Hi there!

I am planning to stay in Thailand for a while (as a tourist) and Is there a way to open a bank savings and check account in Thailand without a work permit? (I even do not ask the question for a Thai credit card ...

Like taking on the account of someone wishing to close his one...

But still abiding by the law of course...

Thanks a bunch!

This tree discuss the formalities for open a bank account in Thailand.

Bank account in Thailand

Anyone here ine that forum that have managed to open a Thai bank account on a Tourist visa recently??

Thanks George. You are so helpful, as usual...

I go to Bangkok next week and will try then (as a tourist) to find a place to rent and to open an account.

Will let you informed.

Cheers!

Have found the Siam Commercial Bank the easiest to open acct. for tourists. Also the fastest when doing money transfers

It's not necessary to have a work permit in order to open a bank account.  Even just a tourist visa will suffice.  I have successfully opened two bank accounts on a tourist visa, with Bangkok Bank.  One was at the Bangkok Airport branch, the other was in Chiangmai.  Definitely opening the one in Chiangmai was much more difficult, with more questions, though already having an account helped a lot.  Opening the one at the airport was easy -- no questions asked.  Seems the staff at the airport branch know the rules and regulations better.

Chuck

I think just try it at all banks,till you have it. ::

Open one back in the UK. 'Bangkok Bank' has 2 branches in London, one in the city, and one near the Thai embassy. You can go in and open an account in there! Also 'HSBC' have branches all over London and BKK.

Since I first came to Thailand I have opened 21 bank accounts.  I do not have a work permit.  Never a problem only showed my passport.

The bank usually offers a visa electron card .

I managed to get the wife to get me an internet a/c at bank Krung Threp and I only  ever had a tourist visa.

Just ask they can only say NO..go away bad farang...or OK.

Just walk in there with £5000, or $5000 in cash and they will give you an account alright, visa or not!!!

Hi There,

          I  was in thailand last month on holiday.   Walked into a branch of the Bangkok Bank and asked if I could open a bank account with them.     Immediately they said yes, looked at my passport and asked for my address in Thailand. I deposited 5000 Baht and got an ATM card which you must use at a Bangkok Bank ATM in Thailand otherwise you cannot use it outside Thailand.

          IF you turned down by one bank just try the others

                               Good luck

3 years ago, Thailand enacted a new rule that a foreigner cannot open an account without showing a work visa. Since all the banks hated this new law and found a way to "skirt the system", this law was repealed and declared null. Today, you should have no problem opening an account. I think the most uptight bank will be the largest bank in the world, CITIBANK of USA. Also, Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (HSBC) used to be strict but not anymore.

Stick with the Thai banks. They are slow and inefficient and remind me of USA banks in the 1960s but they really want your money and wont have a problem with you opening an account.