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How can DTV visa holders manage banking in Thailand without traditional bank accounts?

DTV visa bank account Thailand banking DEEPPOCKET financial services expat advice QR code payments money transfer KYC requirements

Dec 18, 2024

3 months ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

If you’re on a DTV visa and struggling to open a bank account, I’ve just found something that works: DEEPPOCKET.

I signed up yesterday and got approved this afternoon. You can top up at Big C, Tesco Lotus, or even bank branches by following the app instructions. I tested it out by having a friend send me 500 baht via QR scan, and so far, no issues.

It’s only been a day, but it’s already making things easier. At least I don’t have to carry so much cash around anymore. I’ll be using this until the banks decide what to do about DTV visa holders.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

DTV visa holders face challenges opening bank accounts in Thailand, but a user recommends using the DEEPPOCKET app for easier money management, allowing top-ups at various stores and facilitating QR code payments. Other users share mixed experiences: some suggest routine banking practices, while others caution about the app's potential risks and past issues with account locks related to KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. The conversation also touches upon alternatives like opening accounts in Cambodia and consulting agents for easier banking solutions.

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.

Pelle Eriksson

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Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

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Max *****

Mr Smart advice, now tell me how to transfer money there from abroad? It is not possible, right? So you need money within Thailand,right?

It is not really fixing the Problem bringing or transferring money in 🫣😔

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

You have to be in Thailand. Top up by Lotus. Or go to the nearest bank.

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Max *****

Anonymous participant so the suggestion is to withdraw cash and put them on account just to be able to scan? 😂😂😂

Limited value i would say except some online payments out of physical reach 🤗🥳

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

yeah i just use it to pay rent and bills. much better than having to carry cash around most of the time.

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Anonymous *************

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Peter ********

Just go to an agent and you will have a bank account very easy

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Fabian *******

Why you not open ordinary bank account in thai bank?

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Noel *********

Anonymous poster, for a money app that has fraudulous history, looks scammy

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Jari **********

********************************************

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Anonymous ******************

Just deal with an agent to keep your money safe. Opening a Bangkok Bank account in Pattaya costs 3,000–6,000 THB; it's possible even with a tourist visa or DTV. They arrange everything, and the process is completed within half a day. Search ‘TikTok services’. They do everything for you.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 424 do you have to be in Pattaya?

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous participant You have to arrange an appointment with them first, and they will bring you to the bank branch so you have to be in Pattaya at least one day, but contact with them from now and they can inform you.

They arrange all the necessary paperwork’s for you (including resident certificate from immigration) in advance before you go to bank with them.

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Anonymous ******************

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Martino *******

Why only in Pattaya? In Bangkok they are more rigid?

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Alex *********

Anonymous participant 424 what agent did you use?

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Anonymous ******************

TikTok Services

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Alex *********

Anonymous participant 424 in in bkk tho TikTok is in Pattaya

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Alex *********

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Peter ********

I used Nan service

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Peter ********

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Jirka ********

Anonymní účastník 424 you dont need agent 😂

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Alex *********

how did you do it?

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Jirka ********

just try couple of branches :) with tourist visa

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Jirka ********

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Anonymous ******************

Of course, it's not necessary, but most bank officers won't let customers sit down unless they have a visa stamp valid for at least one year in their passport. People may have to visit several branches to find someone willing to help.

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Anonymous ******************

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James ********

Anonymous participant 424 correct ✅

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James ********

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Maurice **********

If you do your visa-run after 180 day's, go to Cambodia. Open a bank there.

Then you can easy pay with QR cods in Thailand. I would suggest ABA bank. We do it all the time.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Maurice *********

you can just open a bank in cambodia with a cambodian tourist visa?

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Maurice *********

with a dtv visa?

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Fabian *******

@Maurice *********

why not open bank in thai bank?

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Maurice **********

the less financial in Thailand, the better.

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Maurice **********

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Nick *******

@Maurice *********

this is true. However, it only works with businesses properly registered, such as having vat number and the rest of it. Regular folk, street vendors, unfortunately it does not work. Otherwise a great option.

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Bob **********

and who decides the rate ??

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Nick *******

it's the just same as your visa or master card. Just a different method via qr scan. So ABA Bank in this case decides I assume, but I think the rate is rate. It's not inflated. Fees are made on the transaction as per usual. The business soaks it up or adds 2 or 3 percent on when paying with an international card.

