Most Expats living here use a Thai bank savings account from which withdrawals can be made at ATMs. Many bill payment as well as transfers to other Thai bank accounts can be by done with online or mobile banking.

Checking accounts are generally used by businesses and not individuals.

Several Thai banks offer Foreign currency accounts.

Opening an Account

Each Thai bank has its own policies regarding who can open an account and what documents in addition to your passport are needed. 

When you open your account, you will receive a passbook. You will usually need the passbook and your passport (for identification) when making withdrawals at bank teller windows.

Most banks offer an ATM/debit card with the savings account with an annual fee of around 200 to 300 Baht.

Passbook updates can be done at automated machines that are available at most branches. Note: If you do not frequently update your passbook, you may find that the update entry will include a net of amount for deposits and withdrawals for a period of transactions.

If difficulty is encountered

Online & Mobile Banking

Most offer online and mobile banking which can be used to pay bills or transfer funds to other Thai bank accounts.

Fees may apply to some bill payment and to transfers depending on the timing stipulated for the transfer.

Fixed Deposit Accounts

Thai banks offer fixed deposit accounts that pay higher interest than a regular savings account.

These type of accounts require the deposit be held for a specified period of time. In some types, withdrawals can be made at any time with the penalty being a loss of the higher interest rate.

Several Thai banks offer foreign currency accounts.

For these type of accounts, there generally are no restrictions on funds deposited, withdrawn, or transferred to another country from a foreign currency account.

Although keeping funds on deposit in a Thai bank in other than baht may appeal to some, the fees charged for deposits and withdrawals generally make them unattractive for normal banking needs.

US Citizens/Residents Required to Report Foreign Bank Accounts

US citizens and residents need to be aware that US law requires them to annually report their foreign bank accounts to the US Treasury under certain circumstances.

FBAR Report

If at any time during the calendar year they have a combined total of USD 10,000 in one or more foreign bank accounts, the Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) is required.

The FBAR is filed online with the Financial Crimes Information Network (FINCEN), a part of the US Treasury Department (not the Internal Revenue Service). There can be severe civil and criminal penalties for failure to file the report or for willfully filing inaccurate reports.

For more information, click here.

Thai Banks Required to Report US Citizen/Resident’s Bank Accounts to US Government

Thailand has entered into an agreement with the US Government to implement the requirements of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) – click here for Bangkok Post Article.

Non-USA banks are required to report accounts held by US Citizens/Residents to the US Internal Revenue Service.

Consequently, when opening a Thai Bank account, US Citizens will be asked to provide their taxpayer identification information so that the bank can comply with FATCA reporting requirements.

Note: Under FATCA, if you meet certain thresholds for foreign financial assets (includes assets other than just bank account(s), e.g., investments,  US taxpayers are required to file a report with their USA income tax return. This report is separate from the FBAR report mentioned above. Click here for an IRS website page that summarizes the two different reports and thresholds for reporting.