Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

opening a joint bank acc in thiland

Country forums / Thailand / Thailand

my wife is thi and l am from the uk can l open a joint acc and will this allow me to get a long stay visa ? l am retired

Not sure about the joint account but anyone can open a bank account but it does not give you any aid in a long term visa.
http://www.thaiembassy.com/retire/retire.php

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Talk on Thaivisa.com

Expat site.

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#1, depends on what bank and what visa you hold if a foreigner can open a bank account.

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From previous posts I was under the impression that rules have changed and not anyone can open account these days however I don't know what the rules are.

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Only my experience but it was a few years back.

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Whatever the rules, you can open a bank account. The thing is don't accept no for an answer.....the answer you get won't just vary from bank to bank, it will vary from branch to branch.
You may have to supply an address that is verified by someone like immigration. Obviously they will want to copy your passport.
If you have non-immigrant visas it becomes easier and if you have a work permit easier still.
Kasikorn and Bangkok bank have reputations for being most helpful.

If you are married to a Thai citizen, you should look into a Non-immigrant marriage O visa. There are restrictions and qualifications, but if you meet these should can stay long tem, extending your visas every year.

Depending on age and finances there are various visa options open to those wishing to stay long term......... recent 10 year visas were introduced this year.

As said above, the best place to get info on this sort of stuff is the Thai visa web site.
Beware though, there are many people who charge exorbitant fees to get visas that just cost a few thousand baht.

PS - if your wife has Thai ID or passport she should have no problem opening the account. Whether it is "joint", I don't know.

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So a tourist coming to Thailand for a three week stay with a visa exemption can still open a bank account?

If so this is the easiest way to avoid the rip off ATM charges levied on foreign cards. Just 15 baht charge or free at the branch it is with.

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many thanks andy

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Certainly opening a bank account in Thailand is not a cut and dried experience.
Opening a joint A/C is yet another thing to factor in ....This might help in supplying a reference and address.

Here are some random clippings re opening a bank A/C

"On the Bangkok Bank website is says..
Even if you are only visiting Thailand for
a relatively short period of time, you can open a savings account and get a debit
card to use for shopping and ATM withdrawals. All you will need to provide
is your passport and one other official identification document – for example,
a reference letter from your embassy,
your home bank or a person acceptable
to the bank.
You will also need to provide evidence of your address in Thailand as well as your regular address in your home country."
Edited February 27, 2016
"I've opened numerous Bangkok Bank savings accounts with just a 30 day stamp and a residency certificate (you need an address of some kind so they can send statements and such).
Remember - SAVINGS account (which comes with an ATM debit card). NOT a chequing account. NO "internet" banking. Just a SAVINGS account (regular and fixed term deposits).
Dear old dad was turned down only because when he tried, he only had a week left on his 30 day stamp. When he came back 6 weeks later, no problem. Once I got my Non-O(A) I was able to get internet banking as well."
This lot want a tourist visa.
https://www.siam-legal.com/other-services/opening-a-bank-account-in-thailand.php
https://chiangmaibuddy.com/how-to-get-a-thai-bank-account/
This detailed article is very helpful....
https://www.thailandstarterkit.com/money/thai-bank-accounts/

This chap on a tourist visa tried several banks before succeeding...which seems the most important thing to remember
http://afarangabroad.com/2014/12/thai-bank-account-setup/

What seems to he apparent is that certain banks and certain branches are much more receptive than others.
It will also safe you a lot on ATM fees...especially if you are a regular visitor.
You can also set up international transfers which usually need to be set up in person at home too.

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Interesting stuff, so it is still possible on an ordinary tourist visa or visa exempt entry.

Yes mine is a savings account and that suits me fine with the debit card and I top the balance up each visit to Thailand

Not sure about having an address though never seen a statement in my life I just update the passbook every now and then

I suppose there must be some who pay $100 to open an account otherwise the service would not exist

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many thanks to all for infomation

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