However, I guess qr scanning might avoid shops adding the 2 or 3 percent???? As they think it's just local to local.

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Nick *******

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Travis **********

properly registered in Thailand? Or anywhere? Ex my US business could open an account ?

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Maurice **********

Correct!

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Maurice **********

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Paul ********

The banks will not be doing much about DVT visa it is nothing more than a glorified tourist visa does not hold any non immigrant status

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Jake **********

On the APP store it looks as if you use the QR Code for topping up, can you confirm if you can use the QR Code to spend?

TIA

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Alex *********

@Jake *********

I use DeepPocket every day. I pay in restaurants, supermarkets, my barber, stores, etc. I scan the business' QR code to pay.

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Luc ************

@Jake *********

you can't.

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Luc ************

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Lalph ******

I have no idea what deeppocket is. Haven't even googled it. But first thing that comes to mind is be careful with things like this in thailand. I have had experiences with things in the past where they let you sign up easy and put money in then all of a sudden lock your account and request work permit and non-imm visa "kyc" to unlock it. Satangpro (now orbix) and truemoney wallet were a couple that happened to me. Could be wrong though as i didn't look into this.

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Martino *******

at least they will give your money back if you don't have work permit?

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Lalph ******

If you complete kyc then yes. kyc requires a work permit for most of these things. Something as simple as updating your details in the system like new passport or something will trigger kyc

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Lalph ******

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Sab *****

You mean you put cash on it and then spend it via QR code? You may as well spend it cash? But i see, if you have a lot of cash. On the other hand you can't cash it back? Only spent it?

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Werner ************

Reviews on fb don’t look great

**********************************************************

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Dany ********

@Werner ***********

yeah i would not use any of these services

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Dany ********

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Liam *******

But most places in Thailand take cash right? But you can’t withdraw from ATM so how’s this any different to Revolut or wise?

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Mac *******

Have a day off mate

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Steve ********

I think it's you needs a few days off! The world is changing and people just have to start getting used to it

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Mac *******

where did I say it's not changing? I think you have a serious attitude problem, the fact of the matter is that like it or not if you landed in Thailand or anywhere else in SE Asia for that matter today, you would cope alot easier using cash than if you relied solely upon card/digital payments, will this change in the future, of course it will but for now, its a cash society, im correct on that, like it or not

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Steve ********

Hmmmm

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Steve ********

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Mac *******

everywhere in Thailand takes cash mate

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Steve ********

You haven't got your eyes open buddy! Thailand is at the front of cashless transactions!

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Mac *******

show me the million other shops that take cash only....I'll wait

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Steve ********

You can wait as long as you like. I was responding to your INCORRECT comment that said EVERYWHERE takes cash.

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Mac *******

so you're telling me I can't operate on a day to day basis whilst using cash? The forefront? A doughnut shop and car rental shop? Are you for real? I live and run multiple businesses in Thailand and have done for years, trust me, you can buy food and doughnuts and rent cars with cash

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Steve ********

I was simply showing you that you were WRONG. Simple huh?

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Steve ********

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Greg *********

apart from most Starbucks now

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Mac *******

I've never been in one so I wouldn't know

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Mac *******

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Marvin **********************

with this app you can pay via QR code which is accepted everywhere, card payments are not accepted everywhere

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Liam *******

@Marvin *********************

Ahhh ok wicked, that’s good to know, even in little restaurants as well?

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Rosslyn ********

every place has QR code, even the street vendors. I always have cash but sometimes they don’t have change and can’t accept. The whole QR code thing has proven more frustrating than not for me. I started using Moretta but only official business are in their system. Hopefully this DeepPocket is more expansive .

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Marvin **********************

yea the QR code is everywhere, only time I’ve had to draw cash out in Thailand in the last 18 months is to pay police fine, I use QR for everything, pay bills with it as well

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Marvin **********************

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Steve ********

Many places now are going cashless. QR code PromptPay is the new King in Thailand

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Steve ********

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James ********

Suggest you remove the person's name and account numbers from your Post

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Grant *******

You just need to shop around, it took me a few different branches before one lets you open

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Iñigo ************

how old are you? They seem to only open bankaccounts for people 50+ years on a DTV sometimes.

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Mo ******

which one finally opened a bank account for you?

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Grant *******

krungsri eventually let me, a bkk bank were also letting me but wanted me to buy a 4k thb insurance policy, it probably took me 10 different bank attempts

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Mo ******

well done! And thanks for the tip

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Mo ******

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