Answered2 years ago
What are the challenges of opening a bank account in Thailand as an expat with a DTV visa?
Trying to open bank account at 5 different TRB branches, Here is their response
🔹True digital park
They can’t do it. But I was told to do follow up after 2 weeks as the policy has changed.
🔹Onut Bic C Extra
They asked me about my DTV category “when i said workcation , they said no” but it can be done for those under soft power category. You might need some documents from Muay Thai or Cooking school
🔹Siam Paragon
At first the female staff asked my Visa and Passports. After a few minutes, a man (seems to be higher position) asked my employment contract, i gave it to him then he asked me where do i live. When he knows that i live in the another district, he told me to open at the branch of where i live. So if you live in Pratunam , give it a try
🔹Bangkapi Mall
No , asked for work permit 😅
🔹Headoffice
No , asked for work permit 😅.
DTV and Work permit 😅
So for now i’m looking for an agent who can help me to open TTB / KT or SCB. Your recommendation is appreciated
🔹True digital park
They can’t do it. But I was told to do follow up after 2 weeks as the policy has changed.
🔹Onut Bic C Extra
They asked me about my DTV category “when i said workcation , they said no” but it can be done for those under soft power category. You might need some documents from Muay Thai or Cooking school
🔹Siam Paragon
At first the female staff asked my Visa and Passports. After a few minutes, a man (seems to be higher position) asked my employment contract, i gave it to him then he asked me where do i live. When he knows that i live in the another district, he told me to open at the branch of where i live. So if you live in Pratunam , give it a try
🔹Bangkapi Mall
No , asked for work permit 😅
🔹Headoffice
No , asked for work permit 😅.
DTV and Work permit 😅
So for now i’m looking for an agent who can help me to open TTB / KT or SCB. Your recommendation is appreciated
Answer summary
The post outlines the difficulties the author faced when trying to open a bank account at several branches of TTB, highlighting inconsistent policies and requirements based on visa types. Responses from banks included the need for work permits and specific documentation depending on one's visa status. Comments from other users provided suggestions for alternative banks, the importance of having a long-term visa, and the benefits of using an agent for assistance. Overall, the conversation reflects the complexities expats encounter in navigating Thai banking as it relates to immigration status.
78 repliesnewest first
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Kevin ********
There are various ways to open a bank account.
Correct visa category (long term).
Property Ownership.
Work Visa.
Or Agent which has also become an issue recently. B it maybe still possible.
Correct visa category (long term).
Property Ownership.
Work Visa.
Or Agent which has also become an issue recently. B it maybe still possible.
Werner ************
Basically everyone said no - and to be Thai polite they just gave you excuses to get you to leave…..
Gayeeva ******
Visa & Legal services by ElitePath
Mutchimavadee *****************
I can help you with the Bangkok Bank
Anonymous ******************
Tried to extend yesterday in Hua Hin. They insist on 500,000 baht for at least a month in a Thai bank account.
AllSabai ******
Yes Now more strict.
Up to 1st week of March.. there was a Path.
Now more strick
Up to 1st week of March.. there was a Path.
Now more strick
Al**
My question is what's the advantage of having a Thai bank besides the supposed pay with QR and transferring funds? Doesn't it open you up to tax implications depending on how much you transfer and hold in there? Why not just use a foreign bank that rebates your ATM fees and call it a day? I'm trying to understand the reasoning behind it.
David ********
@Al**
I agree with you. Many years here and no bank account, but some people have strong feelings about getting a bank accountAl**
@David *******
How's life in Thailand? I am looking to move there in a few years.Al**
@David *******
Cool that's how it felt for me too.David ********
@Al**
pretty chill and affordable
Henrik *****
Get a long term visa, which are eligable for getting a bankaccount.
Tourists do not need a Thai Bank account, and DTV is tourist visa.
Tourists do not need a Thai Bank account, and DTV is tourist visa.
Adrian ********
@Henrik ****
Not strictly true, see my comment above. All you need is a proof of residence, both the bank and immigration confirmed that to me ahead of me getting my bank account last week with no questions asked at the bank when providing the correct paperwork
Dom ********
Could’ve saved a lot of time by just using an agent 🙏
Anonymous *************
OP@Dom *******
if you know anyone plz recommendDom ********
Anonymous participant I used one in Pattaya a year ago took about 1 hour with waiting and had no issues ever since
Not sure on any in Bangkok but I imagine there will be plenty
Not sure on any in Bangkok but I imagine there will be plenty
Anonymous ******************
@Dom *******
please can we have less of the 'l did it about x ago'. The rules change all the time and I'd be surprised if anyone opened an account on an MTV visa over a year ago??
Anonymous ******************
Go to head office in Chatuchak. You can open there as long as you are not a US citizen.
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 569 was there yesterday, they said NO
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant shocked
Werner ************
Anonymous participant go the one in Pattaya they will open
Abas ******
Have you tried bangkok bank headquarter near silom?
Tammi *****
@Abas *****
When did you get your account? Was it recent?Anonymous *************
OP@Abas *****
No yet
Dave ********
Did they say which documents you'd need from the Muay Thai school?
Alexander *************
Soft power only legit way. They're fed up with CEOs banging down the doors
Allnew ********
Can help ka.
