Opening a Thai bank account

You need a Thai bank account to pay rent, to avoid 220 THB fees on every foreign-card withdrawal, and, for retirement and marriage extensions, to hold the money immigration checks. Banks are cautious with foreigners, so bring more paperwork than you think.

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What banks usually ask for

Passport with a non-immigrant visa or extension. Accounts on a visa-exempt stay are increasingly refused.
Proof of address: a residence certificate, lease or utility bill.
A Thai phone number in your name.
Sometimes a work permit, a letter from your embassy, or a reference from a Thai account holder.

Which banks

Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn (KBank), SCB and Krungsri are the most used by foreigners in Pattaya. Policies differ from branch to branch, so if one branch says no, another may say yes. Branches in shopping malls open at weekends.

Once it's open

Set up the mobile banking app; Thai QR payments (PromptPay) are accepted almost everywhere.
Keep the bank book updated: immigration reads it for retirement and marriage extensions.
For property purchases, ask how the bank issues the foreign-exchange record before you send money.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Driving licence

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Opening a Thai bank account

What banks usually ask for

Which banks

Once it's open

Driving licence

Retirement visa

Buying a condo

Moving checklist

You don’t need every answer.Just a clear next step.

You don’t need every answer.
Just a clear next step.