Is there anyone who invests in Thai shares directly through a member broker of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, AND who is NOT a Thai resident?

If so, what bank do you use for money transfers and deposits?

I just found out that my Bank probably does not want me as a customer anymore because i do not live in Thailand.

Apparently they said a new BoT guideline does not allow foreigners to have ATM cards, internet banking or phone app services unless they have a long term visa in thailand? The bank said that for now my account can remain open but the only service i can use is bank branch over the counter service transactions in cash! And Thai brokers don't accept cash deposits anymore.

Anyway, my broker doesn't offer any solution either apart from suggesting i try at another bank.

Don't know what to do as i live overseas and don't want to have to come to thailand just for financial transactions.

Edited July 14Jul 14 by Tellurium128

I think you are runing into the new banking rules. Things here are very close to the chest as there are too many scams or chinese washing money. The BOT is doing everything it can to stop grey money coming in and unfortunately you are caught in this trap. The bank hasno idea where your money comes from could be scam or drug money as far as they know.

I don't think any bank in Thaialnd will open an account for a person not living in Thaialnd and having a thai phone.

16 hours ago, Tellurium128 said:

Is there anyone who invests in Thai shares directly through a member broker of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, AND who is NOT a Thai resident?

If so, what bank do you use for money transfers and deposits?

I just found out that my Bank probably does not want me as a customer anymore because i do not live in Thailand.

Thaicooking classes

Apparently they said a new BoT guideline does not allow foreigners to have ATM cards, internet banking or phone app services unless they have a long term visa in thailand? The bank said that for now my account can remain open but the only service i can use is bank branch over the counter service transactions in cash! And Thai brokers don't accept cash deposits anymore.

Anyway, my broker doesn't offer any solution either apart from suggesting i try at another bank.

Don't know what to do as i live overseas and don't want to have to come to thailand just for financial transactions.

If you do not live in Thailand it will not be possible to open a new bank account. The alternative would be to ask the stock broker if you can do an overseas transfer directly to your cash balance account at the brokerage. Or you have to use an international broker to access the Thai market.

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

I think you are runing into the new banking rules. Things here are very close to the chest as there are too many scams or chinese washing money. The BOT is doing everything it can to stop grey money coming in and unfortunately you are caught in this trap. The bank hasno idea where your money comes from could be scam or drug money as far as they know.

I don't think any bank in Thaialnd will open an account for a person not living in Thaialnd and having a thai phone.

To be clear, this is not a new bank account. It's been open for over 20 years. And i'm not looking to open a new account.

All of the money deposits into this account are from dividend payments by Thai stock investments, so its very clear to Bangkok bank where the money is coming from.

I used to live and work in Thailand but was caught outside of Thailand during covid and this is the first time i've been back in 7 years so all of my personal info - passport number, ATM cards etc - have expired and needed updating.

Seems i may just have to return next time on a long term visa and then the bank will treat me like a normal customer. Unless the rules change again

Edited July 15Jul 15 by Tellurium128

19 hours ago, Tellurium128 said:

To be clear, this is not a new bank account. It's been open for over 20 years. And i'm not looking to open a new account.

All of the money deposits into this account are from dividend payments by Thai stock investments, so its very clear to Bangkok bank where the money is coming from.

I used to live and work in Thailand but was caught outside of Thailand during covid and this is the first time i've been back in 7 years so all of my personal info - passport number, ATM cards etc - have expired and needed updating.

Seems i may just have to return next time on a long term visa and then the bank will treat me like a normal customer. Unless the rules change again

I was aware of your point and thank you for explaining the deposits. The issue though is that the banking commity with the push of BOT are tightening the screws to assist Thais in not getting scammed. Daddy restricting and watching out that kids do not go out in play so that they don't get hurt LOL

We as expats are getting caught. I leave it to the more knowledgable but think that if you come back and tell them that you have changed your address and gotten a new passport as well as a new knoe number if needed they should be willing to do something. I would be prepared to speak to a manager as the counter people have only so much ability to do anything. I find that they even have to consult with the online help desk for things.

On 7/14/2026 at 5:30 PM, Tellurium128 said:

Is there anyone who invests in Thai shares directly through a member broker of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, AND who is NOT a Thai resident?

...

I just found out that my Bank probably does not want me as a customer anymore because i do not live in Thailand.

....

Don't know what to do as i live overseas and don't want to have to come to thailand just for financial transactions.

Best wishes, and I hope you post the approach you eventually adopt. I suspect coming on a 90-day Type-O visa might be the approach to adopt to sort things out.

I am curious as a classmate friend of mine (from 1/2 century ago), lives in Canada with his Thai wife, but they typically come to Thailand for 5 months of every year. Going the visa exempt route (or the Tourist visa route) for him is not as attractive as it used to be - as it has involved visa runs and such every visit.

I suggested to him to come to Thailand next time (upcoming November) on a 90-day Type-O visa (based on retirement), open a bank account, transfer 800k Thai baht to the account, and then go for a 60 day extension of his permission to stay for visit of family (visit of his wife's family), (or possibly even a 1 year extension for retirement as he would have 800k THB in a Thai bank).

Clearly he would not nominally have a Thai permanent address of his own, although he likely could use his wife's Thai family address. Once he has the Thai bank account it would make it easy for him to get visa extensions. The 800k Thai baht amount is no issue for him given his finances. Of course he could go for 90-day type-O based on marriage and an extension based on marriage, but knowing him, he likely would prefer the 800kTHB route if it saved paperwork and reduced application approval time.

Anyway, your situation is of interest to me, as i am curious if there are aspects to your final approach/solution, there that might be relevant to what my classmate friend and help him to decide.