How can I open a bank account in Bangkok with a DTV visa?

Sep 17, 2024
2 months ago
Jon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know there are a few threads on this but has anyone had any luck opening a bank account in Bangkok on a DTV visa? I’ve tried every chain in different locations but no luck as yet. Have heard some places do accept it though. Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Bangkok on a DTV visa can be challenging, with mixed experiences reported by expats. Some have successfully opened accounts with banks like SCB and Bangkok Bank, especially after a few months of residency. Others suggest using an agent to facilitate the process, which can cost around 5,000 baht. The bank's willingness to open an account may depend on the applicant's residency status and stability, and some banks prefer long-term customers. There are strategies like visiting a bank's headquarters or using agents in Pattaya to streamline the process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tommy **********
Dude just get an agent to open an Bangkok Bank account cost 5,000 Bhat
Jon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tommy *********
thanks man. Do you have an agent contact you could reco?
Jon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nice thanks
Tommy **********
@Jon *******
Contact Aom from So Good Visa Services, in Jomtien off Theprasit Rd, check their Facebook page.
Neil ********
Yes I opened one with no issue with my DTV on my second day here at SCB. I shared details yesterday when someone else asked.
Wannikea *********
There is only one magic bullet visa for opening a bank account, an Elite visa. So get on a bus and go to Pattaya and any of the numerous agents that will get you a bank account pretty much that day. Or spend the next couple weeks hoofing it. One such reliable agent is Tik Tok Services Thailand
Abas ******
Go to Bangkok bank headquarter, they will open bank account for you. All of the staff can speak English. I had the same problem too. I opened mine at headquarter of Bangkok bank. No need to give money to agents. Its near saladaeng BTS. Thank me later. They will open for free, just take 500 baht cash to deposit in bank account.
Henrik *****
Wait a couple of months, then much easier, than straight after arriving in Thailand.

Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.
Paul *******
@Henrik ****
It's got more to do with money laundering and especially Burmese citizens opening ghost accounts for this purpose.

Strictly speaking, I don't think a bank cares what kind of visa you have. They may have their own policies on this, but on the surface that alone isn't a disqualifying factor.

Citizens of some countries, especially Burmese as I've pointed out, are likely to be subject to more stringent scrutiny and may require a work permit in all cases, even while westerners are not.

Americans may be treated with more scrutiny as well due to reporting requirements.
Alex *********
Use an agent. 5,000 baht to open an account. I opened my account with Bangkok Bank on a lowly tourist visa
Upasaka ********
There is a YouTube video. I think it’s a German guy that you can check out. He explains how he got his Bangkok Bank. He will help you out I’m sure. Some thing like Bank staff getting trained about Constantly changing obscure Visas that a handful of foreigners may show them in any branch may take a while, I’m sure most of the staff don’t even know what it is yet.
Jon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
tbh I only need it so I can pay via QR codes!
Werner ************
Not possible, walk branch to branch until one says yes or get an agent
Daniel *******
You have better chance once you are in the country like 6 months, overall, they like you to have long stay.

Then it is literally branch by branch.

You can as well just pay an agent and that's it.

Lastly, do you really need Thai account? You might be a subject to paying taxes at some point if you will be moving money to a Thai bank.
Jon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've been here for 4 months and tbh only need it for QR code payments, not a major issue more of a minor annoyance sometimes.
Daniel *******
@Jon *******
Yea, so, just get in touch with an agent to open up the account. It’ll cost you few thousands, but that’s still better than run around banks being denied
Jon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
yeah I did the branch to branch thing, even filled out 500 pages worth in a bangkok bank only for them to call me a week later saying it had not been approved for "unknown reasons" ha
Dave *********
We used a visa consultant and opened one for my Filipino GF so we could apply for the DTV on a run to Laos later this month.

8000 and we went next day had a contact and went right up to the lady to open the account. Very smooth. No issues.
Jeff **********
@Dave ********
how much did the agent charge? Minimum deposit amount?
Jon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
EDIT: this is specifically asking about opening a bank account on a DTV VISA
Seb ********
Interestingly even Siam Legal only offers to open one in Pattaya (where they must have a contact), not in BKK. If you want to use the account in other provinces that’s not practical as there are fees and sometimes you actually need to go to your home branch to do things.
Paul *******
@Seb *******
You don't need to go to your home branch to do very much. Perhaps to get a new card every 5 years, but that's about it and only applies to Bangkok Bank. SCB will issue you with a new card at any branch.
Seb ********
@Paul ******
UOB sends me to my home branch (which was moved from Amarin to Mercuryville) all the time. Nowadays I don’t even try to deal with stuff elsewhere even though Gateway Ekkamai would be more convenient.
Paul *******
@Seb *******
UOB has very few branches in general. It's not like the big Thai banks. My original SCB branch where I opened my account where I was working has closed and I noticed they moved my account to some random nearby branch instead. I haven't visited that building (or area) other than driving past, since I opened the account in 2013.
Seb ********
@Paul ******
yeah I use KBank, UOB and Bangkok Bank. The Krungthai account we had to open because KTB produced the University Student ID Card for Thammasat was never used a single time and has since expired.
Greg ********
@Seb *******
It often depends on the bank too about what you can get done at branch. Bangkok Bank I had an account in Pattaya and in Bangkok they told me I had to go to the branch. I just opened another account (was on WP etc) with the branch who told me and completed what was needed - never used the account again 😉 Krungsri I have not had anything yet where I need to go to the original branch where it was opened. It is up in Pathum Thani and it was would be a pain in the backside if I had to go there. now I am not working.