They should do the same for prepaid phones

Just a note, I found it handy to keep my expired Thai DL. They have been expired for at least 4 years, but they are readily accept as ID. Worth hanging on to expired forms of ID. Especially, if they have your photo on them.

14 hours ago, Ricohoc said:

K-bank in Udon Thani wanted my US DL, which expired years ago. No exceptions even though I had NonO visa for 15+ years, a yellow book and pink ID card.

Hope your branch is more helpful.

Given all of the issues with Thai banking, my British wife and I recently went to open new accounts at 2 different K-banks in Hua Hin and experienced the same thing. Despite having Non O Visa/extensions for c10 years, our yellow book and pink Thai ID cards, they insisted on U.K. ID cards.

When we said the U.K. does not have ID cards they insisted on U.K. driving licences. Mine is yet to expire so I got an account. My wife’s U.K. driving licence had expired so no account.

They wouldn’t accept our Thai driving licences as the secondary photo ID has to be issued by your home country.

Edited yesterday at 01:35 AM1 day by skorts

I got a twelve month statement from the "big bank" a couple of months ago. All they wanted to see was my bank book, no request for passport.

19 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Having been posting here for almost 20 years it beggars belief that people are still using Bangkok Bank.

Hardly any post regarding problems with other banks.

The only advantage of using Bangkok Bank is that there is never anyone in our local branch so there is never any waiting. I have an SCB account as well and always have to wait up to an hour when going there.

19 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

So I have one of the four........passport.....the UK has no national ID, I live in my wife's house, so no tabien baan, and don't drive.......

I think there is a planned push to close expat accounts by some of the banks...primarily Bangkok Bank who also imposed a four month seasoning rule

you can still get a yellow book and pink id card

14 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I don't know but in the US don't be impressed if you meet a bank VICE president.

They tend to have many.

A few years back my sister was a vice president of Deutsche Bank. It means nothing because it didn't give her a spectacular wage. VP titles appear to be dished out freely.

I recently (last couple of months) tried to open another KBANK account that I wanted to use for just savings and was told I needed 2 forms of ID from my home country. They would only accept passport, DL from home country (mine has expired so they wouldn't accept it), national identity card (my country doesn't have such a thing) or house registration (doesn't exist in my country). They would not accept any Thai ID including my Thai DL and work permit card which are both issued by their own government and have photos on them.

They couldn't understand how absurd it was.

6 hours ago, Ricohoc said:

Bank branches, Immigration offices and local tax offices have much in common. It's different everywhere.

Add local amphurs to that list when is comes to the yellow tabien baan and pink ID card.

It would not surprise me in the slightest if the bottom line was that all 4 were gleefully and actively collaborating with each other with the sole and avowed aim of driving all non-immigrant "scum" (as they probably collectively see us) out of Thailand in the middle-to-long term.

15 hours ago, Ricohoc said:

K-bank in Udon Thani wanted my US DL, which expired years ago. No exceptions even though I had NonO visa for 15+ years, a yellow book and pink ID card.

K bank asked for my U.S. drivers license when I tried to open a new account with them a few months ago. I have a valid Calif DL. And they scanned my PP embedded info. Easy open new accounts with valid identification duc. No imm. Letter, no embassy letter (however it was one of the options).

Edited yesterday at 03:25 AM1 day by OneManShow

I just opened a new individual account with Kasicorn Bank two days ago. I already have a joint account, but my wife has been encouraging me to open an individual account strictly for Visa renewal purposes. We went to the bank with my passport and Visa only to be turned away because they needed another form of ID. I thought this was a bit strange, as we already have an account. Still, we returned the next day with my DL, passport, and Visa and opened without further issue.

What a mess!

Let's see - ID I have around the house.

Passport
Visa (which is in the passport)
Yellow house book
Pink card
DL for a car
DL for the motorcycle
Thai Tax ID
US Social Security Card
Birth Certificate
US Military Discharge DD-214

Edited yesterday at 03:51 AM1 day by connda

Getting more ridiculous.
According to this, even with a passport, visa extension and driving license it would not be enough.
Many countries do not have a separate ID as well as passport.
Many foreigners will not have a Tabien Baan in their name, even if they own a Condo.
The standard bank requirement in global banks is proof of address as well as personal ID and all the banks i use now require tax ID also.