Sopita *******
@Allnew *******
DM you
James ********
@Allnew *******
as an apparent Agent...what are your fees and when must your fee paid ???Allnew ********
@James *******
Pay at the bank when finishedAllnew ********
James ********
@Allnew *******
*****
Thai baht is your fee to get a bank account open for a DTV Visa holder, tourist visa holder, visa exempt entry holder ??? In Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Phuket??Allnew ********
@James *******
Starting at 13,000 depending on nationality and visa type.James ********
@Allnew *******
again I ask... what is your fee ?
An ********
I tried opening a bank account at all the banks at Big C Onnut 3 weeks ago, but had no luck. BTW, I'm in a cooking class under the Soft Power program.
Aliz ****
genuinely curious as to why a thai bank account is needed... is it to pay for bills? rent? can that be done in other ways? if yes, how? (question is for everyone reading this comment, not just the poster) I'm assuming it's a matter of transferring money into the account details but I may be wrong (not lived there yet but going to soon).
Anna *********
@Aliz ***
to make life easier
Dany ********
@Aliz ***
big sums could just be paid via Wise. QR code usage via TrueMoney. There isnt a big reason for a local bank account… yes it’s a little more convenient and saves a little money, but not much. if you take 30k in one go from the ATM then your cost are actually pretty minimal. no need for a bank account tbh.Aliz ****
@Dany *******
yeah i use Wise a lot. I'll check out True money. Thank you for commenting!Christopher ******
@Aliz ***
I'm not in Thailand all year round and I still need to pay the bills for my condo. It's easy with a Thai bank account, and very difficult or expensive without one.Dany ********
@Christopher *****
you would just use Wise. Same way as literaly everyone transfers money to their own thai bank account.Christopher ******
@Dany *******
only if I give them full access to my bank account, which I won’tDany ********
@Christopher *****
why weeks? Wise usualy takes just minutes 🤷♀️Christopher ******
@Dany *******
Yes, I transfer it in advance to my Thai bank account and it's there when I need it and I can instantly use it, rather than waiting a week for my bills to get paid.
Christopher ******
It also takes like a week to send the money. With my Thai bank account it's almost instant.
Jan **********
@Christopher *****
it’s like a dollar to send something and pretty much free for me because I keep about $20,000 and collect the interest rateChristopher ******
@Jan *********
ExpensiveSam *****
@Christopher *****
How would you pay electricity bills? It would be impossible I think without a Thai bank.
Anonymous ******************
@Sam ****
I pay my electricity bill through the lazada app. There's a 5 baht fee but it allows me to use my foreign credit card. Not many people know thisSam *****
@David *******
Extra effort. I will just pay sitting on my sofa 🙂David ********
@Sam ****
can go to 7-11 and pay it there
Lyle *********
@Aliz ***
you skip the foreign bank charge which is 220 baht, seems small but eventually you’ll start thinking about how you could have used that for breakfast or outings, etc., You can also pay using your phone in most places.Jan **********
@Lyle ********
I got a business checking account in America. No fees for ATMs 🤗
Bunny *****
@Aliz ***
ever heard of scan?Aliz ****
@Bunny ****
is that a company or an app or something??
Felix ******
@Aliz ***
because you have to pay to withdraw money from a non-Thai bank account. Also, you can pay with QR code with the Thai bank account which is everywhere so you don’t need to carry cash.
Anonymous ******************
Btw. Why do you need a Thai bank account?
Paul *******
@Bruno **********
I have Wise but it's not always the best deal. I withdraw money directly from one of my Thai accounts.You can get by with a credit or debit card but at some point, cash is usually needed.Anna *********
Anonymous participant 987 it makes sense if you live there as it makes life easier
Adnan ********
Anonymous participant 987 here we go again....
Sam *****
Anonymous participant 987 Life in Thailand is far easier with a bank account.
Anonymous ******************
@Sam ****
you have to go out of the country every 6 months. Why not bring money in cash during those trips? I think a few thousand dollars is without any duties. You also don't need a bank account for QR codes
Bruno ***********
@Sam ****
15 years here, i still don't have or need one. Wise app works perfectly, you can pay almost everywhere by card or instant transfer, or get cash in THB if neededBruno ***********
@Paul ******
i mostly use grab food and i shop in central, i buy gasoline at the station, so ATM is fine (no extra fees for this). i pay my rental by transfer, in THB, (no extra fees too). This is true that i pay 220 THB for every withdrawl, but i make sure to take 30.000 THB in one time. Also, with Wise, you pay and withdraw directly in THB and you get the best exchange rate. This app offer muuuchhhh better rates than any Thai banks. Check it out yourself, you might be surprised.Paul *******
@Bruno **********
Sadly that is far from true. 50% of merchants will accept cards but you still need cash in some instances and paying 220 Baht + 5 USD / EUR / CHF / AUD + up to 3.5% of the amount withdrawn is a massive amount to be charged just for withdrawing money from a foreign bank account (in a few rare instances, such fees are refunded but not many banks offer this as it costs them too much).Sam *****
Fair enough. I don't carry cash at all. I Prompt Pay everything, or True Money. I pay my utility bills through my bank app from the comfort of my sofa. Everything is easy. I have wise also. I use wise to move money into my Thai bank account.
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 987 it’s more convenient if you have a Thai bank account here.
Rob *******
Anonymous participant 987 Probly not a need but a want. can save money on ATM withdrawel fees
John *******
Anonymous participant 987 because he wants one
Seun **********
@John ******
right! LolJohn *******
You old Dodgers need to understand people won't different Things you demented old F-cks lol
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