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Banks in Thailand are modern, reliable and easily accessible, and English-speaking personnel can be found in most main branches. Opening a bank account in Thailand is usually fairly easy. ATMs are widely available and expats that stay in the country for a longer time can apply for local credit.
Most expats will be relieved to learn that Thailand has signed double-taxation avoidance agreements with several governments. It should also be relatively simple for expats who retire in Thailand to access their pensions.
Money in Thailand
The official currency in Thailand is the Baht (THB), which is issued by the Bank of Thailand. One baht is subdivided into 100 satang.
• Notes: 20 THB, 50 THB, 100 THB, 500 THB and 1,000 THB
• Coins: 1 THB, 2 THB, 5 THB, 10 THB and 1 satang, 5 satang, 10 satang, 25 satang and 50 satang
Banking in Thailand
Setting up a bank account in Thailand is fairly easy for expats. Technically, foreigners are required to present a work permit at the point of opening, but in practice, some branches will open an account for a foreigner without this document.
If living in Thailand without a work permit, some banks may reject a request to open an account. That said, a different branch of the same bank may approve the request, so it is worthwhile to keep trying different branches.
Sometimes documentation which needs to be signed will be written in Thai, but a translated copy in English can be requested.
Credit cards and ATMs
Expats can get a credit card from a Thai bank, but this is sometimes a difficult task. Requirements vary between banks, but most, if not all, require a work permit, ideally one which has been held for a significant length of time. There is also a required minimum income and bank statements for a specified period must be provided. The longer an expat has been a client of a Thai bank, the better their chances are of successfully applying for a credit card.
All major banks have easy-to-find ATMs throughout the country. Some banks charge a flat monthly fee for ATM usage and others charge per transaction, sometimes with the bonus of a certain number of free transactions within a particular period.
Taxes in Thailand
Expat tax laws differ slightly for residents and non-residents in Thailand. Expats who ordinarily live in Thailand less than 180 days a year are classified as non-residents for tax purposes. They can therefore only be taxed on income derived from within Thailand, and income from outside of Thailand is not taxed. If classified as a resident, however, expats are taxed both on income derived in Thailand and on income brought into Thailand from foreign sources.
Thailand has signed tax treaties with a number of countries worldwide, preventing double-taxation for many expats. Tax returns are submitted annually. Tax forms are usually in Thai so it is advisable to hire a Thai tax planner or a financial adviser to assist with this.