What are the challenges and experiences of finding accommodation and banking while on a DTV in Thailand?

Nov 9, 2024
4 days ago
This is my experience on moving to Thailand on a DTV. I feel like someone may find this useful, and thus decided to share.**

Introduction**

- I'm a digital nomad and have been interested in moving to Thailand for a long time because the cost of living seemed low, the weather is ideal, and I could easily conduct my business from there. Ever since 2020 I've been looking at apartments in Thailand through ddproperty, propertyhub and other websites, and had been impressed by the cheap prices for incredibly nice looking condos. Now I just needed a Visa.

- I applied for a workcation DTV online, right after it was announced. The visa was granted to me within 1 week. My embassy asked me some follow-up questions regarding my business and asked for some extra documents, but overall the process was simple.

Finding an apartment

- I went to Thailand for the first time in August, in order to find a long term rental apartment. I quickly noticed that all of the listings at ddproperty.com and other property websites are fakes, and the apartments don't really exist. Around 50% of the time I would get no response, and the other 50% of the time they would get back to me, offering another, significantly more expensive apartment.

- I managed to book a temporary apartment in Bangkok for 2 months, while I continued to look for a permanent condo to live in. I learned that the way to find condos in Bangkok is to join various facebook groups, and message the "agents" there. The same thing would continue in the facebook groups; whenever I found something interesting, the "agent" would get back to me saying that the place is no longer available, and they would offer something more expensive. This even happened on listings that were posted just 2 minutes ago. It felt quite bad that the only way to find an apartment here is to deal with dishonest people who you don't know (they never post with their real names), and who could be scammers. In Thailand anyone can call themselves a real-estate agent, and there's almost no way to check if someone is legitimate or not in these facebook groups.

- Eventually I managed to set up a meeting with someone from a facebook group, at a building I was interested in. I had accepted that the prices on the property websites were false, and I would have to pay more than I initially thought. Upon arriving there, the person told me that they aren't able to come, and someone else will come instead. Eventually I met with a 20-30 year old Thai guy at the lobby of an apartment building, where he asked me to pay 1 months rent, 2 months deposit and 1 months "reservation fee" beforehand. They told me this is how it works in Thailand, and if I wanted to reserve the apartment in advance, I would have to also pay this 1 month "reservation fee".

As I wanted to have an apartment ready before my 2 month contract in my old condo ended, and I especially wanted to rent in this particular building, I felt like I had no choice but to pay. I wasn't going to find anyone better from these facebook groups. He did show me a unit in the building, but he wouldn't give me a rental contract before I had paid everything. I didn't know the guys name, and it seemed that the name of the real-estate company he worked for was made up (didn't find anything online), but I paid him a lot of money in cash and hoped for the best. Luckily he didn't run off with my money, and I was able to move into the apartment as promised after my old lease ended.

Bank account and rent payments

- After moving in, I began to pay my monthly rent payments to the agent through bank transfers. I quess the agent then sends the money to the landlord. After my first payment though, they complained that I had not paid enough. I had double checked that the sum was correct, and I also sent them some payment confirmation slips. I knew that my bank charged me a fee for an international payment, and I had accounted for this in my payments. Next I sent them the extra amount they were asking for, but they still said they didn't receive enough money. It turned out that on top of my fees, their bank was also charging them a fee for receiving international payments. This fee was significantly higher than my bank's fee. Of course, they made me pay for this too, and now I pay even more every month than I was prepared for.

Opening a bank account in Thailand would solve this issue, but it's not possible on a DTV. I have tried this at many different banks in Bangkok, and they require a work permit or a long term student visa in order to open a bank account for you.

Because you can't open a bank account, it also means that you pay a fee for withdrawing money from an ATM. In my case however, the cheapest way to pay my rent is to withdraw the money from an ATM, take the cash to a Thai bank in person, and pay my rent there. I will do this every month, as this is cheaper than paying through an international bank transfer to the agent's account.

I recommend anyone coming to Thailand on a DTV to bring as much cash as possible with you, and try to survive on that money for as long as possible in order to avoid ATM fees.

