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How can I open a bank account in Thailand as an expat?
Jul 14, 2025
10 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m so obsessed with opening bank account. Help me out :)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the challenges faced by expats, particularly DTV holders, in opening a bank account in Thailand. While some users report success in quickly opening accounts, others highlight difficulties and regulatory issues. The consensus seems to suggest that having a local agent may be required due to stricter banking policies for certain visa types. Additionally, some community members question the obsession with needing a Thai bank account, offering alternatives like using international payment apps.
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 ******************
can DTV holder open a Thai bank account?
Jon *********
You have a better chance getting a ladyboy pregnant
Anonymous ******************
I'm sick of these constant bank questions but since you phrased it in a funny way 😅
It's been reported in here that TTB is letting people open accounts on DTV. So if I needed one that's where I would try 👍
It's been reported in here that TTB is letting people open accounts on DTV. So if I needed one that's where I would try 👍
Anna *********
I’d suggest going into a bank and asking
More than that no one can help as you have not provided any details 😀
More than that no one can help as you have not provided any details 😀
Anonymous ******************
I used an agent
Robin *********
I have heard about ladyboy obsessions, but bank account? 😅
John *********
You can’t get one
Alexander *********
Watch me, I'll let you know when I do buddy
Reply to
Alexander *********
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Mike ******
Why do you need a Thai bank?
Alexander *********
Same I would love to open a bank 🏦 account
Anonymous ******************
@Alexander ********
if you give me money i can share bank contact i opened same wayAlexander *********
Anonymous participant 651 Where are you located? I'm not just going to send a stranger money. I am probably going to be living in Bangkok within the next month or so, I feel I can get more reliable contacts once I am boots on the ground.
Reply to
Alexander *********
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Steve *******
Soi bukkau Bangkok Bank Pattaya. They do it all day. Need 3k baht deposit. Set you up with the app
Peter *********
@Steve ******
that’s where I went nearly 20 years agoReply to
Peter *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
I've lived in Thailand 10 years and I've never had a Thai bank account. I don't understand what the obsession is.
Alexander *********
Anonymous participant 155 For me it's the QR system and having back up payment methods, I don't like breaking change for every microtransaction I make, it adds up to boat loads of money over time, you don't understand that?
Jef ********
@Alexander ********
use Moreta pay app …..Alexander *********
@Jef *******
you like it more than true money? Thanks for the infoJef ********
@Alexander ********
yeah it’s accepted more places and you can link it to wise or a normal credit/debit card.Plus I haven’t tried this feature but I’ve been told you can also use it in Laos and Cambodia (and maybe Indonesia)
True money isn’t really excepted many places to be fair
Jef ********
Sorry Phillipines not Indonesia
Reply to
Jef ********
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TaShuna ****
Anonymous participant 155 you just continue to use your bank back in the states?
Reply to
TaShuna ****
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Anonymous ******************
I'll bet other random guy will ask about " how to open bank account in Thailand ?" Within a 20 mins ... 5555
Bob *********
why do you need one?
Bradley ********
Bot
Anonymous ******************
Try WaiWin App
Toni *******
So much bs here, what the banks do has nothing to do with dtv (so, posts break the rule of the group)... i wish the admins were a bit more awake :(
Luit *****************
@Toni ******
It is certainly not a hunt for DTV holders, but DTV holders are one of victims of the policy, and as such it is also DTV related.What I still don't understand why people want a Thai account so badly.
Where I cannot pay with cards, I can use Wise or Revolut or just pay with cash.
Another thing is a lot of people here are complaining when they have to keep money in a Thai account for a non-o visa, and when having DTV they complain not having the possibility to open a bank account at the same banks they don't want to put money into.
Toni *******
@Luit ****************
nowadays (tax law), might be even smarter to keep your money abroad... im lucky i brought my money in year beforeLuit *****************
@Toni ******
tax laws are changing often, so difficult to decide about that. First they want to tax money you bring in, latest proposals are money brought in same or next year will be tax free, we will see...Toni *******
@Luit ****************
Im from a DTA country where taxes are higher, but atleast I save time because no need to do reporting when I dont need to bring more :)Reply to
Toni *******
Reply
D**
admins must be trapped in the queue at Bangkok Bank opening an account🌞
Melanie ********
@D**
😂😂😂Reply to
Melanie ********
Reply
Toni *******
Im obsessed to know why the admins accept all the troll posts
Paul ****
DTV? Nope.
Alexander *********
@Paul ***
I have DTV, does that mean there is better chance?Marc *********
@Alexander ********
nopeReply to
Marc *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
i paid 400$ to open bank account
Martin ********
Anonymous participant 651 I’m not surprised you’re posting anonymously 😂
Anonymous ******************
@Martin *******
if you give me 600$ i can share my contactReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Tommy ********
You are posting as an anonymous. How do we know you’re legitimate? Also, DTV holders are essentially long term tourists so it’s difficult to do so without a proper agent.
Even then, the banks are closing DTV holder accounts so it’s not even about opening one, it’s about keeping one.
Even then, the banks are closing DTV holder accounts so it’s not even about opening one, it’s about keeping one.
