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Can I keep my Bangkok Bank account with a DTV visa after it has been frozen?

Oct 2, 2025
5 days ago
Bangkok bank accounts have been freezing for everyone.

Question is, has anyone managed to keep the account with a dtv visa and how?

My account was opened a year ago and it was frozen a few months ago and I managed to reactivate it. Now it’s been frozen again. Are there any hopes?

Edit: it looks like most people in the comments didn’t notice it’s a dtv group. I know work visas don’t have a problem with having a bank account but I would ask in a work visa group if I had a problem with a work visa bank account
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation focuses on the challenges expats are facing with Bangkok Bank accounts freezing, particularly for those with DTV visas. Users share their experiences, reflecting a common concern about account suspensions and closures linked to visa types. Some have successfully maintained their accounts by updating information or providing additional documentation, such as marriage certificates to Thai nationals. However, many express skepticism about the future of their bank accounts under current regulations, suggesting that accounts opened recently may be at higher risk of freezing.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Robin *********
Luckily opened a K-Bank account back thrn. Lost my bank book once while on DTV. Got a new one without issues. But K-Bank might start to do the same ...
Ali **********
My friend has lost his account even with work visa !.
Biff *******
I’m not on a DTV but neither am I on any kind of visa, long term or otherwise. Had my Bangkok Bank account for a very long time, like over 10 years. Updated my info in Bangkok this May, with some difficulties, but got it done eventually (not at the branch I opened the account at, which was the initial problem) so they completed the profile photo scan, updated the app on my new phone etc.

I had to go and get a replacement passbook, which meant going to the original branch in Chiang Rai. That was fine, but when I also needed a replacement bank card, for some reason the system wouldn’t unlock the card (I’d locked it on the app when I lost it). No problem,they said, we’ll just do a new card application. That’s when there was a problem because of my visa, or lack thereof.

Luckily I had my marriage certificate (both คร.2 and 3) as I had wondered if those might help, given that marriage to a Thai national is one of the reasons Bangkok Bank give for allowing a foreigner to have an account.

So, another 57 signatures on pieces of paper later, I had my new card but if I hadn’t had proof of marriage to a Thai national with me, I think there would’ve been a problem. One that may well have resulted in the closure, or suspension, of my account.

That was a few days ago now and the account, and app, are all working fine.

So yes, even accounts opened over a decade ago, like mine, will be subject to scrutiny if you need anything updating at a branch. If your current credentials don’t match their current policy enforcement, then you might have a problem.
Benjamin *********
I move on work permit
Mercy *********
So far, so good🤞🏽

But I also had just recently updated my info with the bank just before changing to DTV, so I'm thinking that may be why I'm not on their list of checkups. Not really sure. Just really hoping it stays in tact bc I've had it for a few years and it will be very annoying to live here without one.
Nathan ****
@Mercy ********
You are on borrowed time then 😃Probably best not to store a lot of money in there.
Anonymous ******************
I think any account opened in the last few years especially in tourist hot spots will be in trouble. If you opened years ago on a legit visa you might be ok.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 244 like 5
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years ago on an ed visa?
Anonymous ******************
Just out of curiosity, are these account closures related to the type of visa you had when you opened the account or the type of visa you have currently?

For example, someone opened a BKK Bank account 15 years ago while working here legally with a work permit.

Now they have since gotten a job online from another country and switched to a DTV.