Overall I'm still happy, even though the DTV has some limitations and even though I ended up paying a lot more for a condo than I was prepared for. Thailand is a nice country to live in, and to do your work, even though knowing the language would help a lot.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post shares a detailed experience of moving to Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV), highlighting challenges faced in securing apartments, dealing with rental agents, and navigating payment methods without a local bank account. It outlines the problematic practice of reservation fees by agents and the difficulty of opening a bank account on a DTV. The comments provide additional tips on alternative banking options and apartment hunting strategies.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Michael ********
5,000 THB Fee when receiving assistance through Siam Legal to open account with Bangkok Bank.

*******************************************************************************
Raul ***********
Can u open bank account with TM30?
Alain ***************
You can add your landlords thai bank details to wise. Only thing is missing is the thai bank payment receipt that some people like to see as proof of payment. Luckily i had my account long before the DTV was even available. Years ago it was much easier to open one. I find those real estate websites are nice to see pictures but as soon as you contact them in English, they will tell you a higher price. Get an agent or walk into their juristic person office. Invest some time and don’t just take the first place because you think looks nice
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alain **************
Thank you for these tips.
Dan *******
It’s nice that you wrote your experience down though, always feel free to reach out to people for help. Some DTV holders have been remote workers in Thailand many years and could pass on valuable info so you do not become ensnared / have a negative experience.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan ******
Thank you, I appreciate that.
Andreas *********
just pay 5000.- THB for an agent to open a Bangkok Bank account for you. Easy Peasy
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
Thank you for the recommendation!
Beau ********
Thanks for your detailed and informative description. As a digital nomad I have also been looking into working out of Thailand on a DTV visa. However the doubt I have is what happens after 6 months when I become tax liable ? One option is of course to leave the country for six months and re-enter, which the DTV would allow me to do. Any thoughts on this ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Beau *******
Leaving and re-entering every 6 months is not a way around the tax-residency. From my understanding you will officially become a tax resident if you spend over 180 in Thailand in one year. If you can go back to your home country for 6 months and re-enter Thailand after that, then you won't be a tax resident.

Does someone else here have more in depth information on this?
Ivan ************
You can't be expected to know everything before you come here. Useful post with the level of detail and it's still useful if people can make helpful suggestions about some of the things in the comments.

I have been here a long time and didn't know that there was such a widespread issue with apartment listings. I knew this happened that agents would list stuff that was gone to bait and switch customers but not to the point that almost anything you'd look at wasn't a real listing. I haven't rented in Bangkok from these sites but I have looked at them with the idea that if I did at some point want to rent there, that would be what I'd be expecting, so it's useful information to me that it may be difficult to get what is listed.
Dan *******
@Ivan ***********
Seems to be mainly a Bangkok thing, same with 2 month deposit,
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
Thanks, and glad you found my post useful. Yes, at least in my opinion looking at the various apartment/condo listing websites does more harm than good, since they will give you an unrealistic expectation of the price level in Bangkok.
Medeza ********
I have the DTV visa and was able to open a bank account in Bangkok Bank.
Kai *********
@Medeza *******
which branch?
Medeza ********
Kai Jürgens their main (HQ) , the one in Si Lom

************************
Rebecca ************
Either go directly to the building you want to rent in and ask reception - they usually do anything from month to month up to 12 month contracts.

Or just use Facebook marketplace when searching for places.

There’s no legal requirement to become a ‘real estate agent’ here, anyone can do it. Hence why you couldn’t find much about them/their company.

The ‘reservation fee’ I believe is the agents commission but is usually paid for by the landlord, and it often equal to 1 months rent. You shouldn’t have paid for that 🤷🏼‍♀️ but glad you got your condo sorted.
Mark ****
Thank you for posting this even though some people here are being dic*s. I am also looking to get the DTV and move to Thailand. I found some information from your post useful.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ***
No problem at all. Thanks!
Michael *******
It likely was not a fee from their bank that hit you. Most likely an intermediary bank fee.
Vitaly ********
@Michael ******
it is their bank. All Thai banks charge ~500 baht fee on incoming international transfers
Anonymous ******************
I arrived in Bangkok on my DTV in August, my second day there I went to SCB and was able to open account with no problems using my DTV which they excepted.

