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Do I have to pay tax in Thailand on foreign income if I stay over 180 days with a DTV visa?
DTV VisaThai Tax ResidencyForeign Income TaxationBank Account RegulationsDouble Taxation Agreement with AustraliaRemittance RulesExpat Taxation in Thailand
Sep 6, 2025
8 months ago
Stephanie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERI need some legal understanding, if someone would be kind enough to clarify this for me. We are having an internal family debate over the Thai government website in regarding opening a bank account.
We have the DTV visas, and IF we bring money into a thai bank account - so foreign income that WAS already had paid tax on in Australia, is apparently to be TAXED here again if you spend over 180 days in year.
I know SO many people WHO have bank accounts here that live here for a long time and do not pay tax.
My partner thinks that whatever is on the government website is in fact law and is protected from it…
Could someone please clarify. Thank you
(Putting this in multiple pages to get more reach to hopefully get the right answers). Thank you
We have the DTV visas, and IF we bring money into a thai bank account - so foreign income that WAS already had paid tax on in Australia, is apparently to be TAXED here again if you spend over 180 days in year.
I know SO many people WHO have bank accounts here that live here for a long time and do not pay tax.
My partner thinks that whatever is on the government website is in fact law and is protected from it…
Could someone please clarify. Thank you
(Putting this in multiple pages to get more reach to hopefully get the right answers). Thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the tax implications for individuals holding a DTV visa in Thailand, particularly regarding foreign income and bank account access. Participants clarify that if a foreigner stays in Thailand for more than 180 days, they may be classified as a tax resident and subject to Thai tax on foreign income, unless protected by a tax treaty, which Australia claims exists with Thailand. There’s debate about the ability to open a Thai bank account on a DTV visa, with agreeing comments stating that it's currently not possible. Many contributors emphasize the importance of understanding one's tax obligations and potential liabilities even without a bank account.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Mo *****
Except remittance will all change again soon once this becomes law
**************************************************************
Henrik *****
You do not bring money into Thailand bankaccount, since you will have very slim chances to get one with a DTV.
So change your visa if a bankaccount is that important.
So change your visa if a bankaccount is that important.
Ho ******
There are so many facets to this question - the ability to open a bank account on a DTV, if the thai gov would even try to enforce it. But let's say that it is brought into thailand, and you have stayed in thailand more than 180 days. Technically, it is taxable by the thai government and you technically should do a return. But due to tax treaties between Australia and Thailand to avoid double taxation, this is taken into account in both countries and you as someone has already said end up paying the higher tax of either country.
Anonymous ******************
@Ho *****
Or if retaining Australian Tax Residency and meeting the criteria of Article 4 of the DTA, any remittances are non-assessable in Thailand. For many investors this is the preferred methodReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
We're leaving Australia shortly on DTV and are giving up our Australian tax residency as we do not have property or assets anymore in Australia. Is this an option for you?
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 443 when you give up foreign tax residency, you will have to pay tax in Thailand when you are tax resident in Thailand
Siggi *******
@Luit ****************
you don't have to pay tax if you are not generate income from Thai sourcesLuit *****************
@Siggi ******
Completely wrong, you also pay tax on money you bring into Thailand, no matter where you earned the money.At the moment only money brought in that you earned before 2024 is not taxable. The new proposed law will also make money brought in in the year you earned it or the year after that tax free.
If your home country has a DTA and you pay tax in your home country, it depends on the DTA if you have to pay tax or not.
In most cases when there is a DTA effectively you pay the highest of tax in your home country and Thailand.
And when your home country has no DTA with Thailand you just might end paying double tax, in both countries.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Luit ****************
yes exactly but only on income remittance into Thailand earnt in 25 or 24Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 443 For now it is not sure you don't have to pay income tax for bringing in money earnt in years after 25, the new law is not yet valid.
Apart from that you mostly also have to pay in the country where the money is earnt in case that is not your home country.
Apart from that you mostly also have to pay in the country where the money is earnt in case that is not your home country.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Anna *********
Put simply you won’t be able to open a bank account and if you did you would not pay Thai tax on any transferred funds as you’ve already paid Australia tax
Elías ********
The first question is rather, how would you open a bank account while on a DTV?
