Answered10 days ago
What are the requirements to open a bank account in Thailand for expats?
Anyone been able to open a bank account recently? Any tips?
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the challenges of opening a bank account in Thailand as an expat, particularly related to the type of visa held. Users mention that with a Non-O visa, it is possible to open a bank account, while those with a DTV (long-term tourist) visa might face difficulties. There are also comments about the necessity of a business visa and work permit in some cases, as well as anecdotes about the banking experience tied to loans.
66 repliesnewest first
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Truth *******
Once you truly understand Thailand (and I’m not here to teach you) all these questions magically disappear.
Brian *********
cannot open bank account with a DTV visa
Han ********
Yeah I bought a car. Then banks are falling over each other to sell you a loan. Which requires them to open a bank account for you so you might pay them back.
Dust ******
************************
Locked ********
Yes
Roy *********
Need a business visa and work permit for that my friend.
Lance *****
It’s up to you whether you want to tip after opening your bank account. I didn’t. They don’t really tip here in Thailand.
Jon ******
Dtv no bank account dtv is long trem tourist visa
Reed **********
I opened one in China. It allowed THB accounts. I get alipay which works at 7 11. I think there's a way to get it to work with prompt pay too. Maybe useful if you don't for some reason have a home account somewhere else.
Reed **********
Well the thb account was actually HSBC HK. iCbc in china will also open you an account though
HappyOct********
I did with Non O visa and married to Thai
Anonymous ******************
If I have a DTV visa and I buy an apartment, and then I need to deposit money into a Thai bank account to pay for utility bills, will that be possible?
David ********
I opened one two weeks ago but believe me without the correct visa you have no chance. They even thought I wasn’t eligible on a non o at first.
Christian ********
Even if, the account might be blocked then. Better use a DBS account in Singapore or similar solution based on your needs.
Henrik *****
Wrong visa if a Thai bankaccount is paramount.
Tourists don’t need a bankaccount.
Tourists don’t need a bankaccount.
Michael ********
Yes why not
If you have the right Visa
If you have the right Visa
DTV ******
Yes try Bank of Narnia or Bank of Rivendale.
Shin ******
If you do open it, it may get frozen and that's a real headache with multiple layers. Try Wise, Moreta pay or other apps!🤷🏾♀️
Alain ***********
Even if you try and open it through an agent you will probably get it frozen in six months or a year
Anonymous ******************
I don’t understand. It has been said officially-not possible on DTV visa. Let’s say you find an agent who says he will get through. Why would you allocate your money on illegally obtained bank account? No guarantees you will be able to use it, can be frozen, money can be detained
Syed *****************
Why account ? Prohibited
David ************
Simply guys if your on a DTV you can't get a bank account, even if you do it can be closed at anytime.
The two options are :
True money wallet at 7-11 - qr pay
K bank tourist app with wr payment
Just let everyone putting to bed a DtV can ever get you a bank account. Mad if you do. Just get another visa
The two options are :
True money wallet at 7-11 - qr pay
K bank tourist app with wr payment
Just let everyone putting to bed a DtV can ever get you a bank account. Mad if you do. Just get another visa
Krystian ******
Agent can
David ************
@Krystian *****
until the bank audits and closes
DTV ******
@David ***********
correct.
Jason *******
Don’t you need a visa to open a bank account and a bank account to get a visa
Marianne ********
@Jason ******
No. You do not need a Thai bank account to get a visa.
Expat******
@Marianne *******
a DTV that is, other types you do.Marianne ********
Expatsiam✈️ No.
Only if you want to get the visa inside of Thailand.
Only if you want to get the visa inside of Thailand.
Knowledgea***********
Just go bank to bank till one accepts
LavenderD*********
Impossible. They shut that down a while ago. Use truemoney and unlock advanced features
Lucky *****
I believe you can with agent
I was on tourist visa 5 years ago and opened in Bangkok bank using an agent in Pattaya
I was on tourist visa 5 years ago and opened in Bangkok bank using an agent in Pattaya
Marianne ********
@Lucky ****
These days agents don't do it unless it is part of a visa/extension of stay package that requires a bank account.