I presume a rental contract would be enough for some foreigners instead of Tabien Baan. Thats what immigration accept.
For owners it may mean you have to get a yellow house book

I may have to check if a Thai tax ID is accceptable as a form of ID.
The B. bank already has my Thai tax ID details.
Its the equivalent of a Thai ID number. Maybe i would have to show a tax return.
I have used the tax ID number twice in the past to register in online systems when asked for an ID, with the only option being a thai ID, and it worked .

Edited yesterday at 04:03 AM1 day by jojothai
add info

21 hours ago, topt said:

Interesting that Bangkok Bank for example, which used to have a pretty detailed list of requirements for foreigners on their web site, now says this -

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Save-And-Invest/Save/Savings-Account

Leaves it wide open for a branch to make up their own requirements as well..........

On many levels they are considered to be the most ridiculous bank for foreigners to deal with, and the ones that create the most obstacles consistently.

1 hour ago, Searunner said:

I recently (last couple of months) tried to open another KBANK account that I wanted to use for just savings and was told I needed 2 forms of ID from my home country. They would only accept passport, DL from home country (mine has expired so they wouldn't accept it), national identity card (my country doesn't have such a thing) or house registration (doesn't exist in my country). They would not accept any Thai ID including my Thai DL and work permit card which are both issued by their own government and have photos on them.

They couldn't understand how absurd it was.

21 minutes ago, topcat333 said:

I just opened a new individual account with Kasicorn Bank two days ago. I already have a joint account, but my wife has been encouraging me to open an individual account strictly for Visa renewal purposes. We went to the bank with my passport and Visa only to be turned away because they needed another form of ID. I thought this was a bit strange, as we already have an account. Still, we returned the next day with my DL, passport, and Visa and opened without further issue.

So an inconsistent approach on Kasikorn's part to the home country address requirement, by the look of things. What a surprise!

20 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

So I have one of the four........passport.....the UK has no national ID, I live in my wife's house, so no tabien baan, and don't drive.......

I think there is a planned push to close expat accounts by some of the banks...primarily Bangkok Bank who also imposed a four month seasoning rule

I have been drawing down my staggered time deposit accounts with Bangkok Bank over the course of this year, and with the last of the deposits being withdrawn, the accounts have been closed. The manager of the branch has given me a vibe he could care less and may actually be glad to see me leave. But I can tell you one thing: the tellers knew that losing my 3MM baht in deposits isn't a good omen for their job security.

This whole KYC drive aimed at foreigners by banks is total BS. Whether you're talking about the requirement that foreigners get a yellow book, a pink ID, or a verification letter from your embassy that your passport is genuine, all of those additional layers of verification all go back to one issue: is your passport valid? That should be the job of Thai immigration to make that determination, not the bank's job, at least not unless they have a compelling reason to question the authenticity of a specific document.

Why is a bank taking it upon itself to verify whether a passport is valid??? What's the point of having a passport, if you have to verify that it's valid every time you turn around? What's next? You need a letter to verify your passport when you check into a hotel? Go to a hospital? Buy an airline ticket? And what happens when your passport is renewed and the number changes? Are you gonna have to re-verify that your passport is authentic? It's just ridiculous.

Edited yesterday at 04:10 AM1 day by Gecko123

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

On many levels they are considered to be the most ridiculous bank for foreigners to deal with, and the ones that create the most obstacles consistently.

My point was that previously that was not the case but yes, in the last few years, it seems to have gone that way.

4 hours ago, flexomike said:

I have been using them since 2002 and have never had an issue with them for anything.

Everyone seems to be assuming, for some reason or other, that it's Bangkok Bank that the video presenter means by Big Bank. However, it strikes me that there is a strong case for coming to the conclusion that he is, in fact, referring to Kasikorn Bank, who are not exactly a small bank and are the only Thai bank which, I understand, has (to date) introduced the ridiculous home country address requirement for prospective new account holders. So IMHO it is Kasikorn Bank, rather than Bangkok Bank, which everyone should be demonising and roundly condemning in this thread. But, of course, there are the diehards who would presumably still consider Kasikorn Bank to be the best thing in Thai banking since sliced bread, despite their home address requirement.

8 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Everyone seems to be assuming, for some reason or other, that it's Bangkok Bank that the video presenter means by Big Bank. However, it strikes me that there is a strong case for coming to the conclusion that he is, in fact, referring to Kasikorn Bank, who are not exactly a small bank and are the only Thai bank which, I understand, has (to date) introduced the ridiculous home country address requirement for prospective new account holders. So IMHO it is Kasikorn Bank, rather than Bangkok Bank, which everyone should be demonising and roundly condemning in this thread. But, of course, there are the diehards who would presumably still consider Kasikorn Bank to be the best thing in Thai banking since sliced bread, despite their home address requirement.

