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How can a Digital Nomad with a DTV Visa open a bank account in Thailand?
DTV VisaDigital NomadThai Banking SystemVisa RegulationsExpat Banking OptionsTrueMoneyRemote WorkCash Transactions
Jun 3, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERDTV: Remote Worker
I want to Bank in the land of smile to make life easier but there were more frustration than smiles. Yes, there are other method but you may be prone to Scam using hard cash plus there isn't a paper trial.
I live near On Nut and I read the banks in Big C may be more forgiving so I gave it a try and here is my experience.
I tried TTB, SCB, Bangkok Bank
I called TTB at Digital Park which about 1 month ago told me to try head office and they now said no.
I have the following docs and they didn't even ask or take a look at any of my docs. I tried the supposedly magic words "Remote Worker" they don't care. They ask what Visa and the moment they hear DTV. It's a No Can KAA! or You have work permit? No Can KAA!
TM30
1 Year Condo Lease
Employment Contract
Tabian Baan "House Registration" signed by owner
Passport (American)
Phone Number Thai (Data & Phone)
DTV Remote Worker
I'm either going to try the True Money method with 20k limit
or use cash or wait until the whole banking thing cool down.
lmk if you know other method that would make life easier using QR.
I want to Bank in the land of smile to make life easier but there were more frustration than smiles. Yes, there are other method but you may be prone to Scam using hard cash plus there isn't a paper trial.
I live near On Nut and I read the banks in Big C may be more forgiving so I gave it a try and here is my experience.
I tried TTB, SCB, Bangkok Bank
I called TTB at Digital Park which about 1 month ago told me to try head office and they now said no.
I have the following docs and they didn't even ask or take a look at any of my docs. I tried the supposedly magic words "Remote Worker" they don't care. They ask what Visa and the moment they hear DTV. It's a No Can KAA! or You have work permit? No Can KAA!
TM30
1 Year Condo Lease
Employment Contract
Tabian Baan "House Registration" signed by owner
Passport (American)
Phone Number Thai (Data & Phone)
DTV Remote Worker
I'm either going to try the True Money method with 20k limit
or use cash or wait until the whole banking thing cool down.
lmk if you know other method that would make life easier using QR.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their frustrating experience trying to open a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa. Despite having all the necessary documents, they were denied by several banks due to their visa type. The conversation highlights various opinions from community members, suggesting alternatives like using cash, TrueMoney, and other apps for transactions instead of traditional banking. The discussion reflects the broader issues faced by digital nomads and expats regarding banking services in Thailand.
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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Anonymous ******************
There's several apps you can use to scan QR codes which are handy...
And then I use both Wise & Revoult to pay for items or @ Bigger shops restaurant where no extra charges Tops Lotus Central & can link cards to grab and bolt for transport & takeaways deliveries too etc...
I Sometimes transfer to friends with Thai account then get code off them for cardless withdrawal at ATM...
Or another option I go into any of the BiG 4 Banks and withdraw larger amounts 40,000 - 50,000b but may still incur the 220b fee 🫤💰💸 and then try make that last as long as possible (8+ weeks) also using other payments methods as well...
But I guess also depends on your spending patterns / habbits and if you live like a local more than a tourist coz y'all easy blow ya dough like monopoly monies if the latter....
😎🙏🏽
And then I use both Wise & Revoult to pay for items or @ Bigger shops restaurant where no extra charges Tops Lotus Central & can link cards to grab and bolt for transport & takeaways deliveries too etc...
I Sometimes transfer to friends with Thai account then get code off them for cardless withdrawal at ATM...
Or another option I go into any of the BiG 4 Banks and withdraw larger amounts 40,000 - 50,000b but may still incur the 220b fee 🫤💰💸 and then try make that last as long as possible (8+ weeks) also using other payments methods as well...
But I guess also depends on your spending patterns / habbits and if you live like a local more than a tourist coz y'all easy blow ya dough like monopoly monies if the latter....
😎🙏🏽
John **********
It's not just every bank that's different but every branch of every bank. You might need to try many branches but get a residence certificate from immigration before you try again
Alex *******
With the latest changes last week you are not going to be able to do this. Just need to live with it unfortunately
John *********
Typical Thai logic, offer DTV’s globally, then once they approve tens of thousands, taking all the application fees etc make it virtually impossible for these holders to open a local bank account ie a savings account with a debit/atm card & internet banking. They should be bending over backwards to help DTV holders open bank accounts! 🤷🏾♀️
Don’t they realize these successful DTV holders are good for the local economy and highly likely to spend considerably more that an average Thai 🤦🏻♀️
This has always been the problem in Thailand, very poor planning. Like so many ideas in Thailand, much of it never goes anywhere, they really need to wake up before opportunities are lost for ever and rival Countries offer far better solutions.
Great country but poor on solutions, frustrating for so many.
