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

What are the challenges of opening a bank account in Thailand as an expat with a DTV visa?

Thai Bank AccountDTV VisaVisa RequirementsExpats in ThailandBanking RegulationsSoft Power VisaVisa CategoriesWork PermitAgent AssistanceBank Account Opening Process
Mar 20, 2025
a month ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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
4,506
views
15
likes
151
all likes
78
replies
1
images
34
users
TLDR : 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.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Pelle Eriksson
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...
recently on Facebook
Luca G.
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...
recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Werner ************
Basically everyone said no - and to be Thai polite they just gave you excuses to get you to leave…..
a month ago
Like
Reply
Gayeeva ******
Visa & Legal services by ElitePath
a month ago
Like
Reply
Mutchimavadee *****************
I can help you with the Bangkok Bank
a month ago
Like
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Tried to extend yesterday in Hua Hin. They insist on 500,000 baht for at least a month in a Thai bank account.
a month ago
Like
Reply
AllSabai ******
Yes Now more strict.

Up to 1st week of March.. there was a Path.

Now more strick
a month ago
Like
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
David ********
@Al**
 I agree with you. Many years here and no bank account, but some people have strong feelings about getting a bank account
a month ago
Like
Reply
Al**
@David *******
 How's life in Thailand? I am looking to move there in a few years.
a month ago
Like
Reply
David ********
@Al**
 pretty chill and affordable
a month ago
Like
Reply
Al**
@David *******
 Cool that's how it felt for me too.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Al**
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
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
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Adrian ********
Reply
Dom ********
Could’ve saved a lot of time by just using an agent 🙏
a month ago
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dom *******
 if you know anyone plz recommend
a month ago
Like
Reply
Dom ********
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
a month ago
Like
Reply
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??
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Go to head office in Chatuchak. You can open there as long as you are not a US citizen.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 569 was there yesterday, they said NO
a month ago
Like
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant shocked
a month ago
Like
Reply
Werner ************
Anonymous participant go the one in Pattaya they will open
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Werner ************
Reply
Abas ******
Have you tried bangkok bank headquarter near silom?
a month ago
Like
Reply
Tammi *****
@Abas *****
 When did you get your account? Was it recent?
a month ago
Like
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Abas *****
 No yet
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Dave ********
Did they say which documents you'd need from the Muay Thai school?
a month ago
Like
Reply
Alexander *************
Soft power only legit way. They're fed up with CEOs banging down the doors
a month ago
Like
Reply
Allnew ********
Can help ka.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Sopita *******
@Allnew *******
 DM you
a month ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Allnew *******
 as an apparent Agent...what are your fees and when must your fee paid ???
a month ago
Like
Reply
Allnew ********
@James *******
 Pay at the bank when finished
a month ago
Like
Reply
James ********
@Allnew *******
 again I ask... what is your fee ?
a month ago
Like
Reply
Allnew ********
@James *******
 Starting at 13,000 depending on nationality and visa type.
a month ago
Like
Reply
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??
a month ago
Like
Reply
Allnew ********
@James *******
 Yes, in Bangkok

