Answereda year ago
What should expats in Thailand know about opening bank accounts after recent arrests related to a scam?
Thai police have arrested 11 individuals, including four bank employees in Pattaya, for assisting 15 Chinese nationals in opening bank accounts with forged documents. Over 118 million baht was laundered through these accounts before the suspects left Thailand. Authorities have since frozen the accounts and linked the case to a larger scam network responsible for over 2.2 billion baht in damages.
According to our government sources, DTV visa holders may face increased difficulty opening bank accounts in the future.
Furthermore, accounts opened at the Bangkok Bank Pattaya branch are likely to come under scrutiny, and any foreigners found using accounts opened through agents connected to the arrested individuals may be subject to police interrogation.
At this time, we strongly advise individuals seeking to open a bank account in Thailand to use only trustworthy agents with no business ties to Chinese nationals.
Such agents are likely to be involved with Chinese criminals and scammers. When choosing someone to help you, make sure it’s an agent you can truly trust—not just a random person who DMs you on the internet.
According to our government sources, DTV visa holders may face increased difficulty opening bank accounts in the future.
Furthermore, accounts opened at the Bangkok Bank Pattaya branch are likely to come under scrutiny, and any foreigners found using accounts opened through agents connected to the arrested individuals may be subject to police interrogation.
At this time, we strongly advise individuals seeking to open a bank account in Thailand to use only trustworthy agents with no business ties to Chinese nationals.
Such agents are likely to be involved with Chinese criminals and scammers. When choosing someone to help you, make sure it’s an agent you can truly trust—not just a random person who DMs you on the internet.
Answer summary
Recent arrests of 11 individuals, including bank employees in Pattaya, for aiding Chinese nationals in opening bank accounts with forged documents, have raised concerns about the difficulties foreigners, particularly DTV visa holders, may face in opening bank accounts in Thailand. It is advised to use only trustworthy agents without ties to Chinese nationals, as many are involved in scams. Foreigners opening accounts at the Bangkok Bank Pattaya branch may also be scrutinized, leading to potential police interrogations. The community has highlighted the need for legitimate methods of account opening without relying on agents, emphasizing that navigating the banking landscape in Thailand is becoming increasingly challenging.
32 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
마리오 ***
> use only trustworthy agents with no business ties to Chinese nationals
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
Abas ******
thailand laws for foreigners is like they compell foreigners to go to agents and then those agents pay some money to the immigration officers and then everything is done quickly. but they never solve the issue that why on dtv a foreigner can not open bank account. they don't look to it so that foreigners open it by themselves in bank in genuine way
Lachlan **********
🫠
Anonymous ******************
A lot of people still don’t understand that using an agent often means there’s something shady going on, it’s never a long-term solution. When two, three, or even four banks say no, that’s a definite NO. There’s always a valid reason behind it, even if they’re not always clear about it. Welcome to Thailand! Yes, you can definitely hold your crystal ball to choose the "safest of the safest" agents... Until someone decides to crackdown on it as well.
Jonas *************
How about you write an article about how does a foreigner open a bank account to get the retirement extension which requires the transfer of 800k?
As of this moment only Bank of Bank seems to be able to do it but with all the new rules they seem to be refusing it?
The problem in the first place seems to be able to use an agent to open accounts which otherwise shouldn't be open by the bank?
But implies the corrupt system already. Maybe start in that end?
As of this moment only Bank of Bank seems to be able to do it but with all the new rules they seem to be refusing it?
The problem in the first place seems to be able to use an agent to open accounts which otherwise shouldn't be open by the bank?
But implies the corrupt system already. Maybe start in that end?
Greg ********
I have account at this branch. Over 7 years now. It was well known for opening accounts.
Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
me too, opened 3 years ago. Doubt we have anything to worry aboutGreg ********
Anonymous participant 720 I am not expecting any issue. I have correct visa, linked to passport and SIM. It is not my main account but works fine everywhere
Flemming *******
Nu kunne imi.myndighederne jo starte med at gøre det nemmere selv at åbne en konto, uden brug af agenter..... Måske skal der oplyses hvis der bruges agenter, og navn på agenten!!! Men med den korruption der er i Thailand, ja tro det helt op i systemet, kan det være svært at komme til livs!!! Man er nød til at starte med "toppen"!!!!
Sapir **********
So the advice is to open a bank account through an agent, but not a Chinese agent....
Got it!
Got it!
Anonymous ******************
@Sapir *********
Yeah as they have "the safest ones" until someone will decide to crackdown on these as well. Thailand...
จอห์นนี่ *******
When choosing a scammer, make sure it is a scammer you trust.
