How to open a bank account in Thailand for foreigners 

Three things. 1) Keep the passport that you used to open the Thai bank account. Why? When that passport expires (in 5 or 10 years) you will need the SAME passport, with the SAME passport number to proove the bank account is yours should you forget/lose your ATM PIN number or Internet banking log in password. Note that for Thai people their national ID card number does not change throughout their life but your passport number will change when you get a new passport. 2) Those from the USA will be asked a few more questions because the Thai bank will need to conform to the US FATCA reporting requirements. 3) WISE is good for sending money TO Thailand but you cannot use it to send money FROM Thailand. Since the financial crisis Thailand ( and many other southeast countries) went through in 1997-1998 Thai authorities have made it more difficult to get money out of Thailand. These restrictions will not apply if you have a Thai Work Permit.

Thank you so much, I've never heard this explained so clearly, thanks for sharing. Top man 👍😊

Some great information here, thanks...I'll soon be able to transfer to my new thai bank account. 😊

Really appreciate this bro!!

Bangkok Bank in Chiangrai only needs a letter from immigration to confirm your address.

Great video and great information. Thank you, on behalf of myself, and all who watch and benefit from your videos.

Why does a passport holder need to get a certified letter from their embassy???? Seems like the passport itself is "certified".

Good info is always a gem, thanks.

Jeepers cats! Weed is legal and it’s that difficult to get a basic checking account?

Exactly, That is 100% spot-on.

VERY Helpful...Thanks!

As I write this on 27 July 2023 inside BKk Bank Emporium this method is redundant and no more valid…they need a work permit AND a non O visa!…less than a month ago I was here this method was still valid and explained to me by the counter staff who ONLY needs more than 30 days tourist visa and passport confirmation from embassy….wasted time and energy!….😅😅😅

$50 from Canada embassy!

Great video! Do you need a tourist visa or can you open an account while on 30 day visa exempt period?

Great Video 👏 Will this still apply to today considering the new Thai visa laws that took effect in June 2024?

Hi, Why need a annual fee 200baht for a atm card? Also how much min amount need to keep in the account to avoid penalty charge?

Great and informative video. I plan on retiring in Thailand in the next few years, but would I would like to open a Thai bank account on my next vacation trip to Thailand. My questions is...If I'm from the U.S. which does not require me to obtain a tourist visa, can I still apply for a bank account? I want to set up the Thai bank account to facilitate my Thai retirement visa requirements when the time comes.

seriously? tried 10 banks and branches... all want long term visa first... so cannot convert from tourist to retirement... as they all want work permit, long term visa, etc...

How long does the process take once you’ve got all the required documentation?

I have a Thai bank account but would like to upgrade it so I can pay my builder and other bits and pieces. I need an account that can transfer funds in thailand.

What is the crypto friendliest bank in Thailand?🤨

I just went to my embassy and the staff said they only notorise residence leases. They have nothing to show the bank, no letter. The staff offered to stamp "true copy" on a photocopy of my passport for 130 baht (come back Monday morning to collect because it's Friday afternoon). Some days ago, I went to Bangkok bank to ask about account opening and the staff didn't say anything about hotel address even though I said I am staying in a hotel. She just told me to get a "letter" from my embassy verifying my passport number. No mention of "Form A". So today I went to that same bank and the staff said they needed a long-term address, not hotel. I said I read of tourists being able to open accounts with Bangkok bank. She said no.

my 'european country' embassy only provide services for people REGISTERED living here... tourist visa, no way... only emergency passport they can deliver... that's it

Great video thanks, can you access your account on your phone or computer?

Thanks for your video! I’m going to visit Thailand with US passport. If I want to open an account at Bangkok bank, do I need a certificate letter from us embassy in Thailand ?

As a fellow Canadian, how do get around the two factor authentication required to transfer money from Canada to Thailand ? Thank you for your videos.

How about if I rent a place, Im planning on staying for wa while.

Do you know how long a certified letter will be valid for? Is there any expiration date on it?

What is the minimum amount to put when making a bank account

Any minimum deposit required?

Can you clarify please. I want to apply for a retirement visa for the UK. How do I open the Thai bank account to deposit the minimum amount for that visa to be successful? Can you help

Should I have to apply a Thai tour-visa for with US passport

Can I keep dollars in a Thai bank account?

I am trying to get a bank account i cant have one because i dont have a visa i went to get a visa they say i cant have a visa unless i have a bank account whats happening here

💖💖💖💖💖🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏😍😍😍

Is OTP required when logging into your Bangkok account? And when transferring funds from Wise to your Bangkok account?

Good, short and non complicated video. You answered all the questions I had. Thankyou

Excellent video with very important information, very straightforward explanation, very easy to understand, keep up the good work.

Bangkok bank. Two branches asked me to purchase accident insurance. I Declined . Third said I need to provide Embassy letter but after explaining Australian embassy stopped supplying legal document certification for non Australian purpose they said I need yellow house book. Luckily I now bank with Krungsri bank. Very happy with them. I think after time citizens will be charged simply to step into the sun. Sun Tax coming soon or some would say it's here already, right EV owners?

