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Can you open a bank account in Bangkok with a DTV visa?
DTV VisaBank AccountThailand Banking RegulationsExpat Life in ThailandFinancial ServicesVisa Challenges
Aug 20, 2025
8 months ago
Hunter **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, has anyone succeeded to open a bank account in Bangkok with DTV visa?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Bangkok with a DTV visa has become increasingly difficult. Many expats report that banks are denying applications for DTV holders and some existing accounts are being frozen. Comments from community members highlight a trend where banks, particularly Bangkok Bank and Krungsri, are tightening their policies regarding account openings for individuals on a DTV visa. Users suggest exploring alternative banking solutions, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding banking access for DTV visa holders.
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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De *****
It's not in anyone's interest to get one if they have DTV. My understanding is that staying over 180 days and "remitting" money to a Thai bank accounts puts you on the hook for tax liability. I read a post somewhere from someone who consulted Thai attorneys and apparently the current guidance is that if you earn money abroad and keep it in foreign accounts, spend locally with the combination of foreign cards and cash pulled from ATM, you do not have taxable income here.
Andrew ********
I think everyone who asks this question by this stage should be deported.
Mark *********
I wouldn't even advise trying to get a bank account on a DTV at the moment. Even if you're successful, there's every possibility within weeks it would be frozen. I'd advise a sit back, wait and see approach
Erik **********
Both DTV and ED visa have become a big problem opening banks with.
Tarem *****
@Erik *********
DTV yes no bank accepted but ED okay with kasikorn and truemoneyTarem *****
@Erik *********
or agent it’s easier tons of themErik **********
@Tarem ****
Because now a Days all my contacts says the same. Very hard to get bank account with ED, ALMOST impossibleTarem *****
@Erik *********
in Phuket central festival Kasikorn allows ED visa to open account and that’s where i did it this yearErik **********
Tarem *****
@Erik *********
I think kasikorn you can try different branches with ED. It’s most farang friendly bank.Reply to
Tarem *****
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Erik **********
@Tarem ****
kasikorn, what branch? Since I’ve been to 20 different offices and been told noReply to
Erik **********
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Anna *********
Not recently
Benjamin *********
Why always the same question, who already got answered
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0 timesAnna *********
@Benjamin ********
because people are so self absorbed and or lazy 😀Reply to
Anna *********
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A. ************
At this point, even if you're successful locating a bank/branch that will open an account, until something definitive about banks allowing DTV holders to open accounts is communicated you're better off figuring out how to operate without one. You could be happily using your shiny new account for a few months, then "bam" they decide to do another audit of accounts, and it gets frozen/closed.
Jef ********
Unless your married to a Thai or have a condo 99.99% chance of being denied 🙅♂️
Mark ********
@Jef *******
Or a genuine 12-month non-O retirement visa (not funded by an agent)Jef ********
@Mark *******
yeah but you wouldn’t have a non o on a DTV 👌Mark ********
@Jef *******
That's true, but why would a person married to a Thai be on a DTV, which is a tourist visa, when they can get a proper non-O visa?Greg ********
@Mark *******
Quite a few reasons why someone married might choose DTV over O. The requirements are less onerous is a main one for people I know who chose it.Mark ********
@Greg *******
Agreed. I know six non-O retirees who have already switched, still have bank accounts, and make a couple of dental appointments each time they bounce. Greatest visa ever!Greg ********
@Mark *******
At the start I knew a flurry of O retirees that have moved. Not so much since. If already on O what advantages are there to move except for remote working?Mark ********
@Greg *******
The main reason is obvious. No requirement to attend an immigration office for five years. That alone makes it worthwhile. Putting up with the petty nuances of immigration officers. Reason number 2, greater flexibility. No requirement to be in the country at a certain time each year to effect an extension. Reason 3. Much cheaper in the long term.I think those reasons are good enough
Greg ********
@Mark *******
Nah. Piss poor reasons. Then against that no bank account. Only 2 year driving license. Still a risk of questions upon entry and ongoing requirements.Mark ********
@Greg *******
Piss poor? Is that why some clowns pay an agent 20,000 baht just to avoid going to immigration? 😂😂😂. Those who switched keep their bank accounts. Who gives a sh1t about driver's licences? Struggling!Greg ********
@Mark *******
Nobody pays 20k to avoid going to immigration. Your ignorance is showing. So yes. Piss poor just like your boring craic.Paul *******
Greg Bewick I have friends who pay from
*****
to *****
a year for agents. A couple of them moved to DTV to avoid this in the future. I never used an agent, but I also switched to DTV. For a regular traveller it works out so much cheaperJef ********
@Mark *******
two things , the person asked about opening a bank on a DTV hence my answer.Second is I’m married to a Thai and have a DTV and opened a new bank account with kasikorn last week.
