Answereda year ago
Is there a risk of my Thai bank account being frozen after switching to a DTV visa?
-THAI BANK ACCOUNT-
My SCB account was opened 8 years ago as salary account on my Non-B visa. I always maintained several million THB paid to me through legitimate, Thai taxed salary/benefits, which I am still maintaining after quitting my job. I also religiously filed Thai Income tax returns each year.
Recently my WP and Non-B visa has been cancelled after my resignation. I am considering switching to DTV. So, as reported by several members here on DTV, is my bank account at risk now or anytime in near future? TIA 🙏
My SCB account was opened 8 years ago as salary account on my Non-B visa. I always maintained several million THB paid to me through legitimate, Thai taxed salary/benefits, which I am still maintaining after quitting my job. I also religiously filed Thai Income tax returns each year.
Recently my WP and Non-B visa has been cancelled after my resignation. I am considering switching to DTV. So, as reported by several members here on DTV, is my bank account at risk now or anytime in near future? TIA 🙏
Answer summary
The discussion centers around concerns about the security of a Thai bank account after switching from a Non-B visa to a DTV visa. Many users share their experiences, suggesting that long-term account holders are likely not at immediate risk despite potential scrutiny from banks. Some expats have successfully maintained their accounts, while others report possible issues tied to specific banks or regional practices. The community recommends proactive engagement with banks, such as updating personal information, to mitigate the risk of account freezes.
49 repliesnewest first
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Anonymous ******************
I opened my SCB account 15 years ago without any visa. Never had a problem, I only ever enter Thailand as a tourist, never held any visa.
Wylie *******
Anonymous participant 790 I think the OP is worried due to recent posts about people having their accounts frozen due to their visa status. Someone recently posted that they switched to the DTV and Bangkok bank froze their account as a result of switching to a visa they do not allow to have an account.
Ja***
I think it's very unlikely with SCB because they had much stricter requirements and never opened accounts for people on tourist visas in the first place. Most of account closures are from Bangkok Bank which historically had much looser requirements to open an account. I opened an SCB account last year with an ED visa and no problems so far keeping the account open with a DTV.
Anonymous ******************
My SCB app is currently frozen. I opened it on non-DTV visa 2 years ago. When I return to Thailand I’ll go in person to the bank and see what happens.
So I think prepare for any eventuality.
So I think prepare for any eventuality.
Charlie *****
I opened my account 5 years ago while on ed Visa, I lost my bank card and had to go to the bank. They said my account was fine as the phone number matched and I opened it while on a different visa.
Anonymous ******************
Been on DTV close to a year, SCB hasn’t ever made any mention of closing my account or asking any questions. Even went in to move half a mil, no problems.
Berk *****
May frozen anytime
Anonymous ******************
Why did people switch from retirement visa to DTV? If seemed like a bad idea 6-9 months ago. But people said DTV was more convenient
Retirement visa gives you more flexibility
Retirement visa gives you more flexibility
Wannikea *********
Don't listen to all the fear mongers. No your account won't get canceled, yes you might be called in for a KYC interview or updated ID. I've had my account with SCB for 15 years opened up on a tourist visa and the same with my Bangkok bank account only opened up a year ago on a work permit, and now I'm on a DTV. Neither branch manager told me to worry about anything they're looking for criminals.
Anonymous ******************
I was the same and now dtv no issues
Anonymous ******************
Same situation. No requests or blocks from BKK bank. However I went to receive a replacement credit card and the took a copy of my visa stamp, I managed to get that back off them after talking to a manager knew. Could pose an issue in the future for replacement books or cards
Derek *****
You should be fine. My SCB is working and my situation is similar. I did go in a few weeks ago to update my info when Bangkok ,Bank started this crap show. I recommend you do the same and then you’ll feel much more at ease.
Crazy how they will give you a drivers license on a DTV tourist visa, Bur a bank, which is even more necessary, is a no go.
Crazy how they will give you a drivers license on a DTV tourist visa, Bur a bank, which is even more necessary, is a no go.
Mat ******
@Derek ****
your App did not get closed?Derek *****
SCB is fine — I actually have Bangkok Bank accounts but I took all my cash out when this started. SCB is great!
Anonymous ******************
It’s funny you mention this, when I recently went through the process of updating my details of Thai wife, the bank already knew about my vid and Thai child, yet I hadn’t informed them. I believe they do have a system in place to check with immigration, and hence needing name and address on the receipt from Ais/telco. To make sure the info marries.
Felipe *******
Really lovely people, the true answer is,
How can anyone be sure that a centered service will be liable with your funds, everything can change and simply you have lost access to your $...
There is a way to be safe and its called BITCOIN, Blockchain, decentralization, NOSTR, PRIMAL.net, we don't need nationalities and border, we are from the planet
How can anyone be sure that a centered service will be liable with your funds, everything can change and simply you have lost access to your $...
There is a way to be safe and its called BITCOIN, Blockchain, decentralization, NOSTR, PRIMAL.net, we don't need nationalities and border, we are from the planet
Anonymous ******************
@Felipe ******
already many countries banned crypto and even more will do it in the future. You can't buy anything by Bitcoin, you need to exchange it into fiat currency. And then the government can ask you: where do you have it from? :) sorry, Bitcoin is not a solution.
