I have been coming to Thailand 12 years now for hols. I am here on a visa exempt obtained at airport. How does one go about opening a bank acc so can deposit the 800000baht for retirement visa. I tried once and was told I need a work permit or Edu. Visa.

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Just keep trying until you find one that is willing to let you open an account.

You try different branch banks until one allows. Bangkok Bank policy is listed below - but don't expect many branch banks to know it.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Bank/Personal%20Banking/Foreign%20Customers/Pages/Opening%20an%20account%20new.aspx

I did it back in November 2010.

You really usually need a Non immigrant O visa....which you can get at a Thai consulate in your home country. That's what the banks really want...either that or a Work Permit.

You also can get one if you are married to a Thai...and if you are over 50 and plan to come to Thailand for retirement. (The visa I mean).

Different Thai consulates will have different "requirements" they will tell you....so contact a Thai consulate to get their take on what is "required" from you.

You can also get that Non immigrant O visa here in neighnoring countries....but most everyone who is sucessful getting that visa here in S,E, Asia is married to a Thai..it's difficult to get that visa locally simply based on retirement.

You can also enter Thailand on a tourist visa, and convert it here (for a fee) to that Non immigrant O you need to open that bank account.

Once you have that visa you need to make the rounds of the banks and ask about opening an account for retirement . Some will say no, and give you phoney reasons why you can't open the account. keep trying, one branch of a bank my say no, but another branch will say yes.

I opened mine in this bank and branch:

Bangkok Bank

Soi 43 Sukhumvit Road branch

Bangkok

I found them to be the most "Farang friendly" branch....but your experience may differ.

Just keep trying. Don't let being turned down a few times keep you from trying again.

Edited June 10, 201214 yr by IMA_FARANG

Kasikorn Bank have a reputation for being most helpful.

Try branches that are in shopping centers such as Big C or Tesco or tourist areas where they will be more used to dealing with foreigners.

Keep trying and you will get one.

More information Here.

I did it back in November 2010.

You really usually need a Non immigrant O visa....which you can get at a Thai consulate in your home country. That's what the banks really want...either that or a Work Permit.

You also can get one if you are married to a Thai...and if you are over 50 and plan to come to Thailand for retirement. (The visa I mean).

Different Thai consulates will have different "requirements" they will tell you....so contact a Thai consulate to get their take on what is "required" from you.

You can also get that Non immigrant O visa here in neighnoring countries....but most everyone who is sucessful getting that visa here in S,E, Asia is married to a Thai..it's difficult to get that visa locally simply based on retirement.

You can also enter Thailand on a tourist visa, and convert it here (for a fee) to that Non immigrant O you need to open that bank account.

Once you have that visa you need to make the rounds of the banks and ask about opening an account for retirement . Some will say no, and give you phoney reasons why you can't open the account. keep trying, one branch of a bank my say no, but another branch will say yes.

I opened mine in this bank and branch:

Bangkok Bank

Soi 43 Sukhumvit Road branch

Bangkok

I found them to be the most "Farang friendly" branch....but your experience may differ.

Just keep trying. Don't let being turned down a few times keep you from trying again.

Nonsense, he doesn't need a visa just to open a bank account. Agreed, he may as well get one if he is going to start the retirement extension process though, but not necessary.

Plenty of information here. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/260738-opening-a-new-bank-account-in-thailand/

No particular visa needed, especially in places such as Bangkok, Pattaya or Phuket, becomes more complicated upcountry and out in the sticks but perserverance and diversity pays divdends.

If at 1st ya don't succeed try try again.I didn't have trouble my 1st time around 5 years ago.I opwened it at Kasikorn bank.Next one will be at bangkok bank.no visa

Try the Kasikorn at Central Bang Na. The only thing their request is a phone number, adress and e-mail from a Thai person who you know.

It worked for me some years ago and still now some friends who are coming to here and want to open a bank account succeed everytime.

Good luck on it

There is no "correct answer" --- no posters here are right or wrong -- and none of the previous posts are "nonsense"!!

It is a matter of pot luck -- because whatever the correct regulations re a foreigner opening a bank account may be --- different banks -- different days -- all different responses.

Years ago went to the Bangkok Bank (Emporium -- Sukhumvit Rd) with simply a tourist visa. They could not have been more helpful. Bank account ?? -- certainly!! ATM card ?? -- no problem!! internet banking?? -- Oh no!!! cannot without a WP.

18 months later with a Business visa and now owning a business in a different part of BKK ----- I foolishly thought that transferring my account to the local Bangkok Bank branch would be a mere formality. Very wrong. Cannot transfer!! They would also not open a new account without a WP.

So the message is clear -- you have no choice but to keep trying different Banks and different branches. As a previous poster observed --- the Kasikorn Bank is reputed to be easier to get on with than the others.

If you can produce a Thai drivers license (which is really easy to get) that will go a long way towards preventing a "no can" answer.

All you need is a passport and some money. Maybe a letter or signature from an existing account holder.

Bangkok Bank even have an application form marked 'Bank Account for Tourists'

All Kasikorn branches in Pattaya will do for you, with just a copy of your passport. I'm not sure about bkk, but if you try kasikorn branches in the tourist spots you'll probably get some joy.

I have been visiting the LOS for the past seven years or so on tourist visas,

and recently I opened two bank accounts, (savings acount with ATM card)

at SCB and Bangkok Bank, both in Bangkok.

I had no difficulties and managed to do it on the first try.

I took along a friend who is a Thai citizen and who speaks Thai.

Edited June 11, 201214 yr by Maestro
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