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Can I open a bank account in Thailand on a DTV visa?

Mar 24, 2025
10 days ago
Alex *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I went to a random local bank to ask the question of opening up an account on a DTV status? The teller told me I either have to be employed by a Thai company or be on a retirement visa. Is it safe to say that this is not possible whilst being on a DTV?

Please let me know your personal experiences and suggestions if there is a possibility of being successful. CNX location.

Khop khun Krub in advance 🙏🏼
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Thailand as a foreigner on a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) can be challenging. While some individuals have reported success at certain banks or branches, the general consensus is that banks typically require either employment by a Thai company or a retirement visa. Experiences vary widely, with some users suggesting persistence at different branches may eventually lead to a successful account opening. Alternatives like prepaid accounts and other banking options, like KBank’s tourist card, are also mentioned as potential solutions.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Henrik *****
Only real long term visa have a slight chance to open a Thai Bankaccount, if they have a permanent adress on a long lease, a easy controllable moneyflow in and out of the account

Like most other countrys, tourist are not able to open a bankaccount, and DTV is a touristvisa, given to nomads that by definition are moving around frequently.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

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Kiki **********
If it’s of any help I was informed today that KBank now offers a prepaid QR Scan Account for tourists.

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Colin *******
Basically, Alex, as you may have gathered there are many keyboard warriors that say it can be done, as they read about it somewhere x months / years ago. Bottom line, the agents are saying they can't help. When the agents can't get you a bank account then you have close to zero chance. Best of luck .
Dany ********
They dont want us to open bank accounts. so they dont want us to pay tax 🤣🤣
Elías ********
@Dany *******
which is lovely, isn't it? 😏🥰
Greg ********
DM'ed you
Anna *********
Some will most won’t. It is possible but you’ll need to try a large number of branches. Some people have said high traffic areas seem to more likely to let you
Ben ********
It's possible at some banks I've heard
Greg ********
@Ben *******
Why do the people you hear it from not tell you the exact branch. That would be helpful
Ben ********
@Greg *******
but perhaps he can search the many other posts about this topic
Ben ********
@Greg *******
because I don't know
Anonymous ******************
Keep asking various branches and different banks and eventually you’ll find one that says yes. Might take you asking 5 more or even 20 more, eventually one will accept you. Don’t listen to the people that tell you it’s impossible, because it’s definitely not!
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 934 I've tried roughly 40 different banks/branches and have been denied. The closest I got was one TTB branch saying it can be done at the main branch but when I went there they said no. I'd give it a 1% chance any given bank says yes
David ********
With things like Qrospay, and I think one of the banks (starts with K) have a tourist card that does qr codes, not sure it’s worth the effort?
Danza *******
Try BKk bank on Châng Puak road
Anonymous ******************
Generally speaking, no, you can't. However, there are some exceptions; some people have managed to do it with or without the help of an agent. However, locations are constantly changing, and what was possible one day may no longer be possible.
Anonymous ******************
Varies from bank to bank branch to branch, even with different staff. But totally possible if the stars align.