How to open a Thai bank account as a foreigner

The TLDR on this is that if you do not hold a long term visa, opening a bank account is very difficult, and not worth the time trying. Also, unfortunately even though the DTV seems like a long term visa, it’s classed as a tourist visa and as of now, you will not be able to open a new account on the DTV visa.

Why a Thai bank account?

A local bank account in makes life in Thailand a lot more convenient. Similar to how in China everything is running through Alipay and WeChat, Thailand is running on PromptPay QR payments. However unlike China, cash is still pretty common here and for the most part you’ll have no problem (unless you try to pay everything with 1000 baht notes, try to break these in to smaller notes when possible, for example at 7 Eleven.

ATM fees

The other big draw is ridding yourself of ATM fees. ATMs still cost 200+ THB per withdrawal, so you end up taking out the maximum amount and then you’re carrying almost 1000 USD everywhere just to try and save on ATM fees. The best way to save on ATM fees is using Wise (see below).

There are supposedly a few things in the pipeline to help tourists pay by QR codes, but for one-off trips and holidays it’s just not worth trying to open an account.

Transferring through Wise

Receiving money from abroad through Wise into a Thai bank account costs less than at airport exchanges or international bank transfers due mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Bills and payments

If you’re working in Thailand, paying rent, utilities, tax returns, etc, it’s all built in to Thai banking apps – otherwise it’s just a pain going to do it all in person.

The visa situation (this has changed)

The big issue is your visa.

Since mid 2025, banks have been on a crackdown driven by a government push to shut down money mule accounts used in online fraud. Over 3 million accounts were suspended in the first half of 2025. The damage: banks now reject almost all short-term visa holders, and Bangkok Bank even started closing existing accounts held by foreigners without long-term visas.

Visas that work:

Non-immigrant B visa (work)
Non-immigrant O visa (retirement, marriage, family)
Non-immigrant ED visa (education) – varies by bank; Krungsri only accepts university or international school enrollment
Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa
Thailand Privilege visa (formerly Elite) – members get a concierge letter that makes the process smooth

Visas that don’t work:

Tourist visa (30/60 days)
Visa exemption stamps
Visa on arrival
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) – banks now classify this as a tourist-category visa and reject it

If you’re on a tourist visa and planning to stay long-term, sort out your visa situation first. The bank account comes after.

Which bank to choose

Not all Thai banks treat foreigners equally. Some are welcoming; others will send you away.

Bangkok Bank

Bangkok Bank has historically been the most foreigner-friendly bank, but they tightened significantly in January 2026. They now require a long-term visa and stopped accepting DTV holders entirely. In May 2025, they began closing accounts of foreigners without long-term visas. That said, they still have English-speaking staff at major branches and are more flexible on documentation than others.

The other upside: Bangkok Bank has a branch in New York, which makes international wire transfers and receiving US Social Security payments simpler if that applies to you.

Kasikorn Bank (KBank)

Kasikorn’s K PLUS app is the best of them all, in our opinion. They’re stricter than Bangkok Bank on visa requirements. Not worth trying without correct visa and all paperwork. Known to be difficult on supported visas if there’s no work permit.

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB)

SCB is Thailand’s oldest bank (founded 1907) and has excellent ATM coverage. But they’re the strictest about foreigner requirements – almost always requiring a work permit.

Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya)

As of early 2024, Krungsri stopped opening accounts for tourist visa, visa-exempt, DTV, and most ED visa holders (they’ll only accept ED visas from universities or international schools). They also require a 20,000 baht ongoing minimum balance to avoid fees, which is significantly higher than other banks.

Our recommendation

Start with Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn. If one branch rejects you, try another – there’s significant variation between branches. Large branches in expat-heavy areas (Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Nimman in Chiang Mai, Walking Street area in Pattaya) are used to dealing with foreigners and know what’s possible.

Documents you’ll need

Bring photocopies of everything.

Absolutely required

Passport – original plus photocopies of the photo page, visa page, and most recent entry stamp
Valid visa – non-immigrant or long-term (see visa section above)
Thai phone number – for SMS verification and mobile banking. Important: the SIM must be registered in your name (matching your bank account name). Buy a SIM at any 7-Eleven and make sure to register it with your passport.
Initial deposit – 500-2,000 THB in cash

Proof of address (bring at least one)

This is where people get stuck. You need to prove you actually live in Thailand.

