creating a bank account with language school ed visa in thailand impossible?

Question

hello everyone , i(21/F) came here a year ago as a tourist and opening a bank account was such a hassle so i gave up and just decided to get ed visa as a thai language student for 14 months. The thing is each bank i went to ( 20 so far) say that i need university or work permit. there was even one bank who created an account for my friend and when i went to the same branch they told me no . So if anyone has made a bank account recently can tell me where they done it i would appreciate it . Thank you

marianneriegel · Answer

You're hitting the classic Bangkok bank wall. The issue is that most branches follow a strict "work permit or university letter" policy, but some smaller branches or newer banks are more flexible. Try Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) in a less central area like Bang Na or Ladprao, not the Siam or Asoke branches. I've heard from a few language school students that they got accounts at CIMB Thai or TMB (now ttb) with just their ED visa and a certificate from their school, but you have to insist on speaking to the branch manager. Also, having a friend who already has an account at that branch can sometimes help if they refer you, so ask around your classmates.

arabella · Answer

yeah it's a pain but it's not impossible. try a branch that's inside a university if you can get in, like the kasikorn or bangkok bank at chulalongkorn or thammasat. they're used to students and don't freak out about ed visas as much. also if you have a thai friend who can come with you and vouch, that helps a ton even if the bank says they don't need it.

another trick is to go to a branch that's inside a big mall like central world or siam paragon but not the main banking floor - the little kiosks or desks on other floors sometimes have different rules. i know someone who got one at scb in central rama 2 just by being persistent and showing her school cert + a local sim card bill in her name. also bangkok bank on sukhumvit 71 near on nut bts is known to be chill with ed visa students if you catch the right teller, just avoid monday mornings when it's chaos.

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