🇹🇭 Thailand

Thailand has no online onboarding pathway for foreigners; opening a baht account is a single in-person branch visit. Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, SCB, and Krungthai form the practical shortlist for residents. Bring your passport, long-term visa, Thai address proof, and Thai mobile number.

Foreigners may own a Thai condominium unit outright under the 49% foreign quota in Section 19 of the Condominium Act. A registered 30-year lease under Civil and Commercial Code Sections 538 and 540 is the alternative pathway over a house, land, or quota-full condominium. Direct foreign ownership of land is prohibited under Section 86 of the Land Code. The Foreign Exchange Transaction form (แบบ ธ.ต.3) is the single most consequential document in the condominium pathway — without it, the Department of Lands will refuse to register the transfer.

The Thai Tax Identification Number (TIN, *เลขประจำตัวผู้เสียภาษีอากร* Lek Pracham Tua Phu Sia Phasi Akon) is a 10-digit identifier issued by the Revenue Department. It is issued under Section 3 Undecim of the Revenue Code. Foreigners earning Thai-source income or becoming tax residents (180 or more days in a calendar year) apply in person at the Area Revenue Office for their domicile using Form L.P. 10.1. The TIN is the prerequisite for filing the annual personal income tax return.

Thailand operates four parallel long-stay visa routes for foreigners. The วีซ่า Non-Immigrant B (*Wiza Non-Immigrant B* — Non-Immigrant B Visa) covers employment; the DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) covers remote workers and soft-power trainees; the LTR (Long-Term Resident Visa) is administered by the Board of Investment; and the Smart Visa serves specialist talents. Each route has its own issuing channel, fee, validity, and downstream benefit.

The Thai driving licence (ใบขับขี่ — *Bai Khap Khi* — Driving Licence) is issued by the Department of Land Transport. Long-term-visa holders follow one of two routes: first-time applicants begin with a two-year temporary licence and a closed-course practical test, while holders of a valid full foreign licence with six months remaining validity convert directly to a five-year personal licence under the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 and have the practical driving test waived. The Department of Land Transport (กรมการขนส่งทางบก — *Krom Kan Khon Song Thang Bok* — DLT) operates the issuing branches.