How can I open a bank account in Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)?

@Brandon ***********

I’ve never known a race of people so obsessed with money.

@Colin ********

what is a "long term" visa? Any visa that isn't DTV? Isn't DTV the longest of them all?

@Cruise *****

no, the DTV, although it's valid for five years, you are required to exit Thailand at least once a year and, I think, is considered a Tourist Visa. I'm not up with all the DTV details, but I believe that proofs of eligibility particularly for 'soft power' options, are required to re-enter. The long term Visas are the Non-O based on being over 50 (retirement), or married to a Thai, LTR Visa and what used to be known as the Elite Visa (now called Privilege Visa, I think)

@Cruise *****

they’re misspeaking. Most non-o visas are for 90 days, after which you apply for a year-long extension of stay, which people confusingly refer to as a “longterm visa”. Any non-tourist visa that you qualify for will allow you to open a bank account. There is no catch-22 that people keep bringing up. Leave the country, apply for and receive a non-o. Ask whichever bank you want to open with what their requirements are, return with those requirements, and you will have a bank account in your name. It can be tedious, but people do it all the time without issue.

@Gabriel ********

I got my account frozen for no reason 😊

@Steve *****

and how did you solve it? Did they at least explain to you why they froze the account?

@Gabriel ********

it's not sorted I had to travel from sakon nakhon to pattaya and then back and it's still locked nearly a month since I went,it's been locked 6 weeks 🙉🙉

@Gabriel ********

that’s funny. Good luck but I’m sure it will be locked very soon. You may want to transfer your money to a more lenient bank before it’s frozen.

@Robert *************

which are the more lenient banks? Is kbank ok or same as Bangkok bank

@Gabriel ********

Because you are not a citizen?

@Christer ****

I don't understand your ask

@Gabriel ********

Sorry; you misunderstand. It's a retorical question. Because you aren't a Thai citizen, or have a proper, non tourist visa, you can not have a bank account in Thailand. Same like in most parts of the civilized world.

How about your retorical question?

11 December I opened my account

visa-free entry on December 5th

😉 You can believe me or not. I just checked the account and it's working. I wanted to take a screenshot to prove it to you, but the app doesn't accept screenshots.

@Gabriel ********

you obviously were lucky to be able to open a Thai Bank Account while in Thailand. It's become increasingly more difficult over the past 12-18 months at least.

You obviously also, have not been keeping up with news about what's been going on in Thailand. Have you heard of the problem with scammers and Scam Centres based just outside Thailand's borders, initially in Myanmar and now moved over into Cambodia? With these scammers, apparently they've been opening Thai bank accounts to 'launder' money scammed from innocent people. Many people were aware of these scammers operating just outside of Thailand, who were secretly going into Thailand and abducting people to work as slaves, after luring them into Thailand under false pretences and also hacking into Thailand's electricity grid to power their Scam Centres.

The Thai Government a few months ago, decided to try and clamp down on these scammers. While they can't do anything outside Thailand's borders, they have been trying to identify these fake accounts and close them down to interrupt the money flow from innocent scammed people going stop scammers from receiving the storm money.

Only the Thai Government would know how many fake accounts have been closed, but in the process many people with Thai bank accounts, Thai people and foreigners have had their bank accounts frozen, some for only a couple of days, some are told a few months, until the account and the account holder are are proven to be genuine. So yes, as you don't live in Thailand and don't have a long term Visa that allows you to live in the country, the chances of your account being frozen or even closed is very high.

@Colin ********

I also read the press from Thailand. Only MULE accounts were suspended. My Thai account only receives money from my European account, so no stress with the problems you reported.

@Gabriel ********

suspended/frozen is different to being closed. Mule accounts closed - yes. As I said, a lot of innocent people's accounts are being frozen while authorities check that they are genuine or not. Criminals move their stolen money through accounts across the globe to try and avoid authorities knowing who the money is really going to and just because money is going from an account on one continent to an account in another continent doesn't mean it won't be affected.

@Gabriel ********

me the same. But my bank account frozen twice. 🤣

@Gabriel ********

mines the same. Frozen yesterday and now closed.

@Curtis ******

wow, an astonishing level of spin by yourself too. I have to agree with you on who the real kingpins are though.

@Curtis ******

one of the reasons of why Thailand closed the accounts for DTV or tourists is, some of them on DTV or Tourism, sold it to the scam gangs. They just left Thailand and no need to have this accounts any more. So they just sold it with high price. They do not care of their accounts and scammers used this nicely. yes some of those on DTV or Tourism. But for long term visa holders, who mostly reside in Thailand or make Thailand as home, of course, they really care for their accounts. They must pay bills and rentals, everyday foods and essentials and drinking too.. They must care for their account. That is why they are upset when their accounts were frozen. i was also very upset and this made life hard in Thailand.

@Curtis ******

yes agreed. even though I have long term visa but my account was frozen twice. Maybe frozen again soon. Frozen and unfrozen and frozen and unfrozen again and again, this may be new life order in Thailand.