Mareen ********
@Marianne *******
not correct! I opened one too with an agentMarianne ********
@Mareen *******
and when was this?Mareen ********
@Urs *******
visa exception
Urs ********
@Mareen *******
what Type of Visa?
Greg ********
@Mareen *******
When, where and how much?
Greg ******
@Lucky ****
It was five years ago and unfortunately Bangkok Bank is now the toughest of all banks when it comes to DTV holders.
Kieran *******
@Lucky ****
5 years ago eh? Well i suspect nothings changed since then 😬Lucky *****
@Kieran ******
I renewed my atm card using my tourist visa before few months on Pattaya klang branch and nobody said anything .
Anonymous ******************
Try Krungthai
Elías ********
What do you mean? 🤷🏻
Knowledgea***********
@Elías *******
bank account in Thailand . It’s a place where you put your money😂
Phil ******
@Bharath ********
get a longer term Visa such as NON O Jor NON B or EdElías ********
@Phil *****
Those visas aren't issued for 5 years at a time, unlike the DTV, so definitely not a "longer" term 👀
Unforgettabl*************
@Elías *******
The DTV is just a protracted METV. Not to mention that visa validity ≠ length of stay. A Non-Immigrant O or B visa may only be valid for 90 days but each extension of stay is a year long so people can and do live in Thailand many times over the length that a DTV is valid.
Luit *****************
@Elías *******
The longer term is defined by the period of stay you can have in Thailand, not the validity of the visa.180 days just is not considered as long.
Phil ******
@Elías *******
BUT the DTV is classified as a tourist visa and holders cannot open a bank account!"The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) as a long-term multi-entry visa valid for 5 years (granting up to 180 days per entry), but it is often administratively or functionally categorized or treated like a tourist/non-immigrant-adjacent status by many commercial institutions, which creates major hurdles for opening a local bank account."
From MFA
Marianne ********
@Elías *******
But they are not considered a tourist visa, like the DTV is.Marianne ********
With the DTV?
No chance.
No chance.
André ******
@Marianne *******
it should be possible if you are a thai tax resident and have a residence certificate.....Marianne ********
@André *****
The DTV is a tourist visa. People with tourist visas are not eligible for bank accounts.
André ******
@Marianne *******
i believe Thailands biggest worry is the misuse of the visa by not actually having an imcome from abroad, but in stead working illegally in Thailand I am talking about DTV holders staying more than 180 days in a calender year
Marianne ********
@André *****
That's a silly suggestion. The DTV is a visa to allow for remote work while spending time in Thailand, as a tourist. Not to lock people into the Thai economy.
It also doesn't have set income requirement, so why would they monitor that?
André ******
@Marianne *******
i understand now. But it would definately make it easier for thai authorities to monitor the issued DTV's (remote work) if they made it mandatory to use a thai bank for the foreign work incomeMarianne ********
@André *****
No need for a bank account to pay tax either, so they are not connected at all.André ******
@Marianne *******
ok I made a mistake then. I thought that thai tax residency would qualify you for an bank account. Maybe you could get lucky with a branch, but nothing you should expect......krazye******
@Marianne *******
small chance but not impossible. If you find a branch that allowes youDTV ******
krazyeyez999 0.001% chance and then 99.999% chance it will be closed after any audit or updating your information at the branch.
krazye******
BoldRhino8611 in 2025 when tourists weren't allowed to open accounts anymore I lost my bank card and they gave me a new card on visa exemption
krazye******
BoldRhino8611 not 100% sure at all. My account was opened in 2022 and they didn't freeze it until now. Knock on wood.
BoldRh*******
krazyeyez999 Just wait. Your turn is coming soon. Your bank account is going to be closed. 100%.
David ********
krazyeyez999 there is no chance, if you opened one on a dtv it wasn’t recently. Bangkok bank updated instructions to all banks two months ago. At some point they’ll close your account
Marianne ********
krazyeyez999 It's happened to plenty of others.
krazye******
DTV Dude I call BS. I updated my account and it didn't get locked down
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