Hey there, globe-trotting money-savers! Today, we’re diving into the world of Thai banking – because nothing says “I’m living the digital nomad dream” quite like having a local bank account, right?
Most foreigners in Thailand stick to cash for small purchases and services. ATMs are as common as pad thai stands here, but there’s a catch. If your card is linked to a non-baht account, you’re looking at a double conversion whammy – first to dollars, then to baht. The result? You’re kissing goodbye to about 10% of your hard-earned cash on every withdrawal. Ouch!
But fear not, fellow frugal freelancers! We’ve got a solution. We decided to open an account with Kasikorn Bank. Here’s the lowdown:
Location: Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya, 218, Moo.10; Pattaya Beach Road, Banglamung, Chon Buri, Thailand.
What you need:
- Passport
- Local address (our hotel’s business card did the trick)
- Thai mobile number (easily snagged at a local shop)
- 3000 baht initial deposit
The whole process took less than 30 minutes. We paid 500 baht to open the account, dropped in our 3000 baht, and voila! The staff were friendlier than a tuk-tuk driver who’s just won the lottery.
We christened our new Thai card with lunch at the Royal Garden Plaza. Smooth as silk!
Oh, and while you’re there, check out the hilarious fountain. It’s a real… splash! (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
Для открытия счета и дебетовой карты Виза у нас попросили паспорт, постоянный адрес в Таиланде ( подошла визитная карточка отеля, с которой мы проживали) , номер тайского сотового ( сим карту сотового купили в магазине) и 3000 бат, которые необходимо было положить на счет при открытии счета.
Вся процедура открытия заняла не более получаса. Мы оплатили открытие счета в размере 500 бат и положили 3000 бат на счет . Работники банка были очень приветливы и дружелюбны.
Едва получив тайскую карту мы расплатились ею за услуги и обед в центре Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya . Очень удобно!
В этом центре есть интересный фонтан … Было очень забавно!
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll spill the tea on why we left Pattaya for Ko Chang island. Spoiler: it involves beaches, hammocks, and potentially a coconut or two.
Traveler’s Tip: ATM fees for foreign cards: 150 baht flat rate, whether you’re withdrawing 500 or 10,000 baht. Pro tip: For easy transactions with street vendors and taxis, stock up on 100, 50, and 20 baht notes. ATMs usually spit out 1000 baht notes, which can be a pain to break.
Have you opened a bank account abroad? Was it as easy as ours, or more like trying to explain Bitcoin to your grandma? Share your financial adventures in the comments!
Remember, savvy digital nomads, sometimes the key to financial freedom is a little local banking know-how. So go forth, open that Thai account, and watch your baht go further than ever before!
