You can’t just go to any Thai bank with your tourist visa and open an account. Most of the time you’ll be rejected.
Thailand is becoming more strict in preventing short-term visitors from opening accounts here.
But there are certain bank branches that will let you open an account.
Banks that let you open an account even with a tourist visa are usually located in tourist areas.
If you’re in Bangkok, you’ll want to look in the Silom, Siam, and Sukhumvit sections.
If you’re in Chiang Mai, check out Central Festival, Promenada, Nimmanhaemin, and Old Town.
Remember that each bank in Thailand has different regulations.
If you can’t open an account at Bangkok Bank in Siam Paragon, a nearby Kasikorn Bank might let you.
For Bangkok Bank, there are online instructions available on how to open an account as a non-resident.
Those instructions are a good guideline regardless of which bank you’re applying for.
Dress nicely and consider bringing a Thai person to help translate when opening an account.
Sometimes if you’re willing to deposit 30,000 baht to 50,000 baht rather than just the minimum balance banks may help you.
It’s not required, but it makes life somewhat easier. As mentioned above, it’s a bit of a branch-by-branch thing.If approved, you’ll get a bankbook and debit card.
For some things like updating your passport number on file, you’ll have to contact the branch where you opened the account.
For general banking, you can use whatever branch is convenient.
If you can’t find a bank that’ll let you open an account, try CIMB.
The Malaysian bank group CIMB has a significant presence in Thailand.
The recommended branch to deal with is the one on the fifth floor of Siam Paragon.
What’s good about them is that they’ll let you open an account on a tourist visa, and unlike many other banks will also set you up with online banking.
Here’s what you’ll need to open an account with CIMB:
- your passport
- proof of address from your home country
- at least three utility bills from Thailand
- Thai phone number
- a Thai national who’ll’d serve as a reference
They’ll give you a VISA debit card on the spot after you pay a 300 baht fee, and they’ll expect a minimum deposit of 1,000 baht.If you are on a tourist visa, they’ll set you up with online banking.
The Malaysian bank group CIMB has a significant presence in Thailand.
The recommended branch to deal with is the one on the fifth floor of Siam Paragon.
What’s good about them is that they’ll let you open an account on a tourist visa, and unlike many other banks will also set you up with online banking.
Here’s what you’ll need to open an account with CIMB:
- your passport
- proof of address from your home country
- at least three utility bills from Thailand
- Thai phone number
- a Thai national who’ll’d serve as a reference
They’ll give you a VISA debit card on the spot after you pay a 300 baht fee, and they’ll expect a minimum deposit of 1,000 baht.If you are on a tourist visa, they’ll set you up with online banking.