send a message for details
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Allnew ********
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
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).
a month ago
Like
Reply
Anna *********
@Aliz ***
 to make life easier
a month ago
Like
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Aliz ****
@Dany *******
 yeah i use Wise a lot. I'll check out True money. Thank you for commenting!
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Aliz ****
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Dany ********
@Christopher *****
 you would just use Wise. Same way as literaly everyone transfers money to their own thai bank account.
a month ago
Like
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Dany ********
@Christopher *****
 why weeks? Wise usualy takes just minutes 🤷‍♀️
a month ago
Like
Reply
Christopher ******
@Dany *******
 only if I give them full access to my bank account, which I won’t
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christopher ******
Reply
Jan **********
@Christopher *****
 Can use Wise for that
a month ago
Like
Reply
Christopher ******
It also takes like a week to send the money. With my Thai bank account it's almost instant.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Christopher ******
@Jan *********
 Expensive
a month ago
Like
Reply
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 rate
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jan **********
Reply
Sam *****
@Christopher *****
 How would you pay electricity bills? It would be impossible I think without a Thai bank.
a month ago
Like
Reply
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 this
a month ago
Like
Reply
David ********
@Sam ****
 can go to 7-11 and pay it there
a month ago
Like
Reply
Sam *****
@David *******
 Extra effort. I will just pay sitting on my sofa 🙂
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Sam *****
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Jan **********
@Lyle ********
 I got a business checking account in America. No fees for ATMs 🤗
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jan **********
Reply
Bunny *****
@Aliz ***
 ever heard of scan?
a month ago
Like
Reply
Aliz ****
@Bunny ****
 is that a company or an app or something??
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Aliz ****
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Felix ******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Btw. Why do you need a Thai bank account?
a month ago
Like
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Anna *********
Anonymous participant 987 it makes sense if you live there as it makes life easier
a month ago
Like
Reply
Adnan ********
Anonymous participant 987 here we go again....
a month ago
Like
Reply
Sam *****
Anonymous participant 987 Life in Thailand is far easier with a bank account.
a month ago
Like
Reply
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
a month ago
Like
Reply
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 needed
a month ago
Like
Reply
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).
a month ago
Like
Reply
Bruno ***********
@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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
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.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Sam *****
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 987 it’s more convenient if you have a Thai bank account here.
a month ago
Like
Reply
Rob *******
Anonymous participant 987 Probly not a need but a want. can save money on ATM withdrawel fees
a month ago
Like
Reply
John *******
Anonymous participant 987 because he wants one
a month ago
Like
Reply
Seun **********
@John ******
 right! Lol
a month ago
Like
Reply
John *******
You old Dodgers need to understand people won't different Things you demented old F-cks lol
a month ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
John *******
Reply
Has anyone successfully opened a bank account in Thailand under the DTV visa?
59 comments
a month ago
What are the steps to open a Thai bank account on a DTV?
22 comments
a month ago
What are recent experiences with opening a bank account using a DTV in Thailand?
3 comments
a month ago
Why are banks in Chiang Mai rejecting account openings for DTV visa holders?
26 comments
a month ago
How can DTV visa holders in Thailand open a bank account and pay bills without an employment contract?
45 comments
a month ago
What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa?
51 comments
2 months ago
How can DTV visa holders open a bank account in Thailand if banks are now requiring a payroll account?
44 comments
3 months ago
What are the options for opening a bank account in Thailand on a DTV visa?
3 comments
3 months ago
What documents do I need to open a bank account in Thailand on a DTV visa?
22 comments
3 months ago
Can you open a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa?
20 comments
3 months ago
Why is it difficult to open a Thai bank account on a DTV visa, and what can I do?
53 comments
3 months ago
Why can't I open a bank account with a DTV visa in Thailand?
22 comments
4 months ago
Why can't I open a bank account in Thailand with my DTV visa?
90 comments
5 months ago
Can I open a bank account in Thailand while on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)?
7 comments
5 months ago
Why were Thai banks refusing to open accounts for DTV visa holders in Chiang Mai?
51 comments
6 months ago
How can expats with a DTV visa open a bank account in Thailand?
66 comments
6 months ago
What is the best way for an expat on a DTV visa to open a bank account in Thailand?
19 comments
6 months ago
Why are DTV visa holders having trouble opening bank accounts in Thailand?
46 comments
6 months ago
How can I open a bank account in Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa without a work permit?
29 comments
6 months ago
How can I successfully open a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa?
51 comments
6 months ago
Can DTV visa holders open bank accounts in Thailand?
8 comments
7 months ago
Why won't Thai banks open accounts for DTV visa holders?
197 comments
7 months ago
Can you open a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa?
45 comments
7 months ago
What are the current requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand for expats on a TR visa?
78 comments
2 years ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?
7 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?
9 comments
a month ago
What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?
21 comments
a month ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?
16 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?
8 comments
a month ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.