Answereda year ago
What should I do if my Bangkok Bank account is being closed due to my DTV visa status?
I didn’t think it would happen to me, but it happened to me! My Bangkok Bank bank account, opened about a year ago, is going away. I opened it on a DTV visa with my girlfriend at the time who is a businesswoman who vouched for me, and I’ve been using it ever since for day to day use. They called me into the branch and said sorry, and that I could keep it for 30 days until I switched visas, or otherwise they would have to close the account. They also said they were going back 6 years closing accounts! So if you think you’re safe because you’ve made it this long, sadly, I don’t think you are. So start planning now, as your time will probably come!
Answer summary
The account holder experienced the closure of their Bangkok Bank account due to switching to a DTV visa, which led the bank to re-evaluate their eligibility. The bank is reportedly closing accounts linked to certain visa types, specifically targeting those with DTV visas. Other users shared their experiences, suggesting ways to manage banking under similar circumstances, including advice on how to avoid account closure by not disclosing visa updates. The conversations highlighted the strict banking regulations in Thailand related to visa statuses.
65 repliesnewest first
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Ian **********
It is always Bangkok Bank because they were the ones who opened illegal accounts via agents
Tommy ********
no work permit no bank
Anonymous ******************
As long as you dont update them your DTV Visa. You ara safe. When you go to bank for update your data, just give passport. I updated face data and phone data without tell anything about visa. All clear and i can use until now.
Once you talk and show your DTV. You are a dead man. DTV cant be a mandatory documents to open a bank account.
Once you talk and show your DTV. You are a dead man. DTV cant be a mandatory documents to open a bank account.
Quincy *******
I was told for years by my friends to get a bank account in Thailand just so I can scan payments.
Ignoring their pleas has me feeling like this right now while their money is in limbo and mine is safe.
Ignoring their pleas has me feeling like this right now while their money is in limbo and mine is safe.
Anonymous ******************
Look my post I said it already every detail this year
*********
after that 2023 etc … people laughed about me . Now you taste it by yourselfAnonymous ******************
Anonymer Teilnehmer 804 Greg where Are you sheep trash talker Mr know everything ? Still laughing especially about the wef line 🤣?
Anonymous ******************
DTV is a tourist visa, as soon as you move to it you're considered as such. If you need better, then go for right visa and not the cheapest available one.
Anonymous ******************
Can't open a bank account on DTV. This isn't a scheme from the government. They're cracking down on illegal bank accounts for people that are not fully retired or contribute to the country in some way. Many countries do this
Stefan ******
Anonymous participant 792 what weird take is that? btw spending and paying vat on items is a massive contribution, in tax and in the economy.
Anonymous ******************
Where in Thailand is this branch?
Jesper *******
Just curious.....for someone who had long term visa (acct opened with) but switch to DTV....what will happen?
Anonymous ******************
@Jesper ******
I assume they won’t know you’ve changed to DTV. Unless you tell them, or they ask for an updates say if you go into change mobile number etc
John *********
They giveth..and they takewayeth 🤷🏾♀️ Welcome to Thailand, it’s Thai logic, completely different to western logic
Maksym ***********
@John ********
did you tried to open bank account in germany with tourist visa?Stefan ******
@Maksym **********
i have accounts in 3 countries famous for banking while on tourist visa, one even completely remotely by just sending notarized docs.John *********
@Maksym **********
I had mine since the 90’sJohn *********
@Maksym **********
I have my bank account since 90’s I really feel Thai banks should allow DTV holders to hold a basic savings account with visa debit card, online banking linked to your Thai mob, if they have already vetted you for DTV why not, obviously if you start using the account for other activities with suspicious large in/out transactions they could easily freeze your account.
For the vast number of law abiding customers it’s a useful way to pay for local stuff. Of course some DTV holders might prefer to use wise etc for some payments
Maksym ***********
@John ********
try to open it now without permanent residency
Anonymous ******************
@John ********
and are we still able to do it now in Germany with a tourist visa?Anonymous ******************
Only bkk bank yes, other banks are safe.
