How to open a bank account in Thailand as a foreigner: Restrictions, requirements and more

Thailand is a deservedly popular place for foreigners arriving for vacations, as well as to work, study or live long term. If you’re a foreign resident of Thailand, or a frequent visitor there, you might be wondering: can a foreigner open a bank account in Thailand?

This guide walks through how to open a bank account in Thailand as a foreign resident and also looks at some important Thailand bank account tourist restrictions which may prevent you from applying if you only have a short term visa. We'll also introduce Wise, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

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Can foreigners open a bank account in Thailand?

Foreigners with long term residency in Thailand, or who are permanent residents in Thailand can often open a bank account with providers such as Bangkok Bank¹, Kasikorn Bank² and Krungsri Bank³. Different accounts are aimed at different customer needs, and not all products are suitable for foreign applicants. This does mean you need to look carefully at the product’s terms and conditions before applying, to make sure it's the right one for you.

It’s generally far harder to open a Thailand bank account for tourist visa holders. Thai banks tend to restrict applications to long term visa holders, and may not offer them to customers with a tourist visa, visa on arrival or who use a visa-free entry scheme to get into the country. That said, banks do set their own policies about who they can offer an account to - so if you have a tourist visa only you may still want to talk to a few banks directly to check if they can help you with an account. If you can’t get the account type you need you may prefer an account from a specialist like Wise, to spend in THB, and transfer money to Thailand bank accounts easily and with low fees. More on that later.

One other common question - can a non-resident open a bank account in Thailand? This may be possible with some banks, but account options can be limited. For example, you may choose the Kasikorn non-resident FCD account⁴ or a
Krungsri Foreign Currency Deposit accounts⁵ for non-residents, but these banks do not usually offer THB accounts to non-resident customers.

Types of Thailand bank accounts for foreigners

Generally, where Thai banks extend their services to foreign customers the core products available include savings and transaction accounts in THB, or foreign currency accounts to save or invest in major foreign currencies.

Some banks such as Bangkok Bank actually have a broad range of account types which can be offered to foreign customers subject to their meeting eligibility requirements. However, the exact products available depend on your personal situation and also your visa type and duration.

Thailand account requirements for foreigners

The Thailand account requirements for foreigners depend largely on the specific bank or provider you open an account with. Banks usually ask foreign applicants to attend a branch in person to open an account, which allows service staff to check paperwork and talk through the account types available based on your personal circumstances.

You will usually find that banks only offer accounts for foreigners who are long term residents in Thailand. This may mean you need a non-immigrant visa - or for some account types, permanent residency. To give an example, Kasikorn Bank savings account requirements when applying as a foreign resident include:

• Valid passport
• Valid non-immigrant visa allowing you to reside in Thailand
• Details of your reason for being in Thailand, such as a work permit

It’s important to double check the rules which apply to the account type you select, and bear in mind that eligibility criteria may change from time to time due to regulatory requirements and bank policies. This may mean you need to complete additional steps such as giving biometric data or providing extra documents to keep your account open.

How to open a Thailand bank account as a foreigner

Let’s look at how to open a Thailand bank account as a foreigner with some major banks which may appeal. We’ve picked out banks which market products specifically to foreign residents, and which provide some account information in English, for ease of understanding. Here’s a summary to start your research into the right Thai bank account for your needs.

Bangkok Bank account for foreigners

Bangkok Bank offers a broad range of accounts which foreign applicants can consider. However, aside from being able to provide your proof of ID and a valid visa, you may also need to meet additional eligibility criteria depending on the specific account selected.

Account products for eligible personal customers include:

• Bangkok Bank Savings Account⁶ and Statement Savings Account⁷
• Bangkok Bank Fixed Deposit Account⁸
• Bangkok Bank Kids Account⁹
• Bangkok Bank FCD Accounts¹⁰ and FCD Savings Accounts¹¹

Bangkok Bank does not specify the documents needed to apply for their accounts as a foreigner online. Instead you’re asked to visit a branch in person to talk through the account service you require and check the paperwork needed before you apply.

Kasikorn Bank account for foreigners

Kasikorn Bank offers a specific savings account for resident foreigners in Thailand¹² who hold a long term visa. You can apply for this account in a branch and if successful you may then be able to also apply for additional account services such as a linked debit card, once you have online or mobile banking set up.

Kasikorn also has some foreign currency account products but if you’re looking for a resident foreign currency account you’ll need to hold permanent residency in Thailand if you’re not a Thai citizen.

Krungsri Bank account for foreigners

The most commonly used Krungsri Bank account for foreigners is the Thai Savings Account¹³ which has a linked debit card and also pays interest on your THB balance. There’s a minimum balance to open the account and you must also maintain an ongoing balance of 20,000 THB or more to avoid fall below fees.

Krungsri Bank also has foreign currency accounts for non-residents, but their standard foreign currency deposit account for residents is only available to Thai citizens.

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Looking for a quick and easy way to send money to Thailand? Consider using Wise to manage your international transfers.

Converting money to Thai baht and transferring it from abroad can get very expensive when using traditional banks and remittance services. On top of transaction fees, you might end up paying more due to hidden charges like conversion fees and exchange rate markups.

Wise transfers use the mid-market rate, also known as the rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees that are shown to you upfront. This makes it easy to see how much you’ll be sending or receiving at a single glance.

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See how Wise compares with other providers:

Frequently asked questions

Can a non-resident open a bank account in Thailand?

Thai banks usually only offer their THB transaction accounts to long term residents of the country. If you’re a non-resident you may still be able to open an account but in many cases the only options from banks are foreign currency deposit accounts rather than THB transaction accounts.

Is there a Thailand bank account for tourists?

Thai banks usually need to see evidence that you hold a long term visa before you can open an account - which means their services aren’t available to tourists in the country.

How can I transfer money to a Thailand bank account as a foreigner?

You can transfer money to a Thai bank account through your own home bank, or using a specialist service like Wise. You’ll need the recipient's full name, and bank details including account number and bank SWIFT code. Other details may also be needed depending on the country and currency you’re sending from. Check the fees your bank charges - including costs wrapped up in the exchange rate you’re offered - against services like Wise to decide which is best for you.

1. Bangkok Bank
2. Kasikorn Bank
3. Krungsri Bank
4. Kasikorn non-resident FCD account
5. Krungsri Foreign Currency Deposit
6. Bangkok Bank Savings Account
7. Bangkok Bank Statement Savings Account
8. Bangkok Bank Fixed Deposit Account
9. Bangkok Bank Sinmathaya Subthawee - Bualuang Kids Account
10. Bangkok Bank FCD Account for Thai Residents
11. Bangkok Bank Special Savings FCD Account
12. Kasikorn Bank account for foreigners
13. Krungsri Thai Savings Account