May I have bring the cash and deposit it in the bank 😊

Hello guys - Is it true that customers with large balances receive interest on the funds they hold in the account ?

does this still work today? coming from usa on the new DTV in 10days and need to hit the ground running with a bank account!

I have account in Bangkok bank head office on silom road. I always stayed as tourist.

For transfers, look at Monito, it compares multiple Fx transfer options

So far the most useful video on this topic and suits my case as well. Question. I heard the embassy gives that statement or fills that form A based on a 1-year lease agreement (if the other two options you advised are not feasible). Do you know anything about that?

Thank God Bangkok bank is in New York and I can just apply through the new york branch

which bank is the best for linking to paypal business? i need it for my online business. im an american with education visa. (or should i use wise instead of paypal?)

Thank you, very useful information, i will be moving to Thailand shortly

You forgot to say that you, as a foreigner, can not get a credit card. This means online payments on line are more difficult with a savings account. even in some shops, you can not pay with your bank cart. you have to withdraw cash first. i can not get a credit cart, even if I do not need credit.

Out of date. Many banks don’t want to deal with US citizens because of the US requires cumbersome amount of paper work

I went to.mot in pattaya with tourist visa.they gave me a false address came to bank and I left with acc and card

re using the 'friend 's address' condition to open Bank Account, how many people out there would even trust having their bank send out Statements and sensitive info to this 'Friend's address', unless its Best Friend... would u really trust having yur bank send your bank card to 'yur friend's address' and have it mis used? oooch.,

Well done, thanks.

# Three is hilarious....haha. You forgot to mention if the account was Savings or checking.....details will separate you from all the other youtubers.

My experience with Bangkok Bank was to sign up insurance cost 5900 TBH/Year to get mobile banking facilities & debit card 699 THB/Year. But i refused to sign up insurance though.

Is it possible to open a bank account BEFORE I come to Thailand? I'm a Brasilian, another BRICS country

Sir I live in apartment in Phetchaburi. Can I use non B visa to open a bank account with these documents. I am hired at school

Dump Wise use remitly because they're way faster. Wise takes days remitly takes minutes. When Wise was (transfer wise) they were faster

Yes mate.That,s what i want to know and you,ve nailed it. Very clear 😊

Very informative thanks alot, I'm heading to Thailand in a couple of months to open a bank account

What's the ATM fee? (How much it cost to take your money out)

Thank you,good man!

I don't understand why someone would need to get their passport certified, or get this Form A filled out for $50. A trip to the US Embassy in Bangkok is not that insignificant a journey from Pattaya (all day). Are you absolutely sure this is needed?

Thanks for your video. Which SIM card provider did you buy from & the price? Wise withdrawal ATM fee is too high, it's insane & this is on top of the 220 baht charged by every Thai ATM (except Aeon). Aeon charges 150 baht fee for ATM withdrawal, but Wise ATM fees are so killer that the difference between 220 & 150 baht is nothing.

I appreciate you for excellent information about the transfers banks accounts and the details of each item thank you for the helpful information .

Little known fact, even if you international transfer in baht, Bangkok bank charges a fee from 200 to 500baht to deposit into your account.

I keep reading that I need a visa to open a bank account, but that I need a bank account to get the visa. Make it make sense.

EXCELLENT VIDEO!

Great video bud. Im a US citizen visiting Thailand for the 1st time..Im getting engaged and plan on retirement there. Im hoping all goes well with attempting to open the bank account as described. I will be in NE Thailand staying with her family for 2 months. Just working on my 60 day visa know. I will be in Sakon Nakhon Province area. So are you saying its best to do it in big city??? I think my Girl uses Bangcock Bank as well. Appreciate you and great information.Any other suggestions be much value. So your saying I get Form A from bank. Then need to go too usa embassy and get it cleared,then open account. I have her family adrress, passport,all I need is Form A ,Thia phone number. Im leaving after new years on Jan 8th. Thanks for the video 👍🙏

Really helpful, thank you

Thank you very much Bro

Thank you!

Which branch did u go to?

That awesome idea 😊

Anyone that can help? I'm trying to find out how much the SCB charges for their transfer fee for a wire transfer from overseas. I sent $100 can. and was charged 220thb on the Thai side, but if I send 1000 or 10000 is it same fee or a percent of total sent. The SCB bank in thailand can't tell us for some strange reason - tried couple of branches but tell us to ask our bank in Canada.

Helpful tips on how to open a bank account with a tourist visa. Do you know if the embassy also requires a 'proof of residential address in Thailand' to provide the passport certification letter, or is there some flexibility around this. Is the address required on Form A?

Excellent video , thank you ; I'm an old Canadian never owned a cell phone , so should I buy one here in Canada , or wait until I travel to Thailand ? Thanks again J