Opening Bank Account

[Jim77]

My friend is staying on Koh Samui for 3 month and He wants to open a bank account.

He has only tourist visa.

Can he open bank account here?

If he can, please let me know which one.

[oldsailor35]

I had no problems with Bangkok Bank at Big C Chaweng. But i am on a non immigrant 'O' visa

Edited February 24, 2013 by oldsailor35

[BigC]

they are stricter than they used to be.

i opened with a tourist visa., Vank of audya in chaweng used to but not sure about now

[Tropicalevo]

they are stricter than they used to be.

i opened with a tourist visa., Vank of audya in chaweng used to but not sure about now

For the people that cannot speak BigC - Bank of Ayudhya (the yellow one)

As Big C wrote - they are more strict now - maybe, maybe not. Good luck

(Try different branches as well - the branch in Choengmon was more relaxed when I opened my account.)

[Dancealot]

I learned farangs on a tourist visa get the best chance at Kasikorn. He has to provide a legitimate address while applying.

[Neilly]

I opened an account with Bangkok Bank years ago on a tourist visa...they still do it but best to go to the main branch in Nathon.

Picked this up the other day when I was sorting something else out

[samuijimmy]

I opened an account with Bangkok Bank years ago on a tourist visa...they still do it but best to go to the main branch in Nathon.

Picked this up the other day when I was sorting something else out

BB Flyer0001 (Large) (2).jpg

Bophut Branch will do it too, better service there than Nathon!

[bikkalad]

think you need a Tabien Ban???

[NHJ]

think you need a Tabien Ban???

Lol not at all otherwise 99% of the foreigners would never have a bank account in thailand.

[oldsailor35]

I opened an account with Bangkok Bank years ago on a tourist visa...they still do it but best to go to the main branch in Nathon.

Picked this up the other day when I was sorting something else out

BB Flyer0001 (Large) (2).jpg

Well i opened an account about 2 months ago with Bangkok Bank at bottom of Big C Chaweng. As i have said, no problems whatsoever, so i don't know why these other posters have been getting difficulties.

[oldsailor35]

I opened an account with Bangkok Bank years ago on a tourist visa...they still do it but best to go to the main branch in Nathon.

Picked this up the other day when I was sorting something else out

BB Flyer0001 (Large) (2).jpg

[/quote

Was only asked for a) and d)

[depi]

Krungsri at Chaweng wanted work permittion to open bank acc. Then I open in SCB at Big C without problems.

[Neilly]

Then I open in SCB at Big C without problems.

[AngThong]

Anyone tried opening an account on Pha Ngan, tourist visa, no work permit, no "proof of address"? I guess I can just pop over to Samui otherwise... Are they all same same or is some bank preferable (lower costs, whatever)?

[AngThong]

Anyone?

Do I have to have an embassy certified copy of my passport? All I have now is passport, tourist visa and driving licence. Plus I think I have a statement for my HSBC UK bank account somewhere...

I'll have to pop over to Samui anyway but to save time, would be great to know where I'm most likely to be able to open a bank account. Big C?

[Opl]

Good morning,

" For the first time! Today you can open an online account via SCB Easy Net by yourself and be able to use it right away! No complicated process, no passbook to bother you, no document required, Do not have to go to the bank, No more waiting, No time wastes. Available for both savings and fixed deposit accounts."

... that's what they say on this website..

https://www.scbeasy.com/v1.4/site/presignon/en/cnt/cnt.asp

Edited March 8, 2013 by Opl

[PoorSucker]

Good morning,

" For the first time! Today you can open an online account via SCB Easy Net by yourself and be able to use it right away! No complicated process, no passbook to bother you, no document required, Do not have to go to the bank, No more waiting, No time wastes. Available for both savings and fixed deposit accounts."

... that's what they say on this website..

https://www.scbeasy.com/v1.4/site/presignon/en/cnt/cnt.asp

But you need an account to log in with to open an on-line account.

[madhav]

Any updates to this? Looking to open an account asap. Will be here for at least 1 year on tourist visa.

Is SCB at Big C still the go?

[Tropicalevo]

Any updates to this? Looking to open an account asap. Will be here for at least 1 year on tourist visa.

Is SCB at Big C still the go?

It seems to be pot luck.

Different people at different banks interpret the rules differently. (Depending on what they had for lunch?)

My neighbour/renter found it easier when I gave him a one year lease and a copy of the house book! Thais seem to love 'official' documents.

Good luck

[madhav]

Any updates to this? Looking to open an account asap. Will be here for at least 1 year on tourist visa.

Is SCB at Big C still the go?

It seems to be pot luck.

Different people at different banks interpret the rules differently. (Depending on what they had for lunch?)

My neighbour/renter found it easier when I gave him a one year lease and a copy of the house book! Thais seem to love 'official' documents.

Good luck

Yes I have read through several threads and indeed there doesn't appear to much logic. I will just keep trying several banks and hope that they are in a good mood and eaten a nice lunch.

Ironically I need to transfer a decent amount of money to a Thai account for this exact purpose, paying rent! So it's a catch 22 situation.

[AngThong]

Wearing "proper" clothing also helps - they're less likely to have an issue with someone in a business suit than with an obvious tourist in flip-flops, shorts and a wifebeater. Even if you don't have a suit, long sleeves help.

[madhav]

I went to SCB at Big C and they didn't want to play ball. The lady didn't have a good breakfast or something as she was a little impatient... basically looked at me, straight away asked for my work permit, (which I obviously don't have) and then sent me away.

Was driving back home and and saw a Kasikorn and thought I might as well give it a shot. Walked in and they asked no questions about any work permit, just made a copy of my passport and opened the account on the spot. Since this went so well I thought I would try Krungthai and they were also very helpful. Offered me whatever card I wanted, blue diamond or pearl or whatever and were very casual about the whole thing.

So overall was pretty successful.

Edited January 16, 2014 by madhav

[Gulfsailor]

Krungthai probably would accept any and all new depositors right now. Majority owned by the government and after BAAC fails to pay rice farmers, Krungthai will most likely have to 'loan' the required billions...

[pokerspiv]

I had no issues opening an account at the Kasikorn branch in Lamai Tesco. Didn't even ask to see my visa.