Don’t they realize these successful DTV holders are good for the local economy and highly likely to spend considerably more that an average Thai 🤦🏻♀️
This has always been the problem in Thailand, very poor planning. Like so many ideas in Thailand, much of it never goes anywhere, they really need to wake up before opportunities are lost for ever and rival Countries offer far better solutions.
Great country but poor on solutions, frustrating for so many.
Joe ******************
Combine True Money with a decent credit card that has no foreign transaction fees. Capitol One cards are good. I use my Capitol One Savor card and Apple Card for almost everything and get 3% and 2% cash back, respectively.
Dave *****
You are on a tourist visa. What did you expect?
WhiteGra********
I opened a bank account in onnut a few months back. No problem
Tammi *****
WhiteGrapefruit0 Which bank?
Anonymous ******************
WhiteGrapefruit0 Things have changed since.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Christopher ********
You’re not getting a bank account here. Live with it.
In fact so many people tried, and I knew something would happen, they banned everybody because this is not a residence permit. It’s a tourist visa.
In fact so many people tried, and I knew something would happen, they banned everybody because this is not a residence permit. It’s a tourist visa.
Anonymous ******************
If your a digital nomad on a tourist visa you should not be able to open bank account
You showed you bank account to get DTV. Use wise for rent
Credit card at grocery stores and bigger restaurants
How much cash you need? Seems like one atm withdrawal a month is enough
You showed you bank account to get DTV. Use wise for rent
Credit card at grocery stores and bigger restaurants
How much cash you need? Seems like one atm withdrawal a month is enough
Greg ********
I cannot see it "Cooling Down" unless the Bank of Thailand or banks HQ issue new guidance and they usually follow the BoT. Scammers have ruined it and the pressure is from on high to stop it.
Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
Indeed. Neighboring embassies continue to issue DTVs with minimal requirements, allowing scammers, illegal workers, and other types of criminals to easily stay in the country for up to five years. There isn't a day without news of foreigners being arrested for these reasons. How are they managing to stay, now that tourists exemptions and ED visas are becoming so strict?Rogerio ******
Anonymous participant 332 it wasn’t hard to get a visa/get into the country and do border runs before dtv.
Anonymous ******************
@Rogerio *****
That's what I said... They are moving from exemptions/ED to DTV as both are now highly scrutinised which wasn't the case before.Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 332 The thing is we do not know if any of these are on DTV. It has not been publicised. They often mention overstay but it cannot be that with the DTV.
Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Yes, it is now all banks and not only Bangkok Bank. It used to be that way with other banks except the ones you mentioned and it has now changed to all of them unfortunately. Opening an account with a DTV is no longer an option for now.
Dany ********
just use cash and enjoy life… what is the problem? millions of tourists doing it. cash is king.
TrueMoney is an option. i think the limit is actually 50k. top up with cash only.
TrueMoney is an option. i think the limit is actually 50k. top up with cash only.
Mathew ********
@Dany *******
because it costs 220b every time you use a cash machine, why don’t you close your bank account in your home country and just use cash?Lucas **********
@Mathew *******
yep , FK that...Anonymous ******************
@Mathew *******
Weird and pointless question as the topic is about using money in Thailand with a DTV.Dany ********
@Mathew *******
1. i am not a tourist in my home country. but yeah, i use mostly cash, even in germany. but i live mainly in thailand (without a bank account)2. your atm fee argument is useless. because if you have a thai bank account, how do you put money into it? you use Wise? guess what, that is not for free 🤣 and 220 baht atm fee per
*****
baht transaction. that is about 0,73%. pretty cheap for a tourist in a foreign country. how much is it with wise and your local thai account?btw: there is banks in this world that will reimburse you the atm fee. Charles Schwab for example…
so i rather keep my money in a non thai bank. you see how quickly things can change here. especially when tax laws get more strict.
Anonymous ******************
@Dany *******
when you withdrawal money from an ATM in Thailand it's not just 220 baht, you get hit with poor exchange rates from your home country's bank. Transferring from Wise is far cheaper. Other than bring in a heap of cash and keeping it in your sock drawer, there's no better way than having a Thai bank account.Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 811 i get amazing exchange rates from my bank. Wise is not much cheaper. sure, it all depends on your home bank.
David ********
Anonymous participant 811 correct
Reply to
David ********
Reply
Luit *****************
@Mathew *******
220 baht might be a bit high, but it is just about 1 percent.Is that really worth to open an account for? Part of that money you will loose by transferring anyway.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Erik *******
I have True Money. Unfortunately you can only top up and deposit money in TrueMoney using cash at
****
or True shops. Cannot use foreign cards.James *******
@Erik ******
someone else said you can deposit with foreign cards though?Erik *******
@James ******
1) Try yourself: do as I did, ask their customer support. They are pretty responsive. 2) If you could deposit with foreign card, I guarantee that Truemoney would be way much more popular than it is right now.
Reply to
Erik *******
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Erik ******
Thanks. What's the limit or max? Is there a charge to refill? I already use Fidelity and Charles Swabs so no fees on withdrawal. What's needed to open an account?Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
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