Since they opened it initially with a proper visa type, is this account likely to be closed/frozen as well since they are on DTV now?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 686 They only care about CURRENT visa type. It does not matter if you opened it years ago.
Benjamin *********
Participant anonyme 686 yes it is
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 686 Will it not depend if they have updated visa type? At another bank it was over 2 years till my visa type was updated in the system - only updated whyen i changed address and they wanted forms filled out.
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 686 Doubtful, but you have to be careful not to find yourself going to the bank for any reason where they might want to see your passport.
Jon **********
I have both my thai bank accounts functioning, but I emptied the bkk bank account because I'm sure they will eventually freeze it. I opened it in 2022 so I guess they are working their way backwards.
Petri ********
@Jon *********
I did same. Transfered all to Kasikorn.
Anonymous ******************
Sorry but there is no hope . If you want to have a Thai bank account and settle in Thailand , just apply for a real long term visa. DTV is not made to live full time in Thailand. People just start to realize that.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 599 explain how you can’t live in Thailand full

time with DTV. 5 years leave the country every 180 days and return and stay another 180. Do that for 5 years without renewing.

Retirement visa is good for one year single entry or multiple with additional cost and has to be renewed yearly.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 204 The fact that it is necessary to leave the country after 180 days is a clear sign that the visa is not made for living in Thailand.

That you can use the loophole to leave and immediately re-enter does not change the fact that it is not meant to live in Thailand, so don't expect to adapt banks to this trick, for them you are just a tourist, and tourist don't need bank accounts in every country they travel, they just use their home account.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luit ****************
it’s not necessary, you can renew it without leaving the country. Staying a total of 360 days per calendar year. Tell me that isn’t living in the country. Would you say you live in the country you spend 6 days or the one you spend 360?
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer The fact you use a loophole of a tourist visa to kind of live in the country does not make it a visa for living in the country. After 360 days you have to leave anyway. You cannot expect banks and other organizations to adapt to these tricks too. For them it stays just a tourist visa.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luit ****************
im not complaining about banks not accepting it, im saying it would be nice to have a bank account. And it’s not a loophole. You not understanding how the visa works, doesn’t change the visa rules. But for your comment I’m guessing all your banks in your home country cancel all your accounts when you go on vacation for more than 3 days.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer Not a loophole? Come on, you really believe they create a visa with the intention everybody goes travelling to the border and back? You believe this yourself? I know perfectly how the loophole works, and it is not difficult to read how the visa is intended. Give me one reason why banks should cancel accounts when you go on holiday? That really happens nowhere, where did you get this ridiculous idea? Ot would be nice to have a bank account as tourist? It also would be nice to win the lottery.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luit ****************
so you are telling me the people in charge of deciding what visas the country will have are stupid? Do you really believe it wasn’t made on purpose? How is it a loophole when it’s announced you can renew it without leaving the country? It’s not a trick. It’s the rules that were made on purpose. Are you aware that if you stay more than 180 days per year in a country you are considered a tax resident on that country?
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer

Where did I say the people in charge of deciding about a visa are stupid, that are not my words , but yours.

You can renew in the country only once, that possibility is indeed made on purpose.

When it was meant to stay longer they would have made it possible to extend more often.

The very popular borderbounce is the loophole, that is what we are talking about here, not the in-country extension.

And yes I am aware that when I stay in Thailand over 180 days a year, which I certainly would not do, I would become tax resident, but that is totally unrelated to DTV and this topic, and that is certainly not general for each country as you seem to suggest.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant As far as I know, the extension is only possible once within the five-year DTV period.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Participante anónimo 896 dtv grants you 6 months per entry for 5 years. You can extend those 6 months once and you have to leave the country as you can only stay about 360 days per calender year. Wich means on your second entry, you can renew again. So you can actually stay 26 day outside of Thailand in 5 years and it’s perfectly legal
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Participante anónimo 599 I’ve always knew it. I’m a Muay Thai fighter and I came here to learn and become professional. I think I chose the correct visa. I’m not planing on living here forever, but for the time being it would be nice to have an account
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant

Yes.
Anonymous ******************
Mine is still open but I am also married to a thai and we have a shared account as well. But I am on DTV for half a year now.
Andrew *********
Anonymous participant 870 Have you informed the bank you are on a dtv now.
Anonymous ******************
@Andrew ********
yeah they asked me to come in with my passport of course. No issues.
Jef ********
Anonymous participant 870 this ⬆️