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Has anyone successfully opened a bank account in Thailand under the DTV visa?
Mar 21, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTEROh, has anyone actually managed to secure a bank account under DTV yet, or are we still stuck in the delightful era of cash-only transactions? Just checking, you know, for any signs of progress.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The community discussion reveals mixed experiences regarding DTV visa holders opening bank accounts in Thailand. Some individuals have successfully opened accounts with specific banks, often requiring detailed paperwork including letters from the visa application, accommodation documentation, and TM30 forms. However, challenges remain, such as stricter government regulations and the risk of accounts being closed later. Alternatives mentioned include using apps like True Money for transactions.
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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Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Jackie ********
Use Cc and pay off.
Beatrix **********
i dont get it as all the money put in thai banks is taxable so it feels like it would benefit them to let the DTV holders have bank accounts. more money for them.
Sean *******
Sean *******
@Beatrix *******
I've had a Thai bank since 2015. Stayed longer than 180 days in a few years and haven't paid any tax.Mounir *****************
@Sean ******
perhaps you should read your year end bank statement and look at the withholdings tax line itemBeatrix **********
@Sean ******
well thats niceSean *******
@Beatrix *******
Sure is. I also went there last week to update my mobile number. Nothing said about providing a TIN or my home country Tax ID.Reply to
Sean *******
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Johnny ********
Anon, what's wrong with cash?
Adrian ********
Yes and it didn’t cost me a penny, just needed to provide a cert of residence which you can get from a immigration office
Audrey ********
I saw in another post people will get the bank accounts open but then they would get a letter that they were closing it
Daniel *********
Forget about the bank account. Use True Money. Same same but different. 😂
Goad ********
@Daniel ********
you can't use it everywhere unless you have Thai ID. I am pretty much restricted to Grab, Lazada and 7-11Daniel *********
5-10 transactions a day.
Daniel *********
@Goad *******
I use it successfully in about 75% of the places. For the rest I carry emergency cash. But lately I’ve been getting more and more successes.Reply to
Daniel *********
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Felipe *********
Cash only my friend, I'd not trust having money in a Thai bank account if it's open with an agency.
Thuy ******
Try TrueMoney. I can now pay any vendor via PromptPay QR code scanning.
Anonymous ******************
Yes I have. You need to put about 10k in tea money tho
Werner ************
Not likely
Marius *********
Deeppocket App Cost 399b per month but you can QR scan and use it as a local Visa card
Liam *******
@Marius ********
how would you get money into this? Just transfer from a bank accountMarius *********
@Liam ******
best is from other Thai bank account.but there are different optionsLiam *******
@Marius ********
ok thanks, so can you get money into this from a ukbank account or it has to be thai
Reply to
Liam *******
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Jack ********
@Marius ********
does it work to scan personal bank accounts or only a registered business ?Marius *********
@Jack *******
both possible. I never had errors in 4 months scanning everything haha like drivers, food shoppingReply to
Marius *********
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Stephen *******
We managed to successfully open an account for us both yesterday on a DTV visa with TTB bank in Koh Samui
Requirements:
We are actually doing remote work. You need the letter you applied for visa plus a copy translated into Thai and signed by lawyer
Copy of Bluebook from wherever you are staying
TM30
Signed ‘lease’ paperwork for accommodation
Thai mobile number
Once we had the above, was simple to do and account opened immediately
Hope this helps
Requirements:
We are actually doing remote work. You need the letter you applied for visa plus a copy translated into Thai and signed by lawyer
Copy of Bluebook from wherever you are staying
TM30
Signed ‘lease’ paperwork for accommodation
Thai mobile number
Once we had the above, was simple to do and account opened immediately
Hope this helps
Marius *********
@Stephen ******
which bank exactly? What are the costs? ThanksMarius *********
That’s amazing! Can you share which branch / location?