I am sure glad I'm working with accounts that have been grandfathered in before all these ridiculous new requirements. This would not be an easy time to move to Thailand and try to get settled in. With Anutin as PM it is likely the xenophobia is only going to be ramped up, as the man is quite a hateful, ignorant and sad creep.

22 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This would not be an easy time to move to Thailand and try to get settled in

All newcomers should be advised to bring 4 forms of ID with them. Even if it involves joining a library 🧐

9 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

All newcomers should be advised to bring 4 forms of ID with them. Even if it involves joining a library 🧐

I recently went to a "Big Bank" to obtain a Visa Debit card. They asked me for my US passport.
So, like Immigration, it seems that enforcement of so-called rules vary from office to office.

1 hour ago, Gecko123 said:

This whole KYC drive aimed at foreigners by banks is total BS.

Exactly.

All foreigners are treated the same -- whether banking with them (just about any Thai bank in 2026) for 10 years or just tried to open an account today.

The cash in the account is an available balance; and yet, you are restricted on how much you can move digitally of your own money.

Doesn't surprise me: Every year, when I go to the local Big Bank to get the bank letter and statement needed to renew my Retirement Visa, some clueless employee tries to convince me that I need 800,000 baht in a fixed-term account—and insists on it, even though they’ve known for 11 years that I use the monthly income method. Every single time, I have to ask for the branch manager, who then clears it up with a thousand apologies...and with an annual calendar, 10 ballpoint pens, and other freebies Every single time🤪🤪🤪

Edited yesterday at 05:59 AM1 day by 241195_1469957797

Passport with long term Thai visa/extension of stay plus proof of Thai address, which can be letter from immigration or registration in a house book, seems to work for me. The bank has a "white washing and know your client" questionnaire to be filled in as well. I use BBL and SCB, both similar requirements.

23 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Having been posting here for almost 20 years it beggars belief that people are still using Bangkok Bank.

Hardly any post regarding problems with other banks.

I must have been (am) lucky as I've banked with BBL for 20 years, having piggy backed on my wife's existing customer relationship with them to open my first (and only) Thai bank account.

They returned 100% of monies scammed from my account a few years ago, and only noticed by me because of their quick sms service. (un-explained multiple smallish withdrawals over a short period)

They provide me on the spot "bank letter" and statements for immigration (marriage extension).....no hassles

They handled a renewed "customer ID proof" following a system upgrade, quickly and efficiently .

In fact, the Customer Service Manager, a quite attractive lady, told me if I ever have any future problems, " I will service you personally ".....can't wait! 😋

So, no real complaints. So far 🙏

I've been with BBL Prachinburi branch for over 10 years and never had to show anything more than my UK passport. Last visa extension was in January and had no issue getting the guarantee letter. I've always found the staff there extremely helpful. Hope I haven't jinxed it now!

5 hours ago, steve187 said:

you can still get a yellow book and pink id card

Yes.....but told I have to have an MFA certified translation of my passport approved and that is after getting it certified as a real passport by the British Embassy in Bangkok......WT.....

22 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I also have a Kbank account and I had some big friction with them when they insisted that I fill out some US tax forms and they refused to accept that I had no US address to give them. It actually became a scene in the bank and lasted 15 minutes with managers being called in. It just didn't compute. Computer says no. Eventually they gave in but they weren't happy.

(To be clear I wasn't refusing to file the forms. That wasn't ever an option. Only insisting my residence was Thailand not the US.)

So my question you is if you're talking about opening a new Kbank account or did they pull that home country drivers license crap on you with an existing account.

I had the same thing. I just gave them my sister's address. Nobody is verifying.

3 hours ago, 1DegreeN said:

I've been with BBL Prachinburi branch for over 10 years and never had to show anything more than my UK passport. Last visa extension was in January and had no issue getting the guarantee letter. I've always found the staff there extremely helpful. Hope I haven't jinxed it now!

BBL Phan Thong 7yrs now for me, had to get new debit card and passbook earlier this.. not an issue with passport only.

Last year they called me to come in with passport and work permit before they would send out replacement credit card (old was due to expire).