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Can I still open a bank account in Thailand on a DTV visa, or do I need an Elite visa?

Bank Account Issues DTV Visa Thai Immigration Visa Types Financial Regulations in Thailand International Banking Laws

Sep 27, 2025

5 days ago

Robert **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I havent been to thailand since mid july, my  account was frozen in june. I visited a branch and gave  them all the  paperwork and a sweet lady agreed to open it again. As there has  been so many  problems with these  accounts after I left, do they  usually close them 2 times in  a row? I am on the DTV visa, I am not married, no kids and no rental contract. but i desperately  need a bank  account  so I can transfer money here for tax  purposes. If they wont allow me I guess the  elite visa is my  only option for opening up an account? Thats  gonna be one expensive bank account!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is experiencing difficulties with their bank account in Thailand after it was frozen and is seeking advice about opening a new account. They are on a DTV visa and do not have a rental contract or family ties in Thailand. Several comments highlight the complications DTV visa holders face in being eligible for bank accounts due to international banking regulations and the potential need for a longer-term visa, such as an elite visa, to successfully open an account.

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Per-Arne ***********

Any of the LTR visa maybe

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Martin *****

Go to kasikornbank

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Mark ********

Open another bank account

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John **********

You don't pay tax in Thailand until March next year assuming any is owed. Unless of course you own a business in Thailand.

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Robert **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

this is my first year paying taxes to thailand, how do you pay it, do they send you an invoice or can you do everything online?

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Colin **********

@Robert *********

I did mine online, but your first need to get a tax ID from the revenue department

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John **********

@Robert *********

go to your local revenue department office

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John **********

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Carol ****************

Why do you need to transfer money here for “tax purposes” considering you don’t live or work here? This may be one of the reasons as to why Thailand is blocking all accounts that are laundering money. To answer your question, yes, you need to get a long-term visa (non-imm or elite) if owning a bank account in a country that you only visit twice a year is very important to you.

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Dave ***********

My account got frozen 3 times

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Robert **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dave **********

did you show them the same documents 3 times and they reopened it every time?

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Dave ***********

@Robert *********

yes but the last time it took a month to open up and it took me telling them to close it then they opened it up

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Dave ***********

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Ian **********

Why do you need to transfer money here for tax purposes?

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Robert **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

cheaper to pay taxes here than my home country, that simple

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Bob **********

@Robert *********

so your pay will be coming here ?tough without an account

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Bob **********

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Roberto *********

That's an interesting point.

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Roberto *********

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William ***********

A DTV doesn’t qualify you for bank account eligibility. It’s the DTV holders that have gotten them in trouble with the international banking system. Excessive money laundering from scam call centers and certain countries with international financial restrictions flowing in. The Thai banking system is under pressure from international regulators. KYC, know your customer, is international banking law.

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Graham ******

If you already have an account and it is frozen (what does the app tell you?) it's just a case of providing what is needed to unfreeze it.

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Steve ********

Foreigners on tourism visas are having their accounts closed and funds returned in cash. Banks will no longer allow tourists to have bank accounts, as these were found to be used predominantly in money-laundering

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Graham ******

not closed if you can produce the required documents but frozen up to that point

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Steve ********

Required documents include passport showing non-immigrant visa. Already many reports of funds being returned to customers who are in tourist visas

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Steve ********

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Robert **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

as I understand it there are different rules depending on who you talk to. I visited one lady day one, she would not accept any of my documents as I am on the DTV visa and dont have a rental contract. I came back the next day and another lady opened it without even looking or asking for a rental contract. As I am considered to be on a tourist visa I dont think I qualify for a bank account, thats why I am asking. I can still log in to my app and see the amount, but I could also do that when my account was frozen

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Alan *****

@Robert *********

could you transfer money into that account whilst it was blocked. I have a BB account & can view my account, but it could be blocked. I have put money into my account though

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Alan *****

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Robert **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am under 50 so retirement visa not an option

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Robert **********

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