Reason why I’m on a DTV, is because I qualify for a DTV, and just happened to be married . You get a 5 year visa , I travel a lot , previously up until the DTV was available I was just on visa exempt
Mark ********
@Jef *******
One thing. The OP asked about opening a bank account whilst on DTV, not about changing visa category whilst already having a bank account. On your reasons for changing visa category I agree. The marriage visa is totally stupid. How soppy and drippy to have to take your wife to immigration to extend YOUR visa, supply photos standing next to the house number and have your neighbours interviewed every year. Anyone who has one of those stupid visas needs urgent helpReply to
Jef ********
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Peter ********
I had a bank account with Bangkok bank for two years. But now it’s temporary locked.
Anonymous ******************
Try krungsri / the yellow bank
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 485 Krungsri told me explicity they do not open accounts for people on a DTV. Now that may be the branch I asked but she held up a piece of paper which had the requirements to open. One was a vida issued by "Immigration" and listed the types.
Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
oh dear. I’m lucky they didn’t close my account I had a good few months with nothing in there.Greg ********
Anonymous participant 485 They have not been doing any checks since did the facial recognition quite some time ago.
Reply to
Greg ********
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 485 They may just follow the path of Bangkok Bank... It's quite common to see BB taking the initiative on changes.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 653 That is the worry. However many of the current check at Bangkok Bank are visa type, alignment of Sim with passport and face recognition. Krungsri and other banks did the face recognition setup 2 years ago. I cannot recall setting mine up at Bangkok Bank.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 653 I hope that’s not the case
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
even if you could be prepared to be frozen. Use ATM/ Moreta that will do
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 870 Only to business, personal you can use cash, i found it quite convenient. better than having your money stuck in the bank later haha
Steve *******
Anonymous participant 870 does Moreta work for transactions to personal accounts, or is it limited to businesses like TagThai?
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Steve *******
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DTV_Be*******
Nope the DTV is not a recognized visa for Banking
It could change in the future so stay tuned in
It could change in the future so stay tuned in
Mark ********
DTV_Begpacker Actually, it'll probably get even more difficult. Banks are under intense scrutiny by the regulator, and bank staff have already been sacked at Pattaya, no doubt for accepting bribes to open mule and agent accounts. I expect the scrutiny of applicants to intensify in the next few years
DTV_Be*******
@Mark *******
the thing about anything that deals with Thai govt is this Expect the unexpected with changes on a whim
What you know as truth on Tuesday is ancient history on Wednesday ahd you’re learning a whole new system
deal with it in the Thai way… (ไม่เป็นไร สบาย สบาย)
Mark ********
DTV_Begpacker Exactly. I fully expect all the other banks to follow the way Bangkok Bank is going. When people are saying "Go to Kasikorn, go to Krungsri" I'm just laughing and thinking to myself "forgive them Lord, they know not what they are doing"!
Reply to
Mark ********
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Anonymous ******************
No, and they are now starting to freeze them. Not a clever move even you could open one.
Pete *******
For more than a few months it’s been practically impossible to open bank accounts with a DTV.
James ********
@Pete ******
correct ✅Reply to
James ********
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Anonymous ******************
Very few. Alot of people getting notifications about their accounts being suspended in the last few days as well.
Jari **********
Use group search...
Reply to
Jari **********
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