One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is that when people arrive in Thailand—Hua Hin in particular—they often jump online to share stories about the lifestyle here.
Unfortunately, many of these stories focus on the negatives, especially when it comes to trying to settle down. A recurring complaint is the difficulty of opening a bank account while on a tourist visa.
“Why can’t I open a bank account on a tourist visa?” is something I hear a lot. But ask yourself, is that something you’d expect to do easily in other countries you visit? If you’re here on a short holiday, it’s perfectly reasonable to use your home bank cards. If you’re planning a longer stay, it makes much more sense to come in on the right visa—which does allow you to open a bank account with no trouble at all. It’s a straightforward process, yet some people still believe they’re entitled to more than what a tourist visa allows.
This sense of entitlement has unfortunately led to issues, not just with banking, but also with visa rules in general. Thailand has been trialling extended tourist stays—60 days on arrival with the option to buy a 30-day extension, giving a total of 90 days. But as often happens, some have abused the system. As a result, there’s talk of reverting to the standard 30-day visa-on-arrival.
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Let’s be honest: Thailand is doing its best to make things easier for those who want to stay longer. New visa types are being introduced all the time, but again, a small number of people take advantage and spoil things for everyone else.
We’re guests here. That’s the simple truth. And with the right mindset, being a guest in Thailand can mean enjoying a fantastic way of life. I’m now in my 21st consecutive year living here, and I’ve seen just how great life in Hua Hin can be—when you do things the right way.
Andy Dyett, the Hua Hin Property Expert
If you’re thinking about coming for more than a couple of months, plan ahead. It’s not difficult to arrange a visa that matches your stay. Many people arrive on holiday, fall in love with Hua Hin (and who could blame them?), and then want to make it part of their life. I often speak to property buyers who were surprised at how easy it is to settle here once you start looking at things from a lifestyle perspective. They go home, apply for the appropriate visa, come back, and the process of setting up life here—bank accounts included—goes smoothly.
If your plans are short-term and you’re just renting for a few months, make sure you’ve got access to your money through your own bank accounts. There’s no need to insist on opening a Thai bank account if you’re only here for a while.
One thing that really gets to me is seeing people take out their frustration on local bank staff. These are hard-working Thai professionals doing their jobs, and they don’t deserve to be shouted at by visitors who simply haven’t planned properly. A bit of preparation goes a long way—and so does a bit of respect.
As always, if you’ve got questions, feel free to drop in and have a chat. We’re happy to help make your experience of living here a positive one.
Promotion Time
We’ve got a new offer running now at Hua Hin Property 2009. We’re working with the Amari Hua Hin Hotel to give visitors the chance to stay at a discounted rate. It’s a lovely hotel with great facilities, located just south of town.
Here’s how it works: head to the Amari Hua Hin website, book a room, and enter the promo code AHHxHHP for an exclusive discount. Then, come by and see us at Hua Hin Property 2009 for a relaxed chat about property and life in Hua Hin.
If you do end up buying a property through us, we’ll reimburse the cost of your hotel stay (up to five days) as a thank-you for choosing us. We’ll also throw in either a spa treatment or a round of golf to make the stay even better.
Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea of living here or you’re already making plans, we’d be happy to help you take the next step.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Dyett
The Hua Hin Property Expert
📧 andy@huahinpropertyagent.com
📱 Hua Hin Property Co.,Ltd
📞 0867779064
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