Scott **********
Anonymous participant 173 not true . It’s now regulation for all banks so just a matter of time
Anonymous ******************
@Scott *********
there is no actual directive regarding "all banks and all accounts" so let's stick to the facts, zero evidence of them going through all and imagine the amount of resources and time needed to check 700,000 foreign accounts? By the time they even get there we all will die of old ageSean *******
@Mark *******
I'll be on a retirement visa by the time they check my account 😆Sean *******
@Mark *******
I bought a condo in April so I'll definitely be fine.Mark ********
@Sean ******
If you have the proper visa correct ✅Mark ********
Anonymous participant 173 Not so. My drinking buddy switched to DTV about six months ago from non-immigrant was instructed to bring his passport into the bank so they could see his visa. His account was closed immediately and he was handed 400k in cash. This is SCB. They're all doing the same thing now. No more accounts for tourists
Paul ********
Here's a data point. I opened my BKK bank account on a non-o retirement visa back in 2021. I switched to the DTV last July. My BKK Bank card recently expired so I had to go get a new one. No issues getting the new card on the DTV. They actually took photos of every page in my passport and sent the request to "head office". A week later I had the new card. This was in CM.
Paul ********
@Sean ******
Yeah, I pulled some cash out then locked it and messaged them. Heading to the bank in the am to hopefully get a new one.Sean *******
@Paul *******
Freeze it in the app and only unfreeze when using it.Paul ********
Ironically I woke up this morning to a fraudulent attempt to make a payment to Amazon Services on my BKK bank debit card which was luckily declined, likely by their security algorithms. So I'll be getting another debit card soon.... PITA. It's only been used with PromptPay, ATM withdrawals and transfers for rent. So be aware, if you do manage to get a bank account this is very common here.
Anonymous ******************
@Mark *******
interesting but there might be more to the story, perhaps some illegal transfers or shady schemes, I got plenty of friends going to the banks as of now, holding DTVs and tourist stamps/visas, who had opened accounts while having a Work permit and Non-b years prior, they're all fine and got access to the bank servicesMark ********
Anonymous participant 173 I hope for their sakes it stays the same, although I doubt it very much. Whichever way you spin it, banks are no longer supporting tourists. It'll take a while, but they'll rip through them
Luc *********
Participant anonyme 173 not for long anymore
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 173 Really? That's why Kasikorn has issued new criteria specifically excluding tourist visas?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 374 I meant for opening. If you had opened with non b a while ago you're fine, kasikorn, krungsri? Scb, etc
Anonymous ******************
@Mark *******
indeed the experience of a drink buddy that is one trustworthy source 😂 and yes, their days for foreign bank accounts are indeed numbered after all the recent scandals, I'm simply amused by the fearmongers who pretend having the expertise regarding Thai banking system. If you want to believe all falang accounts will be locked in the next few months, then okay .. but this view does not make sense on so many levels that it's ludicrous and warrants a responseMark ********
@Sean ******
It's all good! It takes a while for banks to comb through their accounts, but don't be surprised to get a call in the near futureMark ********
Anonymous participant 173 As I've said before, if you're more comfortable believing you are "safe" that's fine, it's totally your prerogative. I'm only going on the experiences of people I know personally, and they were not "safe" by a longshot
Sean *******
Anonymous participant 173 Agreed. My KTB account is working fine and they've known I'm on a DTV since March.
