How can I open a bank account in Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa without a work permit?

Let me preface with something important:

It's not abot 'true' or not. There is no law that tells banks that they have to give you a bank account depending on your visa.

It's up to the bank to decide with whom they want to enter into business. 🙂

If they want to see a work permit, then that's fine. Their rules. 🙂

Buuuut, I've heard multiple people saying that with an agent you can get a bank account.

I've also read about people trying different branches, or even talking to a different employee and getting different outcomes.

My summary (and what I'll do as soon as I'm back in Thailand with the DTC) is:

just ask somewhere and if they say no, go somewhere else and try again.

If I get too many no's and get tired of asking around, I'll pay an agent.

But you don't get a WP with a DTV, you don't need a WP for a bank account and it's a hassle to get one. But it can be done. 🙂

Opened account myself at BKK bank 2nd Road Jomtien 300 yards from immigration. Was on 60 day tourist visa. Ask what they need go away get all and return. Wasn't too difficult.

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.

9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?

You’re on a glorified tourist visa, the DTV. Thailand brought it in because it wants regular or kong stay tourists to stay longer.

You don’t have a work permit and don’t have the same rights as expats or those on that those type of working visas.

We tried to open with Bangkok Bank the other day in Krabi on DTV. They did not reject based on the visa but the only catch they have was that the purpose of opening bank account for foreigners is to buy the insurance for 30k bath and get cash back return of 3k every year.

Go to Bangkok Bank Headquarters in Siloam bring a certificate of residency (issued by your embassy)with you

get an agent

Get an agent 5,000 Bhat fee,

In Pattaya try Tik Tok Services or Mots or M visa

I got told the same yesterday, retirement visa yes, tourist no.

Any agents can help in Pattaya? The fee ?

had same experience. 4x no… after them asking for wp. in bangkok, different banks. i wonder, if i have to go to Pattaya physically to employ one of their agents? or can this be handled from hua hin? and i learned that i need an insurance.. p.s. hh agent wanted 11k 😒

Bangkok Bank is your best chance, however as suggested I’d get an agent & save the aggravation.

Walk bank to bank until one says yes

You can’t have a WP with a DTV obvs, but it’s not really the permit. It’s the visa type - OA - which has several types including retirement visa. I know a visa agent and wealth consultant here and the DTV is deemed the same as a TR in terms of getting a bank account - ie you’ll struggle to get one.

Find the right agent and you’ll be able to get one I’m sure.

It also helps if you wear business attire

Try Bangkok Bank Headquarter... that seems to be the only / "easiest" place right now.

P.S.: You are right... a workpermit is one option, the other one is a Non-Imm-Visa... they love it. With your DTV... if BBL HQ says no, then there is almost no chance at the moment, not without an agent.

P.P.S.: And don't forget... the bank make the rules, and every branch make their own. So... everything is up to them, there is no rule or law that they have to let you open an account.

Is there any agent in bangkok?

I got a Krungsri account on a tourist visa, a very long time ago.

Sometimes bank answers here are ridiculous haha, you cannot have WP if you have a DTV 😂.

You should try in Bangkok Bank.

The tip is to save time and effort pay an agent. In Bangkok it can be more expensive as not much competition but in Pattaya it is 4-5k THB