Can I open a Thai bank account with a DTV visa, or how can I use digital payments without one?

Nov 18, 2024
a month ago
Morning. Would be great some informations because I’m not really sure.

I’m currently in Thailand and I have the DTV. I read that it was possible, to open a Thai bank account with this visa type. So I went to Bangkok bank here in krabi and they said that is not longer possible with the DTV.

The only reason to have a Thai bank account for now is only because then I could pay with promptpay and don’t need so much cash. It’s only a comfortable thing.

My setup: I’m German. I have a German bank account and a Revolut account. With Revolut I can do transfers to Thailand using swift. Costs a little fee, but this is ok.

And now the question: Is there any way to use digital payment in Thailand without Thai bank account? Or is there a way to get one?

How do others do? Thanks for all answers:)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about the possibility of opening a Thai bank account with a DTV visa, expressing that they were denied at Bangkok Bank. Many respondents emphasized that banks in Thailand tend to refuse accounts for tourist visas like the DTV due to strict regulations regarding residency and stable income. Suggested alternatives include using digital payment apps such as True Money or seeking assistance from agents who charge fees to facilitate the account-opening process. It was advised that obtaining a residency certificate, which requires staying at a permanent address for at least three months, could help in opening a bank account. Some shared experiences of successfully obtaining accounts under different circumstances, while others suggested exploring banks like Kasikorn or utilizing the Pay&Tour option for payments.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Henrik *****
DTV is a touristvisa not eligible for a bankaccount.

Need to be at a longterm visa.

Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

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 even 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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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?
Glenn **********
I have no patience to go running around trying banks. I phoned tik tok services today, they picked me up, took me to the bank, sorted out all the forms. I left the bank an hour later with bank card, bank app etc. Cost 5000 baht.
Alan ******
I did hear if you take out the banks own insurance it can make a difference to being able to open an account 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Soe *******
You can use digital payment with this wallet.

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Tony ********
Try Kasikorn bank. If they won’t open your a normal account then try the Pay&Tour option they have that can apparently support QR payments

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Robin ************
May not work everywhere. May not work now. But 2 years ago you could open a bank account in samui in the bangkok bank with only a thai driving license. No visa and residence certificates were needed as you hold a thai driving license.

So probably worth trying. Get a driving license is cheap, fast and easy.
Paul *******
@Robin ***********
Surprised they didn't need residency certificates. Most Thai entities, even the department of land transport, which issues driver's licenses, requires a certificate of residency to renew a driver's license. They don't recognize the addresses printed on the back of licenses they issued.
Robin ************
@Paul ******
to renew your license you need a new certificate yes. But as long as your driving license is valid most things you would need a residence certificate can be done with the driving license as far as i know
Paul *******
@Robin ***********
Not true. Even for renewals, a new certificate of residency is required. A new certificate of residency is sometimes required at certain offices even when it's not needed at others, for specific tasks or requests.

Now there's the additional burden of having to get a doctor's certificate even for 5 year to 5 year license renewals, which was not the case prior to Covid.

Pop-up clinics have been established next to DLT offices for this purpose. I don't see the point...as long as you pass an eyesight test and don't have any illnesses that could affect your driving, then a medical shouldn't be necessary for those aged under around 70.
Henrik *****
Colorblindness doesn’t affect your skills for driving, but it does in Thailand.
Da ****
let me know if you find a branch… i tried all in Ao Nang and all refused.
โจ ******
Just something to share on withdrawing cash, I am unsure if other countries have mobile payment function. BTW, I am from Singapore and we have Paynow which allow to make transfer into Promptpay account via mobile number (except scanning QR code, unless it's registered to a business and not personal). if I need cash, I just send money to someone I know via promptlpay and get he/she to withdraw cash.
Paul *******
@โจ *****
Sounds a bit unnecessarily complicated. Just withdraw cash from an ATM. It's still very easy to find ATMs in Thailand.
โจ ******
@Paul ******
well saving 220 baht a withdrawal can mean nothing to you, for me just sharing my what I know. Cheers
โจ ******
Just get your residence certificate with you and start walking into every bank you come across.......else make a trip to Pattaya and engage any agent.
Da ****
@โจ *****
at least none in ao nang will do it. i tried already :D
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@โจ *****
I’m waiting for this. Landlord is not the fastest 😅
Biff *******
Anonymous participant your landlord doesn’t provide a residence certificate. Immigration do.

