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Can I use cash for rent and bills in Thailand on a DTV visa without a bank account?
DTV visaThailand immigrationbank account rulescash paymentrent paymentutility billsexpat advicetourist visafinancial options in Thailand
Oct 15, 2025
7 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all, I got some question about DTV, DTV is considered as a tourist visa, so it is not allow to open a bank account in Thailand, which means I only can carry cash though flight, i dont feel this is a good idea to carry couple hundred thousand cash in the bag, feel unsafe
Second, since i dont have bank account in thailand, can i pay the rent, utility bills by cash? Thanks all.
Supplementary Information:
Q: why need so much cash
A: if i dont got bank account or any e-payment method, the cash is the only way to pay all the goods and bills, consider DTV is a 6 month visa, monthly expense for me approximate 30-35k THB, so if i carry around 200k THB, it let me feel nervous if i lost it, i am the type of people prefer the money keep on bank
Second, since i dont have bank account in thailand, can i pay the rent, utility bills by cash? Thanks all.
Supplementary Information:
Q: why need so much cash
A: if i dont got bank account or any e-payment method, the cash is the only way to pay all the goods and bills, consider DTV is a 6 month visa, monthly expense for me approximate 30-35k THB, so if i carry around 200k THB, it let me feel nervous if i lost it, i am the type of people prefer the money keep on bank
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster expresses concerns about the limitations of having a DTV (Digital Nomad Tourist Visa) in Thailand, particularly regarding the inability to open a bank account, which leads to reliance on cash for all transactions. Comments from the community provide alternatives to carrying large sums of cash, such as using international debit cards, ATM withdrawals, and digital wallets like Wise and Revolut for payments. The conversation highlights the misconception that a tourist visa prohibits bank account access and emphasizes the availability of modern financial services that can aid in managing expenses without the need for cash.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Chris ***********
Sorry, but there are ATM's in Thailand. You do realize that, right?
Marko ******
Use debit card
Marc ********
Maybe TAGThai is a good option
Chris *********
I just use my ATM card.... 0 international fees. Your over thinking in.
X *************
Have you ever heard of a ATM card? Try it
Jason **********
Just wear 96.5% gold and whenever you need money sell a ring.
Maryanne **********
When the DTV visa was introduced it was never made clear thar you couldn't open a bank account with this sort of visa.
It was something that happened a good year after the visa became available
It was something that happened a good year after the visa became available
Maryanne **********
Wise has a better rate I think than my Revolut
Dany ********
@Maryanne *********
Revolut is better and cheaper because it doesnt have the high conversion fees that Wise has. Just check it out in the apps when you try to send 10k or 30k baht or how much you want. Revolut is the way to goMathew ********
@Maryanne *********
xe has a good rate and it’s super fast to transferReply to
Mathew ********
Reply
Elías ********
It being a tourist visa and not being allowed to open a bank account are two different and unrelated things.
Said so, why would you carry cash?
Said so, why would you carry cash?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Elías *******
cuz in my country, everything is pay through bank transfer, so now I am studying any method allow me survive in Thai without bank accountElías ********
Participante anónimo it's the same here. You can pay everything with transfer/QR if you use the TrueMoney app, which is open for foreigners.
Also, if you're from another Asian country (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, etc.) you can even use your country native apps to pay here.
Also, if you're from another Asian country (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, etc.) you can even use your country native apps to pay here.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Elías *******
Thanks for infoReply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Jackie *******
Revolut seems to be working for me. Juts moved some funds into Thai Baht and am using card as normal. I don’t think I’m getting charged
Dany ********
@Jackie ******
free sub with revolut has 200€$£ monthly limit for free withdrawals. after that its 1%.Reply to
Dany ********
Reply
Paul *******
It's 2025. There's no need to carry large sums of cash. Use an ATM card to withdraw cash, or use a credit card
John *********
Right?!
Why the need for a duffel bag full of cash?
And why must it go everywhere with you?
Even if you wanted to and did bring up to 10,000 $€£ and exchange it monthly as you need it there wouldn’t be any issues.
Tap to pay is available at all the national shopping chains and international food chains as well.
Why the need for a duffel bag full of cash?
And why must it go everywhere with you?
Even if you wanted to and did bring up to 10,000 $€£ and exchange it monthly as you need it there wouldn’t be any issues.
Tap to pay is available at all the national shopping chains and international food chains as well.
Reply to
John *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
You can use an ATM debit card rather than carrying large sums of cash. Don't you have a bank account in your home country?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER匿名參與者 164 yes I got bank account, but I am not sure can I draw money in Thailand ATM
Sylvia ********
Anonymous participant you tell your bank what country you are visiting for security and sure you can use ATM everywhere
Reply to
Sylvia ********
Reply
Mike *****
Cash, Wise, Revolut, ATM, Remitly, TrueMoney wallet for online shopping, enough options to survive without a Thai bank. I pay rent with Revolut at the moment.
Anonymous ******************
@Mike ****
many countries like India don't allow it's residents to send money transfers outside for personal expenses by any such platforms like wise revolut etc, further most of the cards here charge 2-4% fees for spending or withdrawal in ATM. Only channel is allowed by bank remittance here, So without bank account in other country where going with visa it's quite difficult or have to carry cash which is very risky and also difficult these times.One way is to preload forex card and use it.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ****
thanks for info, will study later, I was having a Thai gf so I just transfer money by using wise, but break up alreadyAndi ***********
Anonymous participant With Wise you can pay rent and bills
Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
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