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Should Digital Nomads (DTVs) Get a Thai Bank Account?
Thai bank accountDigital Nomad VisaDTVVisa rulesFinancial tips for expatsPayment methods in Thailand
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether holders of the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) should open a Thai bank account. Opinions vary: some individuals argue that it's not necessary due to alternative payment methods available (like using cash or international services such as Wise and Lazada), while others believe a Thai bank account is beneficial for managing expenses like rent and utilities. The community expresses mixed feelings, emphasizing that while having a bank account can be useful, it's not critically required for day-to-day activities.
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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Lee ********
Here we go again 😂
Jim ********
Digital Creator = Someone who takes holiday snaps 😆
Patrick *********
Are you applying for a bank account in every country you visit for 3-6 months? Cause that’s what a DTV is for. For multiple visits lasting a few months.
I pay my rent through Wise, electric bills via Lazada (accepts all cards incl Revolut and Wise), and True/dtac simply accepts foreign cards. The only thing that’s unavailable to me is the QR code payment… or practically unavailable cause TrueMoney doesn’t let let you do much without submitting additional documents like a visa with a work permit (so not DTV), but somehow I don’t miss it at all.
I pay my rent through Wise, electric bills via Lazada (accepts all cards incl Revolut and Wise), and True/dtac simply accepts foreign cards. The only thing that’s unavailable to me is the QR code payment… or practically unavailable cause TrueMoney doesn’t let let you do much without submitting additional documents like a visa with a work permit (so not DTV), but somehow I don’t miss it at all.
Dennis ************
I use it like 5 times a day so i would say yes
Dany ********
@Dennis ***********
lol for what? 🤣Reply to
Dany ********
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Marianne ********
Nice to have, not necessary.
David *******
You're asking in the wrong group!
Tristan *************
It would be nice, but it isn’t completely necessary. Take out 20k 2 times per month cash, you’ll pay around £12 for that, the rest you can do on card or wire transfer. I haven’t tried it yet, but the qr code thing from true money sounds decent. At the end of the day it’s cheaper here compared to where I’m from, so I don’t really fuss to much on a little atm tax, whatever.
Dany ********
@Tristan ************
yellow and green bank atm give you 30k per transaction… bangkok bank 25kTristan *************
@Dany *******
nice! My withdrawal limit is £500 on my card, so around 20k is the max I can take out 🥲Dany ********
@Tristan ************
just change your limit then :) easy fix 🤟Reply to
Dany ********
Reply
Marianna ********
Lazada is a must for every woman 🤣 thats why
Dany ********
Marianna ********
@Dany *******
what is COD? Thank youDany ********
@Marianna *******
cash on delivery… you need to check the products that are often comming from china….. locals very often use on delivery payment and do videos while opening the package, while thedriver is waiting. standard practice here
Marianna ********
@Dany *******
the amount a woman orders thats a nightmare 😅 or maybe just meDany ********
@Marianna *******
it can be 🤣 but i just have 20 open deliveries on Lazada for myself 😅🙈Marianna ********
@Dany *******
OMG 😅😅😅 maybe I deliver to you then hahahaReply to
Marianna ********
Reply
เมห์ดี **********
@Marianna *******
every international debit card works very good on lazadaMarianna ********
@เมห์ดี *********
omg i never tried! Thaaaank youuu ❤️❤️❤️❤️Reply to
Marianna ********
Reply
Brian *********
I am lucky enough to have a Thai bank account but I only use it for paying rent, phone, internet and electric bills. Those who have lived here long term without a bank account, what do you do to pay such bills?
Dany ********
@Brian ********
that is the problem with uninformed people that claim a bank account is a must have to survive.Rent - transfer directly with Revolut or even Wise or any other Fintech service.
Phone/Internet/Grab/…. - they usually all allow credit card payments without fees.
Utility Bills - Either wire to my landlord or cash or 7-11.
TrueMoney is also a thing for digital payments and full functionality is available.
Lazada another option.
Patrick *********
@Brian ********
I’m not “long term m” per se, but I have 1yr contract for a house. I pay my rent through Wise, electric bills via Lazada (accepts all cards incl Revolut and Wise), and True/dtac simply accepts foreign cards. The only thing that’s unavailable is the QR code payment.(or practically unavailable cause TrueMoney doesn’t let let you do much either without submitting additional documents like a visa with a work permit a excludes DTV)
Reply to
Patrick *********
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Tatiana **********
Thai government says NO😄
Brandon ************
@Tatiana *********
Thai government doesn't say anything. It's bank policy not government policy.Reply to
Brandon ************
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Artur ***********
Why do you need a thai bank account? I'm just curious
Dany ********
@Artur **********
i agree. living here for 3 years and a bank account would not improve my life at allJirka ********
@Artur **********
qr payment, bills, rent,..cash is annoying + stupid fees from atm…i use my thai bank 3-5x a dayDany ********
@Jirka *******
you could just use Revolut/Wise/other fintech to transfermoney… you could use TrueMoney… Moreta too. And cash? just a 250 baht fee for
*****
cash. not really much to even worry aboutJeff ******
@Dany *******
Moreta and TagThai don't work for personal QR codes. Most of the restraunts and businesses use personal QR codes.Dany ********
Jeff Ward TrueMoney works… Moreta is about to add the personal QR codes anytime soon.
i just use the good old cash as it allways works and is easy to deal with ;)
i just use the good old cash as it allways works and is easy to deal with ;)
Reply to
Dany ********
Reply
Eren **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Artur **********
because it is a basic human need like breathing airBrian *********
@Eren *********
nah, lived here for ages without. Never had any need whatsoever. Bought vehicles, went to school, etc, zero need for it.David ********
@Brian ********
how did you buy vehicles?Dany ********
@David *******
just transfer the money for the vehicle. i mean how hard can it be?Brian *********
@David *******
just transfer money to the sellers account. Can be done from Wise or any modern bank account tMatty *********
@Brian ********
You pay your utility bills down at 7 eleven?Dany ********
@Matty ********
7-11, cash, truemoney or just wire it to my landlord. so easyBrian *********
@Matty ********
even that! 🤣Reply to
Brian *********
Reply
Artur ***********
I still don't understand. You can use a bank account from your country to withdraw money. I'm asking seriously, there may be something I don't know about
Eren **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Artur **********
you cannot presume anything about my home country.Luit *****************
@Eren *********
Do banks in your home country not allow you to withdraw money abroad? Then the problem is not with Thai banks refusing to open accounts for tourists, but with your home country bank not allowing tourists to withdraw money abroad.Magnus ******************
@Luit ****************
Not so muchReply to
Magnus ******************
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Greg ******
Good luck! 😂
Greg ********
@Greg *****
Send the poll results to Anutin I say.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Greg ********
Great satire!
*****
Reply to
Greg ********
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