Many people ask me what is needed and how to go about opening a bank account in Thailand as a foreigner.
Recently I was told you cannot open a Thai bank account without a work permit. So let’s go into a Thai bank and ask them just what we need. Come along with me.
Some banks might refuse to let you open an account when you don’t have a work permit. If this happens, just go from one bank to another, there will be one willing to open an account for you. It can even happen that in the same city, one branch office of the same bank refuses you, and another branch office has no problem giving you the account and an ATM card.
For foreigners Katsikorn Bank and Bangkok Bank seem to be the best (they are networked very well with foreign banks), and are the largest banks in Thailand. Both Katsikorn and Bangkok Bank have lots of branch offices and ATM’s.
Bring your passport, and work permit if you have one (most times not needed). If there is a minimum deposit, it will be very low. For an ATM card you will be charged a few hundred Baht.