Toni *******
@Tommy *******
no they are not targetting dtv holders. I guess you didnt get the message from bangkok bank jan-apr, so you dont know what it says?Tommy ********
@Toni ******
research more. There have been many accounts that have been froze and not applicable for upgrades or continuation because of their visa status under DTV.Toni *******
@Tommy *******
@Andrew *******
stop talking nonsense. It has nothing to do with DTV. Of course there are dtv holders among them, but thats marginal. Get your facts right and do your googling.Toni *******
There are
*****
dtvs approved and *****
0 accounts frozen. It has nothing to do with the dtv. Its bigger than that. People who actually have an account here knows what message the bank sent them, you 2 obviously dont so stop pretending you know ok?Tommy ********
@Toni ******
actually there’s a lot more DTV’s approved than that. Was updated by officials today.Anonymous ******************
@Toni ******
my bank account was frozen a month ago without any message (no email,sms notification in the app or what ever) When I called bangkok bank they refused to tell me why and just told me to go to my branch, when I went to my branch they told me my account was frozen because it was opened on tourist visa. I showed them that I have Dtv and they said it's not enough. Only retirement, maybe Ed, work permit with 1 year lease. Gave me all my money back and I deposited some to the TrueMoney app. You said that bkk bank sent msg jan-apr . What message was that?Toni *******
Anonymous participant 712 they asked people to update their info with bank and/or sim operator, if not by the end of april, account could be closed. So people who are not in thailand, had not much chance
Reply to
Toni *******
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Andrew ********
@Toni ******
actually i know 4 DTV holders that had their accounts frozen due to upgraded requirementsAlessandra *******
@Andrew *******
I had my bank account frozen for requirements update and I am on a NON-B with BOI visa and work permit. I went to the bank, they took a pic and all back to normal.Toni *******
@Alessandra ******
im with dtv and opened account 2years ago with exempt, I followed the introductions that bkk bank sent me and everything ok 👌Robert ***********
@Toni ******
You didn't open a bank account 2 years ago with a DTV. DTV program first started July 2024.Toni *******
@Robert **********
thats right, i have never said so. I opened it with visa exempt. Point stands: they dont target dtv holders, they target a lot of people with wrong info, you can google why they do it.Reply to
Toni *******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Not happening. You’ll be paying taxes also for it.
Kenan ************
why you all guys are so desperate?? I opened my BKK bank account in 30 minutes in Ao Nang
Marb ********
@Kenan ***********
lol you’re so out of touch 😂Kenan ************
@Marb *******
did it change that much in a year mateMarb ********
@Kenan ***********
you’re just like a boomer - “oh I bought a house when I was 25 it’s not that hard, young people just need to save better”Marb ********
@Kenan ***********
can you read the room? Have you seen any of the hundreds of posts in this group lately about how fkn impossible it is to open an account? Obviously not if you still think it’s “easy” lolKenan ************
@Marb *******
No I can't read sryReply to
Kenan ************
Reply
Alexander *********
@Kenan ***********
That's great, I mean I'm not desperate, but it would be convenient to use QR system, come on you understand thatAnonymous ******************
@Kenan ***********
since few months ago all requests for new account need to be authorized through the main headquarters. Pretty much impossible to open an account in 2025 on TR/DtvAlexander *********
Anonymous participant 712 Does this really apply to every bank branch in every city in every mall though for every employee at the bank, my understanding is if you just keep trying someone will say Yes I have seen it 100's of times
Reply to
Alexander *********
Reply
Andrew ********
@Kenan ***********
yeah how long ago ? Ive tried with 3 banks BKK being one and was denied on ed visaKenan ************
@Andrew *******
a year agoReply to
Kenan ************
Reply
Martin ********
@Kenan ***********
if you know anything about Thailand at all you should know that everyone has a different experience even within the same bank or the same immigration office or DLT. There is no consistency whatsoever.James ********
Kenan ************
@James *******
around a year agoJames ********
@Kenan ***********
then it was possible to get a Thai bank account opened with the DTV visa. Now, it's NOT possible. And those who have been able to get the bank account by use of the DTV visa, may find their bank account closed. It's happening with Bangkok Bank account holdersReply to
James ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
True Money is easy to open and many shops accept.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 987 I can't even download the app
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 631
********************************************************************
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Karl *******
Therapy sounds like the correct approach
DTV_Be*******
Get a WP or a Non-O visa Elite visa or other long term visa
Problem solved
Problem solved
Alexander *********
DTV_Begpacker I have DTV
DTV_Be*******
@Alexander ********
good Luck getting s bank acctAlexander *********
DTV_Begpacker Love the name 😂 just saw Travis’s video bagging 💼 on begpackers
DTV_Be*******
@Alexander ********
they’re the scourge of the earthAlexander *********
DTV_Begpacker God has to teach us patience somehow 😂
Reply to
Alexander *********
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Anonymous ******************
Better give up or it will consume you!! Enjoy Thailand without obsessing about a bank account.
Alexander *********
Anonymous participant 397 Na weak people give up when it's not that hard, lazy
Anonymous ******************
@Alexander ********
…Okay, keep dreaming.Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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James ********
Anonymous participant 397 wise advice ✅
Reply to
James ********
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Stuart *********
Maybe state whereabouts you are in Thailand and perhaps someone will know an agent who could help. Incredibly difficult these days without one. Possible but highly unlikely.
Toni *******
@Stuart ********
its just a troll...Reply to
Toni *******
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Anonymous ******************
No chances at this moment.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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