To open a business bank account in Thailand, a company must provide its certificate of registration, its list of shareholders, a board resolution authorising the account and naming the signatories, and identity documents for its directors, signatories and main shareholders. In 2026, the process has become more demanding: banks have tightened their checks on foreign-related companies, and the Department of Business Development (DBD) now requires proof of where Thai shareholders’ capital comes from when certain companies are registered.
Last updated: October 2026
This step usually comes after your company has been set up. If you are still at the incorporation stage, see our guide on setting up a company in Thailand as a foreigner, or our services if you want support from start to finish.
The documents Thai banks ask for
For a private limited company, the most common structure for foreign investors, Thai banks generally ask for:
- the company’s certificate of registration, recently issued (Kasikornbank, for example, requires one issued within the last three months)
- the list of shareholders (Bor.Or.Jor.5)
- a board resolution authorising the opening of the account and naming the authorised signatories
- copies of the ID card or passport of the authorised directors, the signatories, the managing director and the shareholders above a certain threshold
- a power of attorney, if a signatory is not a director with authority to bind the company
The shareholding threshold above which a shareholder must provide identity documents depends on the bank and the account. At Kasikornbank, it is 15% of the shares. For its account reserved for companies registered overseas, Bangkok Bank asks for the documents of shareholders holding more than 25%. Each bank applies its own rules, and the branch may ask for more, so check with the bank before your appointment.
Minimum opening deposits also vary. Kasikornbank does not require one for its business savings and current accounts, and Bangkok Bank asks for 500 baht for its account for companies registered overseas.
What has changed in 2026
DBD rules against nominee structures
The DBD has tightened its checks on companies where Thai shareholders might be acting as nominees for foreigners. The rules changed several times in 2026:
- Order No. 2/2568, in force from 1 January 2026, required Thai shareholders of some companies to provide three months of bank statements when the company was registered.
- Order No. 1/2569, in force from 1 April 2026, added a signed investment confirmation letter when a foreign authorised director is added to a company.
- Order No. 2/2569, signed on 14 July 2026 and in force since 1 August 2026, repealed both previous orders and now sets the rules.
Who is affected by Order No. 2/2569
When a company is registered, the new order applies in two situations:
- a company where foreign shareholders hold less than 50% of the capital, such as the classic 49% foreign / 51% Thai structure
- a company that is 100% Thai-owned but appoints a foreign national as an authorised director
It also applies when a company whose directors are all Thai adds a foreign authorised director.
What must be provided
At registration, the company must provide:
- an investment explanation letter, in the DBD’s format, describing how the share capital was paid and received
- bank statements for each Thai shareholder covering the three months before the capital was paid, showing a withdrawal or transfer that matches the amount and date of their subscription
- the bank statement of the account that received the capital, usually a director’s account, showing payments from all shareholders
A simple bank balance certificate is no longer enough. When a foreign authorised director is added later, the company must provide an investment confirmation letter. If this happens within one year of incorporation, for a company registered since 1 August 2026, it must also prove that the capital was actually received.
In practice, Thai shareholders should keep the funds they will invest in their personal account for at least three months before the planned payment of the capital.
Stricter checks by the banks
At the same time, Thai banks have stepped up their due diligence under the anti-money laundering rules, with closer supervision from the Bank of Thailand and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO). Banks must check the identity of the company’s ultimate beneficial owners (UBO), its shareholding structure and the source of its funds before opening an account.
Some banks now apply a “seasoning” period of one month to one year after incorporation before opening an account for a newly registered company, depending on the bank and the risk profile. At Kasikornbank, a company registered less than one month ago must also provide six months of bank statements for the people who sign the application. These policies are often unpublished and can vary from one branch to another.
In-person verification and visa status
Opening a business account requires the identity of the authorised directors to be verified by the bank. In practice, at least one authorised director or signatory must go to a branch.
Banks increasingly require foreigners named as signatories on a company account to hold a Non-Immigrant B visa, as they already do for personal accounts. Some banks may accept a company account before the work permit is issued, but this varies a lot between banks and branches. Check the conditions with the bank before your appointment.
