Opening a bank account

Documents#

Branches set their own rules, so ask what the branch needs before you go. International students are usually asked for these documents.

• passport, original and a photocopy
• the visa page showing Non-Immigrant ED status
• an enrolment letter (certificate of student status) from the Registrar's Office
• proof of address in Thailand, such as a TM30 receipt, a lease or a letter from your dorm

Banks generally do not open accounts for people who entered on a tourist or visa-exempt stay. Ask your landlord to file a TM30 for you. See Visa rules while you study.

Bangkok Bank and TU Greats#

Thammasat has a partnership with Bangkok Bank through the TU Greats app. The student card is also a Bangkok Bank card, and tuition refunds are paid to the linked account once it is activated. Collect the card at the Bangkok Bank Tha Prachan branch and activate the linked account there. See Tuition, fees and refunds.

PromptPay#

PromptPay is the Thai instant payment system. Link it to your mobile phone number in your bank's app, then send money or pay by scanning a QR code. You need a Thai number registered in your name for this. See SIM cards and Wi-Fi.

Money from abroad#

Ask your home bank what it charges for an international transfer. Ask your Thai bank for its SWIFT code and account details. Foreign cards usually carry a flat fee for each ATM withdrawal, so check with your home bank.

Scams#

Install your bank's app only from the official app store. A bank or the university will never ask for the code sent to your phone. If a card is lost or an account is blocked, call the bank number printed on the card or visit a branch.