Is it possible to open a Thai bank account with a DTV visa while frequently changing accommodations?

Question

Hi everyone, I have a DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) and I plan to stay in Thailand long-term, but will likely **move between hotels/short-term accommodations frequently** (no fixed address) to see different places.

My funds are mainly in **Revolut** and a European bank, and I’m trying to:
* minimize **Thai ATM fees **(I think is **220 THB** per withdrawal)
* avoid a **cash-heavy lifestyle**, since cash spending gets out of control easily

I’d really appreciate real-world input from people who stay **for months**:
1. Is it **actually feasible in practice** to open a **Thai bank account** on a DTV visa, or is it very branch-dependent / hit-or-miss?
2. If you have a Thai bank account, how do you **fund it in real life in order to avoid high fees**?
– Revolut → Thai bank directly?
– Wise?
– another method?
3. What is the **real monthly cost** (fees + FX), not the theoretical one?
4. For those who **change accommodations often**, what address did you give when opening the account?
5. In your experience, is opening a **local Thai bank account really worth it**, or does it just replace ATM fees with transfer fees?

Thanks in advance 🙏

Ask Thailand · Answer

The feasibility of opening a Thai bank account with a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is heavily debated, with many users reporting difficulty due to requirements such as having a fixed address. Suggestions for managing funds include maximizing ATM withdrawals to avoid frequent fees and using services like Revolut or Wise for transferring money. Other users suggest relying on cards for payments instead of a local bank account, as they are widely accepted. The general consensus is that opening a bank account with a DTV is unlikely, and alternatives exist for managing finances without one.

Gemma ****** · Answer

You can download western union app and send yourself as much as you want for a very small fee, think I paid £1.50 and sent myself £1000 last time, just pop into the closest Western union with your passport and collect. Super easy

Pedro ********** · Answer

Lift 30k baht each time.  0.733% fee. You don't even feel it.

Natasha ************* · Answer

i thought you could not open a bank account with a DTV visa, only a non-o or LTR.. Can you or someone please advice correctly if in fact I will be able to open a bank account on my DTV visa, and what the requirements are?

Elías ******** · Answer

You can't open a Thai bank account, nor you need to. If you want to avoid cash, use cards, they're accepted everywhere.

For small street merchants, withdraw cash and put it on the TrueMoney app, so you can pay without carrying it.

Pedro ******* · Answer

What is the problem of using Revolut all the time ? Why the necessity of opening a Thai bank account ?

Emile ****** · Answer

Am on a dtv and also have revolut. Withdraw the max monthly but priotize card payments where possible. Cash is for emergencies only and often 30,000 lasts me 2 months or more. My girlfriend also opened a bank account and gave me the card so I am slowly removing revolut from my daily spending and just do bank transfers to the account to top it up.

Jared ********* · Answer

I can understand your concern, it is much more convenient to have an account and pay with QR codes like locals do but it is very unlikely to be able to open a bank account now on a DTV.

Some people suggest TagThai, Moreta or another one called OneWallet to be able to pay by QR.  Might have to jump through a few extra hoops to be able to pay individuals at the small foodstalls by QR but possible on two of those apps.

I use Wise to move money between countries

MagentaWa********* · Answer

You can take out 30,000 baht and the 250 baht fee is nothing. Keep it thinking on it as a cost of living in Thailand. Overall everything is cheaper than in EU so just don’t mind on 250 baht.

Wannikea ********* · Answer

It isn't hit and miss, it's miss and hit.

If you are niggling over $6 a month in ATM fees... well....

Take the max out per transaction, 30,000 baht at yellow ATM.

Develop a friendship with a self sufficient Thai person, get a Wise account and send them money and get them to give you the baht.

Pete ******* · Answer

Forget trying to open a Thai bank account on a DTV. Even agents cannot manage it.

Kurt ************* · Answer

250 bt now 🙂 I use revolut myself, i also transfer money to my girlfriends account and have her take it out for me, or just take out the max amount the atm let me for the 250 bath.

Chance you get a bank account with DTV is slim at the moment but some say still possible at the right bank and branch.

Is it possible to open a Thai bank account with a DTV visa while frequently changing accommodations?

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