounts with them. Banks are also free to close their customers' accounts at any time without giving a reason. If a bank suspects that a customer is no longer resident in Switzerland, they will request proof (e.g., a certificate of residence from the municipality where they are registered). My bank discovered that I no longer live in Switzerland (presumably because my pension fund money had been paid into my account). As a result, the bank froze all my accounts. I had great difficulty finding a bank where I could open an account. In all of Switzerland, this was only possible with a handful of banks.

On 12/25/2025 at 9:59 AM, ChaiyaTH said:

Impressed you even leave that much in the Thai banks knowing their illegal freezing of funds

Something that does not generally happen, specific, isolated cases, yes maybe, but there's always a reason for them doing that and it is not illegal.