Stéfan ********
In all seriousness, if I were a criminal planning similar scams in Thailand, I’d obviously be using the elite visa.
Shelby **********
Anonymous ******************
@Stéfan *******
Top tier ones yes. But their visible slaves will go on the easiest and cheapest visa... They keep making rules stricter and stricter for the ED (which is anyway far more difficult to obtain and only for 1 year)... What's left then 😁?
Jonathan ***********
Surprise surprise! Not being able to open a bank account yourself, but able to do it with help of an agent, means something’s off. Being happy that you’re able to do it anyway is naivety that can backfire real bad.
Anonymous ******************
@Jonathan **********
Exactly
John *********
Nothing good comes out of Pattaya, the most seedy, tacky place in Thailand, full of mostly undesirables 🤦🏻♀️
Terry *******
Insatiable appetite for money, can’t help themselves, they’ll take from anyone inc family, friends,their own country!
Georgijus ************
That’s why you use Wise and your cards from your home country bank 🏦 🙂 instead of pay someone to get local QR code with shady account to make payments at
****
😂
Vanda **********
@Georgijus ***********
you can’t make QR payments at 711 🤣
Elías ********
@Vanda *********
you can, I always do. They accept 6 different QR companies, including TrueMoney and Alipay (the one I use).
Klaus *********
@Vanda *********
Of course it’s possible with True Money App
Anonymous ******************
@Nikki ********
Google TAGTHAI.. Cheers
Nikki *********
@Klaus ********
Thank you 🙏Klaus *********
@Nikki ********
The visa doesn’t matter. But I remember that I registered with my Thai Driver License. So best just download the App and try. Sometimes they change the rules anyway 😀
Chris *********
@Vanda *********
actually many ****
's offer promptpay payments now, but not all locationsNikki *********
@Klaus ********
can i possibly use true if i am currently on a tourist visa?Vanda **********
@Klaus ********
thanks, the OP referred to Thai bank accounts in relation to QR codes, Anyone can use the True money app and it doesn’t require a Thai bank or Thai ID
Arnold *****
Phew. Good thing i'm not a chinese national as a Chinese person .
David ********
Why would you use an agent they are all scammers bribing immagration and bank employees how else do you get a bank account or visa without even going in person same as the driver's licence. Better to do it yourself save money and it is legitimate
Anonymous ******************
Another agent fearmongering
Activity
25 joined25
people
Related
25What are the requirements to open a bank account in Thailand for expats?
1.3k101610d
What is the best visa option for an expatriate working offshore and living part-time in Thailand?
2.2k714mo
What is the process for extending a DTV visa in Thailand, and what should I be aware of during the application?
18.6k1651995mo
What are safe options for DTV visa holders when transferring money to buy a condo in Thailand?
2.1k10395mo
Why do DTV holders want to open a bank account in Thailand?
26.8k2402835mo
How will the upcoming changes to Wise in Thailand affect DTV holders?
11.7k991356mo
Why are DTV holders struggling to maintain Thai bank accounts?
9.4k691281y
Why are foreigners considered low value customers by Bangkok Bank?
5k231001y
How can someone on a DTV visa access banking services in Thailand?
3.7k30361y
What are the key requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand with a Non-O visa?
4.7k41401y
What are the current updates on opening bank accounts with a DTV visa in Thailand after recent regulations?
2.2k14241y
How can I resolve my locked Bangkok Bank account after two weeks with no feedback?
7.4k59741y
Should I switch from a DTV visa to a work permit through an Employer of Record in Thailand?
2.5k19221y
How can a Digital Nomad with a DTV Visa open a bank account in Thailand?
3.6k30301y
What important updates should DTV visa holders know about Thai bank account policies as of May 2025?
5.3k34671y
Can I open a joint bank account in Thailand with my Thai girlfriend while on a DTV visa?
2.5k15101y
What are the requirements for opening a bank account in Thailand with a DTV visa?
6.8k51742y
Can I open a bank account with TTB using a DTV Visa without a work permit?
1.8k1392y
What are the tax implications for DTV visa holders in Thailand?
16.4k1361832y
What are the requirements and challenges for extending a DTV visa in Thailand, and is a border run a better option?
20.3k1283192y
Can foreigners holding a DTV Visa open bank accounts in Bangkok?
2.4k21122y
Why can't I open a bank account with a DTV visa in Thailand?
6.5k22212y
What is the process for leasing a car in Thailand as a foreigner on a DTV visa?
1.6k342y
Can I open a Thai bank account with a DTV visa, or how can I use digital payments without one?
4.8k45212y
Why are DTV visa holders having trouble opening bank accounts in Thailand?
2.8k18282y
Resources
Need help with your DTV visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served