Although a work permit is officially required, it is possible to open an account with just your passport.
You need at least 500 Baht to open a Thai bank account. Once the account is open and verified, you will usually receive a debit card, which allows you to withdraw money at ATMs/cash machines (available all over the country). The initial fee for an ATM card is 300 Baht. If you haven’t made any transactions for a while and the balance of your account is below a certain minimum, you will have to pay a monthly charge of about 50 Baht.
Note that bank statements will not be mailed to you. You will have to consult them at your bank. An overdraft facility is also practically impossible in Thailand.
Online banking in Thailand
Although most banks offer internet banking, this service is still not used that much in Thailand. The scope of services is usually not at the same standard as in developed countries.
Accessing the account requires an ID and a password. Additional safety measures such as TAN numbers are not common.
Money withdrawals
Each bank will have individual rules regarding the amount allowed to be withdrawn each day using an ATM card.
When using ATMs outside of your province, you will have to pay an extra fee for money withdrawals. If you use an ATM at another bank in your province, you will be charged.
If you want to make cash withdrawals over the counter inside the bank, make sure you have your passport with you.