I’m looking for ideas on how to open a bank account or savings account for my non-Thai children who live with me in Thailand and are under 18.

From what I understand, most Thai banks won’t open standard accounts for foreign minors until they’re older and I’m also struggling to open accounts overseas from Thailand particularly in the UK.

I’m open to:

• Thai solutions

• International or expat-friendly banks

• Offshore/junior accounts

• Digital banks or fintech options

• Parent-linked accounts

This is purely for children’s savings/spending money, so we’re not talking about large amounts here.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has successfully done this . What worked for you?

Since you make reference to the U.K, do you have access to a U.K address?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/cards-for-under-18s/

I have in theory my parents address (so my kids grandparents) but my kids were born overseas and have never lived or visited the UK. Going to assume that's a blocker if I wanted to set something up legally in the UK for them?

It's very frustrating! My 11-year-old son was born in Thailand, goes to school here and has lived his whole life here, yet it's impossible to open a Thai bank account for him. Seems ridiculous that he will have to wait until he's 18 before he can 'manage' his own money.

21 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It's very frustrating! My 11-year-old son was born in Thailand, goes to school here and has lived his whole life here, yet it's impossible to open a Thai bank account for him. Seems ridiculous that he will have to wait until he's 18 before he can 'manage' his own money.

I am in my mid forties and I’m not old enough to have a Thai bank account because I don’t qualify for a retirement visa.

The ones 65 or older are too old to have internet banking.

So there’s like this 15 year window between 50 and 65 where you are allowed to bank normally (as a foreigner - 80% of the banking Thai people can do is closed to you permanently).

Edited May 8May 8 by Everyman

1 minute ago, Everyman said:

I am in my mid forties and I’m not old enough to have a Thai bank account because I don’t qualify for a retirement visa.

The ones 65 or older are too old to have internet banking.

So there’s like this 15 year window between 50 and 65 where you are allowed to bank normally (as a foreigner - 80% of the banking Thai people can do is closed to you permanently).

Yes, but the thread is about Thai bank accounts for foreign kids living in Thailand.

4 hours ago, ReloTH said:

I have in theory my parents address (so my kids grandparents) but my kids were born overseas and have never lived or visited the UK. Going to assume that's a blocker if I wanted to set something up legally in the UK for them?

Possible option is for you to open an account and attach your kids to it.

e.g. Starling Kite https://www.starlingbank.com/current-account/under-16s-debit-card-for-kids/

I don't know about opening an account under their own names in the U.K.

Good thing about Starling is the lack of any Forex fee, so they can use it without charges in Thailand and beyond.

1 hour ago, Everyman said:

The ones 65 or older are too old to have internet banking.

What a crass statement!

If they can sign up for AN they can sign up for internet banking if they need it.

NOT all banking has to be done online!

22 hours ago, Everyman said:

I am in my mid forties and I’m not old enough to have a Thai bank account because I don’t qualify for a retirement visa.

Of course you can! Apply for an Elite Visa and you can open a bank account very easily.