How to Open a Bank Account in Thailand?

📅 Published in 2016 — Updated in June 2026
⚠️ Since January 2025, Thai banks no longer accept account openings on tourist visas or DTV. This article has been revised.

🏦 Open a bank account in Thailand in 2026

Opening a bank account in Thailand is the basis of any installation. Whether it’s to prepare for retirement, receive a local salary, avoid French bank fees or simply have access to Thai payment applications — it’s a must.

📅 Evolution: 2016 → 2019 → 2025

In 2016, when I wrote this article, it was simple. A passport, a smile, and 500 baht were enough in some agencies. I opened mine with a snap of my finger – watch my video at the bottom of the page, you’ll understand how lucky I was.

In 2019, first tightening: banks began to ask for a lease, a minimum 3-month visa and a water or electricity bill. The change was political — Thailand was singled out as a refuge for banditry. But at the time, when you had several agencies, you always found someone more flexible.

In January 2025, it became strict everywhere. Bangkok Bank, KBank, SCB, Krungsri and UOB all updated their KYC policies at the same time. No more privileges:

• ✅ Non-Immigrant B (Work) — Accepted everywhere with Work Permit
• ✅ Non-Immigrant O (Retirement/Family) — Accepted with financial proof
• ✅ LTR Visa (10 years) — Premium, accepted everywhere
• ✅ Thailand Elite / Privilege — Concierge + reference letter
• ⚠️ DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) — Classified as a tourist visa (~20% success rate)
• ❌ Tourist Visa / Exemption — Refused in all major banks

Source: Statrys, IssaCompass, Visa Manager — May 2026.

🏚️ HSBC — Closed in Thailand

HSBC has closed all its retail banking branches between 2022 and 2023. Former customers have been transferred. This link no longer exists.

🏆 Which bank to choose in 2026?

• 🟡 Bangkok Bank — Most accustomed to foreigners. Agencies Silom, Sukhumvit, Central Festival Chiang Mai. App: Bangkok Bank Mobile. Min deposit: ฿500
• 🟢 Kasikorn (KBank) — Best mobile app (K PLUS), English interface, 11 currencies. Min deposit: 0 ฿
• 🟣 SCB (Siam Commercial Bank) — International transfers, SCB Easy app. Min deposit: ฿1,000
• 🔵 Krungthai — State Bank, branches everywhere including rural areas. Krungthai NEXT app. Min deposit: ฿500

📋 Required documents (2026)

Opening is only in agency (no online opening for foreigners):

1. 🛂 Original passport with valid long-stay visa
2. 📄 Certificate of residence — Immigration Bureau (Chaeng Wattana) OR French Embassy (35 Charoen Krung Soi 36, Bangrak). Cost: ~€50. Delivery time: 2-5 days.
3. 📱 Active Thai phone number — required for OTP
4. 🏠 Proof of local address — lease, PEA invoice, internet invoice
5. 💼 Work Permit (if applicable)

📍 Recommended agencies: Bangkok (Silom, Sukhumvit Soi 1-33), Chiang Mai (Central Festival, Nimman), Phuket (Central Phuket, Kata).

💡 Not the right visa? Fintech alternatives

• Wise (wise.com) — Multi-currency account, Mastercard, real rate transfers. Free + 0.4-0.7% conversion.
• Revolut — Multi-currency card, ATM withdrawals, QR payments. 0 to €13.99/month.
• Moreta Pay — Thai QR Payments (PromptPay) without a local account.

💸 Transfer money to Thailand in 2026

Forget classic SWIFT transfers (slow and expensive):

• 🥇 Wise — 1-2 days, 4-7€ fees, mid-market rate (the real rate)
• 🥈 Revolut — Instant (card), €0 depending on plan, interbank rate
• 🥉 DeeMoney — Same day, ฿299-399, Thai service
• ❌ SWIFT banking — 3-5 days, €20-50 fees, market rate -1 to -3%

💱 Exchange rate (June 2026): 1 EUR ≈ 38-39 THB.

🔗 Useful links (up to date)

• Bangkok Bank — bangkokbank.com
• Kasikorn Bank — kasikornbank.com
• SCB — scb.co.th
• Bank of Thailand — bot.or.th
• Wise — wise.com

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⬇️ Before it was like that…

Watch my video — you will understand how lucky I was to open my account so easily.

Original article published in 2016. The information below is no longer current but retained for historical purposes.