The only thing I had to do before hand as part of their process was have a Thai SIM card, so I popped to True and got that sorted and was back in 20min.

Within an hour I had a Thai mobile sim and a Thai bank account, all straight forward and no issues.
Steve ********
A very long-winded report, much of which is wrong sad to say
Angelo ***********
1) Of course you can open a bank account on a DTV visa.

2) just go to apartment complexes / condo complexes and ask for a free room/condo.

The rest of my comment gets "auto declined" all the time. No idea why.
Ivan ************
@Ang***
the admins have an overly sensitive keyword block. For me, including the word f-a-k-e did it, despite this being in OPs post.
Angelo ***********
@Ivan ***********
That might be it.
Karen ******
Thanks for the info. Great help. What do you think of Airbnb's for holiday makers. Would that be a problem to?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Karen Khkh Glad you found it helpful. I think booking an Airbnb in Thailand is a lot more straight forward. Should be just like in any other country. However stays under 1 month are illegal.
Karen ******
Anonymous participant - we coming in Dec till Mar and travelling around. So 1 or 2 weeks in a particular place. Does this mean that we have e to book into hotels and not private rentals like Airbnb's?
Sarah *****
Karen Khkh stays on Airbnb under 2 weeks aren’t technically legal but everyone does it and they are lax on the rules. You won’t have any problems reserving and staying short term on Airbnb in Thailand
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Karen Khkh You can rent an Airbnb, but if you would like to get a condo for under 1 month, it is not legal. I believe it has to be more of a traditional hotel or a townhouse. You can find some condos for rent in Airbnb for short-term, but this is not legal as far as I know.

Maybe someone else here has better knowledge on this?
Scott *********
Thx Anonymous GPT Guy
Jon **********
So it’s a guide on how not to do anything in Thailand. Useful thanks 👍
Adrian ***********
You can open a Bank account on a tourist visa with Bangkok bank.
Jonas *************
I'd only rent from official office, not some random Facebook guy who has key.

Hanging over money without contract seems risky.

Look into using Wise for transfers. Simple and fast and isn't wire. Exact amount arrives in account.

Bangkok bank doesn't require visa, but you need to do paper work and follow the rules
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jonas ************
Thank you for the tips.
Wannikea *********
Pay an agent/law firm to get a bank account. Easiest is go to Pattaya and pay 5000 baht, you'll have the account in 3 hrs if you arrive in the morning.
James ********
@Wannikea ********
Correct ✅
Adrian ***********
@Wannikea ********
it's possible to do it by yourself and just have to pay for the debit card.
Chris *******
@Adrian **********
what branch?
Ko *******
@Wannikea ********
it’s possible for much less than 5k…
Ivan ************
@Ko ******
it would be helpful to say how, if using an agent, which one and how much, if DIY which branch and what documentation was needed.
Wannikea *********
@Ivan ***********
Tik Tok Services Thailand in Pattaya
Ko *******
@Ivan ***********
no agent,a friend of a friend 😗
Nick *******
Exact same game they play in the Philippines..it's so annoying.
Elías ********
High bank fees (on both ends) for international wire transfer are completely normal.
Michael *********
Seems like a good read on how not to do things here. Hadn't you read much or perhaps anything about the country you had decided to move to?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ********
Thank you. Yes, I read something. Also, I had been browning apartments online for a long time, which of course turned out to be a waste of time. I also watched podcasts and youtube videos on how to find apartments in Thailand, which adviced you to use facebook groups to find apartments.

Really the most unexpected things were regarding finding the apartment.
Sylvia ********
Anonymous participant very surprised as living here yet not speaking Thai I have arranged dozens of viewing in Chonburi from agents adverts in Facebook Marketplace.

Never had any problems, yes sometimes a condo has already been taken but I reply what my budget is and if tget have anything in that price bracket they come back to me. Secure 2 apartments for friends last week.

