This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Is it still possible to open a bank account in Thailand on a Tourist Visa as of February 2025?

May 3, 2025
a day ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So as of February its basically impossible to get a bank account on DTV? I've spoken to a few agents now.
1,198
views
1
likes
34
all likes
21
replies
0
images
15
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
As of February 2025, opening a bank account in Thailand on a Digital Tourist Visa (DTV) appears challenging but not impossible. Experiences vary; some individuals were successful by purchasing insurance from banks like Bangkok Bank, while others noted difficulties due to the temporary nature of tourist visas, which can lead to banks being reluctant to open accounts for short-term visitors. Factors impacting the ability to open an account include the need for proof of a stable and traceable income, as well as recent changes in regulations surrounding banking for foreigners. Nonetheless, various strategies, such as obtaining an Education (Ed) visa first, have been suggested as alternatives to facilitate account opening.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous ******************
Yes due to so many criminal activities it's getting harder but still possible, make sure have full 180 days when you apply
Jaree *************
Try TTB bank
Anonymous ******************
Get Ed visa, open bank account with Ed visa, then get DTV
Cam ********
Nope. I got one in March.
Henrik *****
It is much longer than that.

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 reluctant 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?

*********************************************************************************************
*****
77-foreigners-face-new-hurdles-in-opening-thai-bank-accounts/

Be aware there is a error in the start of the article ( and several other copy - paste media with the same article )

A Thai Bankaccount has never been a requirement to get DTV, on the contrary it has been one of the big advantage over other visa, that you could get DTV as long as you could show 500.000 Baht equivalent in any bank anywhere in the world.

It has never been the intention that DTV visaholders should be in need of a Thai bankaccount.

****************************************************
*****
929?
Lee-Ann *******
We are in Phuket and went to Bangkok Bank in central festival and we can get one if we buy the insurance, said we want to check the insurance out before we commit to it, she said that was ok
Daehoon *****
@Lee-Ann ******
how much?
Dany ********
@Lee-Ann ******
how much is the insurance? and what kind of insurance?
Lee-Ann *******
@Dany *******
********************************************************************************
*****
85bc0
Anonymous ******************
@Lee-Ann ******
interested as well. We will be back in Phuket as soon as the DTV is approved and I got my kids on it as dependents
Chris *********
@Lee-Ann ******
Health insurance? And how much is it? If you don't mind.
Lee-Ann *******
@Chris ********
********************************************************************************
*****
85bc0
James ********
@Chris ********
I think it's an accident insurance policy for one year.
Patrapong *****
Where are you based?

This may be possible if you are in Bangkok.
Peter ***********
Probably because it's a tourist visa
Ja***
@Peter ********
The privilege card (elite visa) is also a tourist visa but they don't have any problems opening a bank account.
Peter ***********
@Ja***
Try telling that to a bank! The applicant shows an entry stamp for 180 days
Dany ********
@Ja***
i think the main problem is that banks still dont have a clue about the DTV… but on the other hand the elite is a 5-20+ year visa and the DTV is a 180 day visa in reality
Ja***
@Dany *******
DTV is a 5 year visa with 180 days per entry. Elite is a 5-20 year visa with 1 year per entry (or 90 days per entry for the old lifetime elite that some people still have). Last year I had a 90 day ED visa and was able to open multiple bank accounts without any problem. The length of the visa and/or entry stamp has nothing to do with it. I think the DTV is just too new and the banks haven't updated their policies yet. Now is also a bad time because the banks are under pressure to crack down on mule accounts used by scam call centers, etc.
Adrian ******
@Peter ********
yes,I'm glad I opened a bank account at the end of my Ed visa before getting my dtv!
Cameron *********
@Adrian *****
Same here