Does the DTV visa qualify for keeping a Thai bank account?

@Dany *******

A week before I came here my wise card was hacked. I couldn't get a physical replacement in time I came here plus wise has many limitations. I am for 6 months on long service leave. WTF is my crime operating a bank account I opened legally and why would you give a shit? My bank account is for convenience and to easily pay for online services. I bought shit off homepro online and had it delivered that I couldn't purchase at the store because it wasn't it stock. My bolt and grab are linked to my account. Again who is this hurting and why that F do you even care?

@Dany *******

how about minding your own business you shill. Who tf are you to be telling others whether they need an account or not?

@Dany *******

you can't setup scan pay without a Thai bank account. We tried true money when we got here in Dec and we couldn't link any US bank accounts (unless that's changed).

We have bank accounts that refund ATM fees, and CC are taken in a lot of spots (more than I had imagined). So we get along fine until my work visa is approved and I can get my Thai account. But the atm thing is kinda rare for people, so that isn't as convenient for most.

I've lived in BKK and Pattaya the last 5 months, it's definitely plenty safe to walk around with a week ot two's worth of money. But for many tourist who can't recognize the bills, an app would be far more easy and cheaper. My first month here it wasn't uncommon to mix up a 100 and a 1000B bill at quick glance.

It would just be helpful, I don't think it should stop anyone from visiting, long or short term though.

@Travis ******

you can use QR payment with TrueMoney and with TagThai. Both solutions work… no you cannot top up with a bank transfer. they both need cash top-up. that is the only current downside. will probably change in the future…

i live here for years without a local bank account and it works perfectly fine. 220 baht per baht transaction. that is like 0.73% fee… my home bank has good exchange rates too. and i also use revolut to its limit for very good rates. it is not much more expansive than using Wise and a local account. i also allways pay cash (even if i could use my truemoney account). cash is king.

@Dany *******

I did not know you could top up with cash. But I'm not here solo, wife and three kids also lol. We burn through 300k/mo with rent and utilities being 100k. Wise wasn't an option so we would have to go to 3-5 ATMs to be able to withdraw all the money we needed.

Doable, but not convenient. And tourisim generally does better the more convenient it is.

@Travis ******

lol. living the fancy hi-so life 😅 rent could probably be paid from wise to your landlord?

@Dany *******

haha yeah, we moved from Las Vegas. We save a bit of money, but 100% recognize we don't live the typical Thai lifestyle.

Here in Pattaya we can thankfully, but in BKK we had to pay via cash or Thai bank wire. So a week before rent was due we would just hit the atm every morning on our daily stop 😅

Big part of moving here was to show my kiddos they don't need as much in life as was taught to us. We get to bring some manufacturing jobs for the locals too, so it's a win win haha.

@Travis ******

@Travis ******

Never said it was a visa that worked for you, just asked what you'd define as a long term visa. A Non-O based on marriage or retirement is only 90 days, half the time a DTV allows you to stay. You also cannot work with a Non-O by itself.

@Garrett **********

I guess the big difference to me between the non O and DTV is the requirement to have a bank account for the longer term stay (retirement).

This is just in my head, but if they are allowing you to have money here, they are setting you up to stay long term. The DTV is specifically missing that component, and it seems by intent. If they wanted people here 6mo-5y they would have made a minor stipulation to require a small deposit or the 500k. Just my take on things though, I think Thailand could be more clear on this. But from what I've picked up the last 5 months of living here is that this is all pretty normal.

@Travis ******

When the 800k baht requirement was put in place (2018 I believe), it was to ensure those over 50 could pay for medical expenses they may incure. That's why the Non-OA that doesn't require 800k baht requires thai health insurance.

@Garrett **********

that makes sense, as it reinforces you are staying here long term. Inversely the DTV has no insurance requirement and the funds needed are not required to be in a Thai account. You do need proof of funds if extending your DTV visa vs doing the border run. At least that's my understanding.

@Jim *******

First of all Jimbo, I aint confusing a fking thing. The DTV is a 5 years visa, you're given 6 months to stay per entry. Both the visa validity and permission to stay is long than the most common "long term visa" a Non-O based on marriage or retirement.

@Garrett **********

got it dude. Have a good day.