Opening a Thai bank account
Which visas the banks accept in 2026, what to bring, and how Thai mobile banking works once you are in.
Checked 26 September 2026 · 1 official sourceGeneral guidance, not legal advice
The essentials
- Banks tightened up in 2025–2026. Most now want a long-stay visa — visa exemption and tourist visas are usually refused, and some banks no longer accept the DTV.
- Bring proof of your Thai address: the TM30 receipt, a lease in your name, or a residence certificate from immigration.
- You need a Thai phone number. The banking app is tied to it, so never let it lapse.
- Large transfers (from about 50,000 baht) need a face scan in the banking app.
- Rules differ by branch as well as by bank. If one branch says no, another branch of the same bank may say yes.
In this guide
1Who this is for
Anyone staying long enough to pay rent, bills and daily costs in baht. Some visas also require money held in a Thai bank — the retirement visa's 800,000 baht, for example.
2What the banks want
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Passport with a non-immigrant visa or extension | Proves you live here, not just visiting |
| Proof of address (TM30 receipt, lease or residence certificate) | Anti-money-laundering rules |
| Thai mobile number | Used for the app, security codes and PromptPay |
| Work permit or employer letter (if employed) | Some banks ask for it for salary accounts |
| Initial deposit | Usually small — a few hundred to a few thousand baht |
3Using your account
PromptPay lets you pay anyone by phone number or by scanning a QR code — street stalls, taxis and landlords all use it.
Transfers into Thailand from abroad arrive fastest through the big banks. For retirement and property purchases, ask the bank for the certificate that shows the money came from abroad.
Keep your passport details up to date with the bank when you renew it, or the app can be frozen.
4What to do
1. Get your long-stay visa and TM30 receipt first.
2. Get a Thai SIM in your own name.
3. Visit a branch in an expat-heavy area in the morning with all documents and copies.
4. Set up the app in the branch before you leave, while staff can help.
5Common mistakes
Trying to open an account on visa exemption.
Changing phone number and losing access to the banking app.
For the retirement visa: moving money in too late — it must be in the account for the required time before you apply.
6Related guides
Visas, Mobile providers, Tax (money brought into Thailand can be taxable), Cost of living.
Where this comes from
Everything above is written from these. Rules change without notice, so check the relevant one before you book, pay or travel.
Last checked against these on 26 September 2026. Spotted something out of date? and we'll re-check it.