Stephen *******
@Marius ********
TTB bank, no costs, didn’t need to take out any insurance etcReply to
Stephen *******
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Axel *******
@Stephen ******
Thanks Stephen. Very helpfulReply to
Axel *******
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David ********
The government has tightened paperwork that banks must accept due to money laundering operations here agents can no longer open accounts. You need a letter from your phone company identifying you and your phone account that's the hard bit. But if you just walk in you will get a no. You need all your paperwork first and also explain you have a 5 year visa and that you need to pay bills etc.
Jack ********
@David *******
plenty of agents are opening accounts. A couple in Pattaya paused for a while that doesn’t represent the rest of ThailandDavid ********
@Jack *******
check againAxel *******
So using an agent is the being smart enough to figure it our then?
James *******
@Jack *******
one agent in Pattaya told me.8,000 baht our service fee
Bank fee 3900
Residence certificate 2000
David ********
@James ******
there is no fee charged by a bank to open an account they try to sell insurance but it's not compulsory. Also resident certificate from immagration is free. Agents are scammers they charge for service that is free. Do it yourself betterJames *******
@David *******
I think the issue is finding a bank that will open it.I assume they’re paying the bank some money to do it
Ric ******
@David *******
residence certificate just cost me 200 THB in Bangkok, not free. What you mean is TM-30, it's not the same. Of course, 2.000 by the agent is ridiculous. Regarding the spend/earn money thing, I try to remember my hourly wage when I was still trading time for money. If some coach or agent without formal qualification wants to earn a lot more than me per hour, I prefer do to it myself. At least I know it will be done properly then.Jack ********
@James ******
that’s how things work here. Get the residence certificate yourself if you have time to chase peanuts. Never spend more time trying to save money rather than make moreReply to
Jack ********
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Luke ****
Think it's time to make a petition to the govt to tell banks to allow this, helps bring in more economy to the country and banks and makes it simple for dtv holders a win win situation, otherwise till then use alternate sources like wise
Jack ********
@Luke ***
sorry the attitude that you are doing Thailand a favor by being here doesn’t workAxel *******
@Jack *******
then why have they introduced the DTV? because they think foreigners are bad for Thailand?Jack ********
@Axel ******
I didn’t say that boy. But don’t act like a bunch of digital nomads are some great contributors to the Thai economy. If someone isn’t smart enough to figure out how to open a Thai bank account I think you have bigger problems in life.Axel *******
@Jack *******
Boy? It seems that you have very spent little if any time engaging in the subject of trying to open a bank account on a DTV. Maybe have a read and see how few people got it done and how many got rejected by multiple banks.
If you are that much smarter than everyone else and you have succeeded why dort you share how you have done it
Seun **********
@Axel ******
just ignore him. He's giving keyboard warrior vibes, calling a grown man a "boy" SMHJack ********
@Axel ******
listen up you Bogan. Use your head it’s not rocket science boyAxel *******
Reply to
Axel *******
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Luke ****
@Jack *******
no one's doing anybody a favour mate, just thought would make sense for dtv holders to have bank accountsReply to
Luke ****
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Expat **********
@Luke ***
Highlighting to the Government you got a 5 year visa based on a dental appointment or cooking course might not be the smartest thing to do….Ben ********
@Expat *********
but @Luke ***
is correct, we are bringing a lot to the economy by being here, it's the only reason they created the DTV. And they made it purposely easy to get it, so why would that not be a good idea?Luke ****
@Expat *********
bro what are you talking the govt is the one giving visa 😂 immigration n govt are connected, ofcourse they know people are coming in these basisReply to
Luke ****
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Andi ***********
Many get via an agent, some have got via a walk around until they get a yes.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERReply to
Anonymous *************
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Anna *********
Some have most haven’t Where when and how seems to be totally random.
Best advice is just keep trying or give up for now 😀Good luck
Best advice is just keep trying or give up for now 😀Good luck
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Anna ********
Oh, some people here are really out here with their ‘helpful’ answers. I personally went to every bank branch they claimed to have secured an account at—surprise, surprise, no luck. But hey, it's Thailand, right? Maybe they’ll ease up on the banking bureaucracy… or not. It's like the whole vape situation: they shut down the vape stores last month, and now—ta-da—they're back. Classic!Reply to
Anonymous *************
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