DTV_Be*******
You could just buy the elite visa and keep your bank acct
Or Do a business visa and apply for a PR with your history
Or Do a business visa and apply for a PR with your history
Paul *******
DTV_Begpacker Can apply for PR but not immediately..must be on unbroken non-B or non-O with work permit. Otherwise, you start from scratch.
Anonymous ******************
I opened my bank account around 3 years ago, switched to DTV November just gone and haven’t had any issues.
Anonymous ******************
Probably opened mine about the same time on non o, closed now as on DTV
Brad *********
I would recommend keeping it in Wise if possible and moving only living costs to your Thai bank account as needed month to month in case it gets frozen. Also keep some cash under the mattress. 👍
Jay **********
I think you're safe, especially given that you opened it so long ago. I opened mine over a decade ago while on WP. I switched to DTV this year and have had no problems and don't personally know anyone with an older account that has had issues. Maybe it's a regional thing though... I've heard about people in Pattaya having issues, but I'm down near Krabi.
Tom ********
@Jay *********
out of interest since you switched to DTV have you been back to the bank and shown your passport as ID? Hearing so many conflicting reports around this where some have opened their accounts a decade ago with WP and then switched to DTV with no issue until they went to the branch itself
Jay **********
@Tom *******
I don't think I've needed to go into the branch at all this year, to be fair.Tom ********
@Jay *********
yea guess it’s going to be luck of the draw which is not great, think I will shoot for the study instead of non-b until it gets sorted out. No chance people stay here if they can’t pay for good and services. Thanks for the insights appreciate
Jay **********
@Tom *******
I agree, it should be easier than it is. Another user commented that banks at the same branch as me and she said they told her it's fine for them if the account was opened on the correct visa. When reading up on it somewhere official (can't remember where) it had mentioned the account remaining open would be at the discretion of the individual banks and the policies they choose.Tom ********
@Jay *********
yea in process of deciding my visa route as don’t have a WP now, banks seem to be calling people in randomly and again just hearing different reports when you present passport if you have tourist or DTV they inform you that your account will need closing. They certainly not making it easy at the moment
Anonymous *************
OP@Tom *******
I went to bank for something after WP/Non-B cancellation. No issues. They took a copy of passport data part and took my signatures on it but didn’t even open Visa extension page or asked for WPAnonymous ******************
I dont think so. You opened the account with your resident visa. The bank has no way to know you switched to a DTV.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 796 Banks can, and actually should, ask you periodically for some documents. Sooner or later they will know.
Siggi *******
Anonymous participant 741 banks ask for nothing don't post lies, the only things are your sim card is not registered with your name or actual passport or your passport is run out and you are not updated it. They will never close an account if there is enough money for the costs and if you use it regular.
John **********
It's possible. If you're old enough (or married) I would go for a Non-O
Anonymous *************
OP@John *********
45 and no plans to get married anytime soon 😂Anonymous ******************
If you never go in for Id updates as you say then you might go undetected.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 870 a bank can request it anytime.
Anonymous ******************
It's not only about Thailand, but more or less about the whole world. I have no proof, but I suppose Trump ordered (maybe through OECD or the global bank?) that banks have to be more serious about non residents. I suppose it's about hardening sanctions on Russia. It looks like the only place for - somehow - safe banking is your home country. A bank account anywhere else - even with a solid foundation - can get blocked (short term or long term).
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 741 No, it's only Thailand. While some countries do restrict bank accounts for non residents, others simply make you pay more (such as Swiss banks).
Anonymous ******************
@Paul ******
hmm I was checking with the usa, Estonia, eu, hk, Singapore... Without solid arguments I'm not able to have an account thereAnonymous ******************
@Siggi ******
totally incorrect. You're a resident if Thailand is your place of living. No matter the visa or how many days you stay there. This is also the interpretation of European banks.Siggi *******
@Paul ******
easy to open but dtv is a tourist visa so you are not a residentPaul *******
Anonymous participant 741 There may be restrictions but they're not as onerous as Thailand and once your account in those jurisdictions is open they won't close it regardless if your residency changes. Different situation to Thailand where even resident farang can't open accounts at some banks regardless of their residency.
Mat ******
It will get canceled, had the same, was on a NonB for few years, now I’m on DTV and my account is closed!
That’s what I see in the (SCB) App as I’m not there at the moment 🤷🏼♂️
That’s what I see in the (SCB) App as I’m not there at the moment 🤷🏼♂️
Anonymous ******************
@Mat *****
And you just got caught in the crossfire. I had an account opened on a Student visa. It expired a long time ago. I used the account for all my tourist visas for 2 years. Now I have a DTV visa account that works great in two banks.Siggi *******
Anonymous participant 947 there is no dtv visa bank account
Paul *******
@Mat *****
No, it isn't likely to get canceled but I don't know what kind of checks they're doing so it's hard to say for sure.Anonymous *************
OP@Mat *****
Thanks for the info. Is there an information sharing system between banks/immigration which detects visa type and status? I am asking because my bank never asked me for my visa status in last 8 years.
Mat ******
Anonymer Teilnehmer I don’t know, I guess they closed it to check on me/us as the work permit (at least mine) only was valid for a year
Anonymous *************
OP@Mat *****
My WP was also initially for one year which was renewed annually, but bank never asked me for renewal evidencesActivity
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