There are well over 8,000 ATM machines in Thailand. Most of these machines accept foreign credit and debit cards and dispense Thai Baht at a better exchange rate than you will get from a currency exchange facility, bank or hotel.
The ease of opening a bank account in Thailand varies from bank to bank and even from branch to branch. Most branches of the major banks located in Bangkok usually insist on a passport and work permit, while those in Pattaya require a passport only.