Jef ********
You are reading to far into it….. DTV visa isn’t able to have a bank account opened . There fore no need to pay tax.
Luit *****************
@Jef *******
tax paying has nothing to do at all with bank accounts and visa.Jef ********
@Luit ****************
what ever bro. My point is , if we can’t fully integrate into society why we should be paying taxes. If we can’t get work permits etc. open bank accounts. It would be difficult to pay taxes.You do you I’ll be fine
Luit *****************
@Jef *******
It is not up to you to decide when you have to pay tax, you can complain about the rules, but they are as they are made by Thai government.If you don't like Thai tax rules, don't stay there longer than 180 days a year.
I even wonder why you want to be there anyway, you complain about tax, you complain about integration, you complain about work permits, why are you in Thailand at the first place?
Jef ********
Luit *****************
@Jef *******
I do not pay tax in Thailand, I use DTV how it was meant in the first place, I just stay less 180 days a year in Thailand.You don't pay tax on DTV, you pay (probably) tax when you stay at least 180 days in a calendar year, so even in case you manage to stay 180 days on visa exempt you are tax resident.
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
You can get a work permit with the right visa 🤔, as well as a Thai bank account. Of course, you won’t get a five-year work permit with just a two-week cooking class and a DTV. From that perspective, the “integration” argument is just a poor excuse.Jef ********
Anonymous participant 562 can you get a work permit on at DTV clown 🤡?
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
Never said you could on a DTV… I said "WITH THE RIGHT VISA". You can on a Non-B if you want to. But hey, you’d rather go for an easy and cheap visa and then whine about it. The entitled clown who can’t read properly is you. 😘Jef ********
Anonymous participant 562 this is a DTV page ….. 🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
And? Sorry, but you’re the one whining about not being able to pay taxes because you don’t feel integrated, can’t get a work permit and a bank account. 🙄 You're right it's a DTV page so don't bring useless excuses as DTV was never about work permit!Jef ********
Anonymous participant 562 do you pay tax on your DTV ?
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
I do and guess what I even have a TIN. You're not going to teach me on how to live in here. Been here for quite some years.Jef ********
Anonymous participant 562 so you had your TIN before the DTV ?
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
I do. I also know I don’t need a Thai bank account to pay my taxes. Whatever, the point is you have no idea, since you’re not planning to pay them. Just stop making useless excuses or go for the right visa. People don’t care if you’re not paying your taxes as you should, but don’t make low-level excuses and mess up your visa.Jef ********
Anonymous participant 562 ok 👌 🤦🏼♂️🫡🫡🫡🫡
Jef ********
Anonymous participant 562 ok anonymous 🫡🤦🏼♂️🫡
Reply to
Jef ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
No need to pay tax’? Not exactly. Legally, it depends on your fiscal residency, tax treaties, and remittance rules. Thailand has just signed CRS... They can go back up to 10 years if needed, so tax evasion works only until it doesn’t. You don't need a Thai bank account for that, you can get a TIN without it.Jef ********
Anonymous participant 562 how can you “bring “ it in with at an account ?