Your landlord should have already filed a TM30 with immigration. Go there and ask for the certificate.
Henrik *****
Anonym deltager But you will have needed to stay more than 3 month, for it to have any weight in the banks evaluation of a propect bankcustomer.
Paul *******
No longer possible is incorrect. The DTV is a brand new visa. Either it hasn't been possible to open a bank account with this visa so far, or they don't know what it is and don't want to open an account for you. Try another bank/branch or seek out an agent.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
they told me it was possible but than the bank changed policies so it’s no longer possible. Because DTV counts as tourist visa and tourists are not allowed to open bank accounts.
Henrik *****
You must have misunderstood the info, that you where able to open a bankaccount on DTV, it has never been possibel.

And going to a bank before settleling down for at least 3 months, with a permanent adress, is waste of time.
Paul *******
Definitely need a certificate of residency in any case. Without one, forget about trying to open a bank account.
Anna *********
Anonymous participant lots of tourists visa holders have Thai bank accounts just keep trying different banks until one says ok or use an agent as suggested
Da ****
@Anna ********
but regulations have changed this year. its very hard now to find a branch that allows it. things have gotten really stricts and you cannot use anecdotal stories from the past
Anna *********
@Da ***
what about anecdotal stories from DTV holders

There are some in this forum
Da ****
@Anna ********
anecdotal stories from years past and sharing recent experiences are two totaly different things
Paul *******
They were probably mistaken. I don't think a policy change would occur on such a new visa. Unfortunately, you'll have to try another way
Christopher ***********
You need a Thai bank account to pay via QR code. Agree, it is convenient and saves the 220 baht ATM withdrawal fee. Bangkok Bank are normally the most agreeable bank for opening savings accounts for foreigners. Did they suggest you buy Personal Accident Insurance? An annual policy is worth having especially if you ride a moto, are aged under 65 and have no alternative insurance. The premium is likely to be similar to the price an agent would charge and you would be getting something in return for your money.
Sefton ********
@Christopher **********
Theres apps like kasikorns tagthai app and pay and tour card so no Thai bank account needed.
Christopher ***********
@Sefton *******
Thanks for this.
Amber *********
True money app may be a go
Amber *********
Also try siam bank
Wannikea *********
This question is asked 100 times a month and the answer is the same. It's a matter of persistence each branch has its own policy and you're in an area where there's limited amounts of banks, you'll need a certificate of residence from immigration you'll need to dress nice, would be best to have a Thai person introduce you or just try and bribe the bank manager with 5,000 baht other than that go to Pattaya and pay that $5,000 to an agent.
Da ****
@Wannikea ********
i did all of this in krabi but yet no luck in opening an account. the closest i came was bangkok bank branch that requested using a „friend“ and pay him like 30k baht but require me to switch from dtv to longterm visa or account will be closed… hilarious
James ********
@Wannikea ********
Correct ✅
Kool *******
You pay an agent to open an account for you. The fees start at bt5000+.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
of course not! 😅
James ********
Anonymous participant reality is that if you want to Open a bank account, go to Pattaya and see a Thai Visa Agent.
Jared *********
Anonymous participant why not? Paying for someone to help get things done. Not illegal or anything
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jared ********
yes… 5000 baht for opening a bank account which normally 0baht, sound really really serious ;)
Jared *********
Anonymous participant 0 baht to open account is quite rare because the banks basically "require" to purchase an insurance policy. Without the Thai account you end up paying transfer fees or ATM fees and then you will end up paying more than the agent anyway. Plus the time of going to dozens on bank locations is worth something unless you have nothing else to do.

When I opened mine a few months ago, the bank insurance was included in the agent fees. So the difference between trying to do it myself over many days or getting it done in less than 2 hours was only 3500 baht. I preferred spending those several days I saved to do other things
Brian *********
Anonymous participant good luck without an agent 😉
Elías ********
Participante anónimo it's either that or no bank account (which I also chose, as I don't consider worth paying). Note is not 5,000 bahth, but starting FROM 5,000. Nowadays many charge as much as 15 or even 20,000 baht.
Kool *******
Anonymous participant then do without, as you've been told trying it on your own.