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Is it possible to open a Thai bank account with a DTV visa while frequently changing accommodations?
Jan 4, 2026
4 months ago
Κώστας *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi 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 🙏
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 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
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.
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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Gemma ******
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 **********
Lift 30k baht each time. 0.733% fee. You don't even feel it.
Natasha *************
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?
Anonymous ******************
@Natasha ************
possible with a few agents to open account on DTV but there is no guarantee how long till the bank freezes your account again, the agents don't return your money back if the bank freezes your account, it's useless to pay Agents every time to open an account and later get your account frozenReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Elías ********
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.
For small street merchants, withdraw cash and put it on the TrueMoney app, so you can pay without carrying it.
Pedro *******
What is the problem of using Revolut all the time ? Why the necessity of opening a Thai bank account ?
Emile ******
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 *********
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
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
Elías ********
@Jared ********
TrueMoneyJared *********
@Elías *******
oops, yes forgot to include that oneReply to
Jared *********
Reply
MagentaWa*********
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 *********
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.
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 *******
Forget trying to open a Thai bank account on a DTV. Even agents cannot manage it.
Kurt *************
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.
Chance you get a bank account with DTV is slim at the moment but some say still possible at the right bank and branch.
Anonymous ******************
It is almost impossible to open an account with a DTV, and your frequent-traveler profile, without a fixed residence, will not play in your favor.
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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