Anonymous ******************
@Jef *******
cash, credit card. That could be remitted money.Todd *********
Anonymous participant 562 Jeff is clearly struggling to grasp this basic concept
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
@Jef *******
except on every baht/penny you bring into Thailand if you stay 180 daysJef ********
@Todd ********
everyone’s interpretation is going to be different. But how can you “bring” money into Thailand with out an account. Or you even talking about spending money ?Todd *********
@Jef *******
even spending money. Every credit card, debit card and electronic transaction is totally traceable. And as a tax resident of Thailand, they can compel any of us to produce our transaction record. Someone bringing cash only in has a chance, but if you spend 180 days here, they obviously understand you remitted some money to ThailandJef ********
@Todd ********
do you pay tax in Thailand on your DTv ,Todd *********
Jef ********
@Todd ********
so go to an LTR page what are you doing here ?Todd *********
@Jef *******
teaching proper clowns and idiot amateurs like you. Try looking up ‘remittance’ FFS you poor sodJef ********
@Todd ********
remitted into what bank accounts? 😂🤣Todd *********
@Jef *******
the bank account of every merchant you spent money at. That’s what remittance means.Ur kidding right? You can’t seriously be thinking you can trick a national taxation department by spending with a credit or debit card do you! 😂😂😂
Jef ********
@Todd ********
you are a proper clown 🤡Jef ********
@Todd ********
so you get your sallary put into a local restaurants bank account that’s remittanceTodd *********
@Jef *******
yes. It is. Any funds that enter the country to pay for your stay. And if you use a credit card you just set a perfectly traceable trail. Same for debit cardsReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Ian **********
Currently, if you stay here more than 180 days in any calendar year, then you are deemed a tax resident. It has nothing to do with having a bank account. However, you only have a tax liability here if you bring onshore funds that have not been taxed under a double taxation agreement. Most countries have a double taxation agreement with Thailand, and therefore, most people do not have a tax liability. At the moment, a tax return is only required if you have a tax liability and not just because you resided here more than 180 days.
Martin ********
@Ian *********
Thats not how it works at all.John **********
@Ian *********
this is not correct. If you bring in assessable income in a year you are a Thai tax resident you have a Thai tax liability and therefore you need to complete a Thai tax return. As part of that process you can claim a credit for tax already paid on the assessable income you bring in. This may or may not result in having to pay additional tax in Thailand, all depends on individual circumstancesReply to
John **********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
If you're from Australia you'll probably retain tax residency in Australia, and if you still have a permanent home there, you're not liable to pay tax in Thailand.
Todd *********
Anonymous participant 324 yes it appears you are struggling, but likely not of sufficient means for it to be relevant to you.
The great news is that departing the nanny state of 🇦🇺 and moving to 🇹🇭 is a great improvement. But many of you are reticent to cut the umbilical cord of Aus taxation. The DTA prevents dual taxation. But doesn’t exempt tax whatsoever. Will leave the interpretation skills and international taxation knowledge in your hands. But if your lifeline is tied to you Super there isn’t much to worry about. Thailand isn’t interested in you.
The great news is that departing the nanny state of 🇦🇺 and moving to 🇹🇭 is a great improvement. But many of you are reticent to cut the umbilical cord of Aus taxation. The DTA prevents dual taxation. But doesn’t exempt tax whatsoever. Will leave the interpretation skills and international taxation knowledge in your hands. But if your lifeline is tied to you Super there isn’t much to worry about. Thailand isn’t interested in you.
Anonymous ******************
@Todd ********
You missed it! 😂😂😂😂. The nanny state that allows negative gearing, dividend imputation and CGT discount to residents, and which pays me 11% tax free on my superannuation savings! Yep. I'll take that!Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
Anonymous participant 324 you really couldn’t be more factually incorrect
Anonymous ******************
@Todd ********
Actually no. That's my situation entirely and already confirmed by TROTodd *********
Anonymous participant 324 it’s a common mistake. I have confidence in you though.
Anonymous ******************
@Todd ********
Your mistake yes. Many make the same mistake and don't have the necessary comprehension skills to read the DTAPeter ********
Anonymous participant 324 double tax treaty still stands
Reply to
Peter ********
Reply
Ho ******
Agreed
Anonymous ******************
@Ho *****
You're wrong as well. Read Article 4 of the DTAReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
As mentioned, you cannot currently open a Thai bank account with a DTV visa. Regarding taxes, you need to spend more than 180 days in Thailand within a calendar year to be considered a tax resident. Whether you are subject to taxes then depends on factors such as remittance rules, tax treaties (there is one with Australia), and other regulations.
Kool *******
First, as it stands now you can not open a Thai bank account on a tourist visa, and the DTV is a tourist visa.
John **********
If you are a Thai tax resident and you bring assessable income into Thailand it is liable for Thai tax. Having said that Australia has a dual tax agreement with Thailand so you can claim a credit for tax already paid on that income. Basically you end up paying the higher of Thai or Australian tax
Cam ********
@John *********
this is spot onReply to
Cam ********
Reply
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