Regarding thai bank account this can be opened using an agency and getting a resident certificate from immigration once you have filed a TM 30
Loreen ***********
First time hearing about a reservation fee. Two month deposit and month’s rental is a given.
Al**
@Loreen **********
Hey what temple is that in your background pic?
Andreas *********
@Al**
it could be Chichen Itza
Loreen ***********
Al**
@Loreen **********
Cool I've been there are you Asian or Latina?
Andreas *********
@Al**
thatda to intimate a question😅
Andi ***********
I felt like I had no choice but to pay - This is why you were taken advantage of. The real estate guy felt he had no choice but to scam you out of the illegal reservation fee.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
That's true. After all, I'm happy that the scam wasn't bigger than this. Since you don't know the agents name, the business they work for, or anything else that you could track them down with, it would be very easy for them to just run off with your money.
Tamir ***********
Thanks for sharing. Comments are useful too. Good luck and all the best!
Greg ********
I have never ever heard of a 'Reservation" fee. Two months deposit and a month's rent yes. He has had you over with the reservation fee but live and learn. They are also conning you on the fees. It would obviously have been cheaper to pay and agent to open a local bank account in the first place. Live and learn and please do not fall in love with a local lass. You may not be ready :-). Hope you are all settled now
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Adrian ***********
@Greg *******
sometimes they might want part of the deposit to reserve the unit but never heard of paying a reservation fee ontop of the rent and deposit.
Greg ********
@Adrian **********
Exactly. The deposit is the reservation fee.
Luis ******
I only use my Charles Schwab account for ATM withdrawals bc they repay all ATM fees. Hope that helps some people. 🍻
Mark ****
Fidelity cash management account supposedly has ATM fee reimbursements also.
Michael *******
@Luis *****
as far as I know that only helps Americans
Al**
@Luis *****
Have you had any bad luck as far as Charles Schwab closing your account if you live overseas? I've heard stories like that, also heard that it is necessary to open the international version of the Schwab account. I'm preparing for when I move to Thailand.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luis *****
Thank you for sharing this.
Tara ********
Open an online wise account

. You can transfer directly and immediately into thai bank account
Ko *******
You aren’t really prepared yet…
Tim *********
bunch of mistakes you made lol you don't need an agent, walk into the building that interests you talk to the office 🙄 1+1 or 1+2 in rent, is normal... bank fees on both ends are normal too... use wise. basically everything what you listed is your own fault 😆🤷
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know. Walking into a building and trying to view apartments that way is very inconvenient, and time consuming if you wish to look at a lot of condos before making a decision.

In my country there's a website where basically every apartment for rent and their price is listed on. You can contact the owners from there and find an apartment that way. Since Thailand is in many ways a developed country and since people here have internet, I thought that's how it would work here too.
Tim *********
Anonymous participant well they do have that in Thai 😆but i don't see the problem, to search for condos/building online beforehand then go talk to the offices of each building . you're still visiting each place with an agent too 🤷
Ivan ************
Anonymous participant Wise is a good tip, it's cheaper than most banks for transfers and guarantees an exact amount to the receiver, there is no additional fee Thai-side.

It's possible to get a local bank account, just difficult; it. May be worth using an agent.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer You will discover that Thailand is a developed country for some things, but other things are far behind. For instance try to arrange electricity or water paid automatically every month, and see how much paperwork will be involved.
Alessandro *********
@Tim ********
come on man, he's been looking ONLY since 2020
Kevin ********
Use WISE, you can do a bank transfer direct to them in local currency and no fee.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin *******
Thank you for the tip. At the moment I am using Monese, and the fee on my end isn't much. The problem is the fee on the receivers end. Do you know if this fee exists when using Wise? If the account where the transfer is coming from exists outside of Thailand, I feel like this fee will still be there.
Ivan ************
Anonymous participant it doesn't with Wise, the amount you enter in THB is exactly what the receiver gets.

You can actually do it this way with a regular Swift bank transfer as well, there is an option to pre-pay all receiver fees ("OUR" code), but with most regular banks this is expensive. Wise is very inexpensive for transfers.
Kevin ********
Anonymous participant it’s worth looking at. I send money this way to my wife. And she never gets charged as long as receiving amount is correct and as a non international transfer. IE sent in thbt
Sab *****
Anonymous participant i use Revolut and i noticed when i send 5000 baht its free to receive on my Thai bank but when i send 20k my Thai bank cuts off 450 in fees. Not sure whats the threshold, I'm only sending small amounts now to keep it free
Nick *******
@Kevin *******
i second this