Answered9 months ago

Can I open a bank account in Thailand with a DTV (Workation) visa?

DTV visa Thai bank account Non-Immigrant O visa visa types expat banking Thailand immigration

Johnny ***********

asked Jan 26, 2026

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Hi all,

Does anyone have recent experience with Thai banks accepting a DTV (Workation) visa for opening or maintaining a bank account?

I understand that Bangkok Bank currently requires Non-Immigrant O, LTR or Thailand Elite, and does not accept DTV.

I’m specifically interested in whether any other banks or branches (e.g. Kasikorn, SCB, Krungsri, etc.) have accepted DTV, given that it is a 5-year, multiple-entry visa.

Thanks in advance for sharing real-world experience 🙏

Answer summary

The consensus from recent discussions suggests that opening or maintaining a bank account with a DTV (Digital Nomad) visa in Thailand is nearly impossible, as the DTV is treated similarly to a tourist visa by banks. Most major banks, including Bangkok Bank and others like Kasikorn and SCB, either do not accept this visa type or face stringent policies preventing account openings for tourists. Those who have attempted to open accounts under a DTV have encountered considerable difficulties, with the possibility of accounts being closed later on. It is advisable for expatriates to pursue alternative visas, such as the Non-Immigrant O visa, which allow easier access to banking services.

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Johnny ***********

Thanks a lot for the quick replies – much appreciated 🙏

Based on the feedback here, it does seem that DTV is treated similarly to a tourist visa by most banks, so opening or maintaining a bank account would be very difficult and not something I want to rely on luck for.

I currently hold a Non-Immigrant O (single entry, 90 days) and will therefore proceed with that and try to convert it to a more flexible retirement-based stay through Immigration when I return to Koh Samui next week.

Thanks again for sharing real-world experience – very helpful.

9 months ago

Brandon ************

@Johnny **********

It's not that it's treated as a tourist visa, it's that the law that created it specifically calls it a tourist visa.

9 months ago

Mick *****

@Brandon ***********

The DTV was not created by law. Under the existing law the Ministry of Foreign affairs has the right to create and categorise and withdraw visas. There was no "law" to create the DTV or any specific visa. It is not required as the ministry already holds the power. Instead it was created by a ministerial regulation. The DTV is basically a policy under the existing law it is not enshrined in or mentioned in any law. It is not considered a long term immigration type visa but a temporary visitor visa even though longer term and for that reason treated "like a tourist visa". In the ministerial regulation that creates the DTV Order No.

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I have not been able to find the word "tourist" using several possible Thai variations although there are quite a few words in the documents I can not translate and do not have a searchable version. It does seem however the classification as a tourist visa has more to do with the nature of the visa and is an interpretation rather than any specific wording in the ministerial regulation.

9 months ago

Brandon ************

@Mick ****

Here is the Royal Gazette publication

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.pdf

And here is the translation showing it is a tourist visa, special classification.

The exact term is ตราประเภทนักท่องเที่ยว ประเภทพิเศษ

This translates to "type tourist, type special"

9 months ago

Brandon ************

@Mick ****

It was published in the Royal Gazette, thereby legalizing it. In the Royal Gazette, which makes it law, it is called a tourist visa.

9 months ago

Graham ******

Johnny Erlandsen so you already have the right visa to open a bank account

9 months ago

Kevin ********

Can't get account on dtv it's still just a tourist visa

9 months ago

Ian **********

Tourists are not allowed to open bank accounts

9 months ago

Kurt *************

basicly impossible. Only way is that your lucky with the person you meet in bank. Or you know someone, who know someone that can do with some cash paid under the table or similar.

9 months ago