Best option: Certificate of Residence from Thai Immigration

This is a must if you do not have a work permit. Every bank accepts it without question. To get one:

Your landlord must have filed your TM30 (arrival notification) – this is mandatory and often forgotten
Go to your local immigration office with your passport, TM30 receipt, photos, and the application form
Pay about 200 baht
Wait same-day to several business days (or weeks) depending on the office

Additional options:

Rental contract or lease agreement
Utility bill in your name (electricity, water, internet)
Bank statement from a home country bank showing Thai address
Letter from your embassy certifying residence (alternative to the certificate of residence above)

If you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb, this gets difficult. The Certificate of Residence is really your only option, and you’ll need the hotel/landlord to file the TM30 first.

Supporting documents (if you have them)

These aren’t always required but help your application:

Work permit – makes approval nearly guaranteed at any bank
Employer letter – confirming your employment and salary
Reference letter from home bank – proving you’re a legitimate account holder somewhere
School enrollment letter – if on an ED visa

The step-by-step process

1. Get a Thai phone number first

Before you even walk into a bank, get a Thai SIM card. Banks require a local number for two-factor authentication, SMS alerts, and mobile banking activation.

Walk into any 7-Eleven, ask for a SIM card, show your passport, and they’ll set it up. We use TrueMove. A 30-day data package costs about 300 baht. Takes five minutes.

2. Choose your bank and branch

Pick Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn. Find a large branch – shopping mall branches or main branches in major cities are best. These have English-speaking staff and are experienced with foreigner applications.

Call ahead if you can. Ask specifically: “I’m a foreigner with a [your visa type] visa. Can I open a savings account at this branch? What documents do I need?”. Even better if a Thai friend can call them for you.

3. Show up early

Banks open between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Get there when they open. Lines grow fast, especially on Mondays and after lunch. Most banks stop accepting new account applications about an hour before closing time. Opening times and days can be different (closing later for example) in shopping malls.

4. Bring everything

Documents to have with you:

Passport (original)
All passport photocopies
Proof of address
Supporting documents
Thai phone number (written down)
Initial deposit in cash
A pen

Dress reasonably – you don’t need a suit, but don’t show up in beach clothes. First impressions matter in Thai bureaucracy.

5. Fill out the forms

The staff will give you an application form. It’s mostly straightforward: name, address, occupation, phone number. They’ll ask about your source of income and purpose of the account – “living expenses” or “salary” are normal answers.

Some banks require you to buy accident insurance (200-400 baht annually). This isn’t a scam – it’s standard practice and covers accidental injury while in Thailand.

6. Get your debit card and bank book

Most banks issue a debit card immediately. You’ll set a PIN at the counter. The card works at ATMs, for PromptPay, and anywhere that accepts Thai debit cards.

Some branches may take 1-2 weeks to issue the physical card and give you a temporary slip instead.

You’ll also walk out with a “bank book” – a little physical passbook with your account number, branch info, and SWIFT code printed inside. Yes, in 2026. Thai banks still hand them out and you’ll want to keep yours somewhere safe.

You’ll need the bank book for some in-branch transactions, when you eventually close the account, and as the easiest place to find your SWIFT code when receiving money from abroad. You can take it to any branch to “update” it – they print recent transactions inside, a bit like a long receipt. Most people only bother updating this when they need a paper record for visa applications, tax filings, or embassy paperwork.

7. Set up mobile banking before you leave

Don’t skip this. Ask the staff to help you download the bank’s app and activate it before you walk out. Sometimes it has to be done using an ATM and it’s a bit of a headache.

ATM tips

Own bank ATMs: Free withdrawals, no fees
Other bank ATMs: About 15-25 baht per withdrawal
Out-of-province ATMs: Some banks charge 15 baht extra even at their own ATMs (Bangkok Bank is an exception)
Withdrawal limits: 20,000-30,000 baht per transaction, depending on the ATM