The Thailand bank account conundrum for retirement visas

brerono345 · 2025-07-21T22:37:13+02:00

Explore the challenges of opening a Thai bank account for retirement visas, including immigration rules and potential bribery concerns.

brerono345 Active member

Member since 15 June 2025

brerono345Active member21 July 2025 20:37:13

I have to wonder the reason for Thai Immigration demanding your funds in a Thai bank account but then having rules that prevent foreigners from opening a bank account without a visa

what came first, chicken or egg??

in my opinion it is clear cut designed for bribery, what other reason could there be for this impossible rules?

andrewwnbanks Member

Member since 28 June 2024

andrewwnbanksMember05 August 2025 08:44:36

Thank you. That was exactly my issue. However I now know there is a way out鈥he non immigrant visa first, then the bank account, then the retirement visa application.

very laborious and it seems you need local help to get a bank account but at least that works.

andrew

brerono345 Active member

Member since 15 June 2025

brerono345Active member06 August 2025 06:04:56

Thank you. That was exactly my issue. However I now know there is a way out鈥he non immigrant visa first, then the bank account, then the retirement visa application.
very laborious and it seems you need local help to get a bank account but at least that works.

andrew - @andrewwnbanks

It is absurd either way, and they know this already, by design seems...

even if you ask them clearly at the Thai immigration office, they will give you 100 different answers. And naturally their website has no explanation also.