Watch out: since 2025, several banks have stopped opening accounts for foreigners without a long-term visa, because of the growing use of accounts for fraudulent transfers. Bangkok Bank, for example, announced in May 2025 that it no longer opens accounts for holders of tourist visas or the DTV. A long-term visa with genuine residence in Thailand, such as a Non-Immigrant B visa, is now the basic condition. The DTV, although valid for five years, does not guarantee access to a bank account.
Companies registered overseas
A foreign company that is not registered in Thailand can, in some cases, open a baht account. Bangkok Bank offers a savings account for companies registered overseas, at its head office on Silom Road only, with a minimum deposit of 500 baht. Every page of the company documents must be certified by a notary public and attested by the Thai embassy or consulate in the country of registration, and the documents must be no more than six months old.
This route remains slow and discretionary. Most investors end up setting up a Thai subsidiary, which is required anyway for most activities in Thailand.
Choosing your Thai bank
Banks publish their basic requirements, but their policies on foreign-related companies change often and are applied differently by branch. Before choosing, look at your actual needs:
- an account in baht only, or also in foreign currencies (FCD account)
- the volume of international transfers
- PromptPay and QR code payments
- a branch used to foreign clients, if your business is based outside Bangkok
- the bank’s current position on newly registered companies and foreign signatories
An advisor who works with the banks every day can tell you which branches are currently open to your type of company, which saves a lot of time.
Key points
- Basic documents: certificate of registration, list of shareholders, board resolution, identity documents of directors, signatories and main shareholders.
- DBD Order No. 2/2569, in force since 1 August 2026, requires three months of bank statements from Thai shareholders in companies with less than 50% foreign shareholding or with a foreign authorised director, plus an investment explanation letter.
- Bank checks: banks check the ultimate beneficial owners and the source of funds, and some apply a waiting period after incorporation.
- In person: at least one authorised director or signatory must go to a branch.
- Visa: a Non-Immigrant B visa is increasingly required for foreign signatories, and tourist visas and the DTV are generally refused.
- Varying rules: shareholder thresholds and minimum deposits differ from bank to bank.
Frequently asked questions
Can you open a business bank account in Thailand remotely?
In practice, no. The bank must verify the identity of the authorised directors, and at least one director or signatory has to go to a branch.
What is the minimum deposit for a business account in Thailand?
It depends on the bank and the account. Kasikornbank does not require a minimum deposit for its business savings and current accounts. Bangkok Bank asks for 500 baht for its account for companies registered overseas.
Does a foreign shareholder have to provide personal documents?
Yes, if their shareholding exceeds the bank’s threshold: 15% at Kasikornbank, for example, or more than 25% for Bangkok Bank’s account for overseas companies. In addition, the bank checks the ultimate beneficial owners of every company.
What is DBD Order No. 2/2569?
It is an order of the Department of Business Development, in force since 1 August 2026, which replaced Orders No. 2/2568 and 1/2569. It requires Thai shareholders of companies with less than 50% foreign shareholding, or with a foreign authorised director, to provide three months of bank statements proving that they genuinely paid their share of the capital. The aim is to prevent nominee arrangements.
Can you open a business account with a DTV visa?
It is not guaranteed and often refused. Banks treat the DTV like a tourist visa, despite its five-year validity, and several banks no longer open accounts for foreigners without a long-term visa.
How long does it take to open a business bank account?
Once the bank accepts the file, opening the account itself is usually quick. But the overall timeline depends on the bank: some banks apply a waiting period of one month to one year after incorporation, and foreign-related companies can face additional checks. Plan for it when setting up your company.
Can a company open an account if its director does not yet have a work permit?
Sometimes, but it is becoming harder. Banks increasingly require foreign signatories to hold a Non-Immigrant B visa, and some ask for the work permit. Requirements vary a lot from one bank to another, so check before your appointment. See our article on hiring foreigners in a BOI company for work permits under BOI promotion.
Conclusion
Opening a business bank account in Thailand is still possible for foreign investors, but the 2026 context is much more demanding than it was two years ago. The DBD’s rules against nominee structures and the banks’ stricter checks mean that the bank account has to be planned from the moment the company is set up. Anticipating these requirements avoids costly delays.
Our team supports foreign investors at every stage of setting up their business in Thailand, from the choice of legal structure to the opening of the bank account. Contact us to discuss your project.