Anonymous ******************
@Mark *******
That is again whataboutism and abstract thoughts on the matter, I'm not upset in any way, just pointing out speculation and sharing actual firsthand experience, you're entitled to your opinion sure, Also, presenting passport does not make them check your visa status and this is highly unlikely to be implemented, it's merely for identification, Tip: You can actually use your driver's license in the bank instead and for domestic flights as wellMark ********
Anonymous participant 173 Banks will often call customers in under the KYC rules to verify address etc. Any time a foreigner does any business with the bank they are required to present their passport. I know people directly affected by this, so that is substance for me. It doesn't affect me as I have a proper visa, I'm simply pointing out my experience in this area. You are totally free to believe exactly what you want, it really doesn't bother me. It appears to be upsetting you, so perhaps refrain from commenting
Anonymous ******************
@Mark *******
we will see but as of now there is no substance to your claims whatsoever, what matters most is your visa at the moment of gaining the account. Why would a bank track your visa status? And even if it did, literally anyone can apply for an english teacher non-b here and in a couple of months get as many bank accounts as they wish to later hop on tourists visa again, how and why would a bank concern itself with all that?😊Peter ***********
@Paul *******
No. I've thought about it over the last year, but it appears the DTV has become a very "difficult" visa which may see some significant changes in the next year. If the Immigration Minister gets in the ear of the PM, we could well see the DTV being limited to 180 days in any year (which I think was the original plan), and other significant changes. I'll be switching to LTR next year when my current extension finishesPaul ********
@Peter **********
Are you considering switching to the DTV?Peter ***********
Anonymous participant 173 Bangkok Bank works well for its 17 million customers, of which I'm one, and a very satisfied one. I'm sure I'm not the only foreigner who is happy with the service
Mark ********
Anonymous participant 173 Bangkok Bank is the largest bank in Thailand, and one of the largest in SE Asia. I hardly think "their days are numbered"! 😂😂
Mark ********
Anonymous participant 173 Actually you're missing the point. It depends on your current visa status. That's why DTV holders who were previously on non-O visas are being advised their accounts will be closed. You're correct, it's only tourists who will be affected, including DTV holders
Anonymous ******************
@Mark *******
You might be missing the point. If you met the requirements to legally open the account it will remain active as in most countries.Tourists will get theirs suspended. lots of ridiculous fear mongering going on here.Anonymous ******************
@Peter ********
Bangkok bank is out of the question of course... We are talking about reputable banks with no bad publicity; as for Bangkok bank their days seem to be numbered anyways as they were made the scapegoatMark ********
Anonymous participant 173 He's actually correct. It'll take a while as it's a long process, but I'd say within a year there will be no tourists with bank accounts (all banks) in Thailand. The writing is clearly on the wall which way this is going
Peter ***********
Anonymous participant 173 It's not "what I want to believe" - it's what is. Bangkok Bank is checking all accounts, but it takes time. I was summoned to my branch about six months ago, had to show passport, phone account and current lease. I'm on non-O retirement extension so I ticked the boxes. Others are not so fortunate. I will reiterate, if you're happy and you think everything is good for you, you have nothing to be concerned about do you? 👍👍
Anonymous ******************
@Peter ********
seems like you are the one wanting to believe the opposite. It's unfortunate for some newcomers as those rules are being applied yet the banks are highly unlikely to crackdown on and launch inquiries into 10+ years bank accounts for many reasons, one of them being it's unrelated to illegal DTV-agent schemes or the scam-mule accounts. To be flagged you'd need to regularly transfer literal millionsPeter ***********
Anonymous participant 173 Good for you! Your time will come! If you're on a tourist visa your account will be frozen in due course. But yep, if you're happy everything is ok, then that's good for you! 👍👍👍
Anonymous ******************
@Peter **********
I don't wish to believe anything, I talked to the bank representatives and know what's happening. The reason people are summoned is because their grounds for obtaining a bank account weren't valid in the first place. If you got a history with a bank spanning for years and your visa type was proper, they will not close it down. I currently hold accounts in 4 major Thai banks and recently returned here on a tourist stamp, went to the bank and got my card re-issued ( It's been inactive for quite a while and expired). zero questions asked, apps also working as usualPeter ***********
Anonymous participant 173 If you wish to believe that, it's entirely your prerogative, but there's a reason that when people are being summoned to their bank branch, the bank wants to see your CURRENT visa. I know one person personally who has been given three months to either wrap up their account OR obtain a non-immigrant visa. Bank policy has changed since the money-laundering fiasco, and no bank now wants accounts on their books held by tourists
Anonymous ******************
@Peter **********
BS, what matters is what Visa type you HAD when you opened, (except for Bkk bank); if it has been opened with a shady agent then no surprise, if you worked legally at the moment of opening you got nothing to worry aboutPeter ***********
Anonymous participant 173 It depends on what visa you're on NOW, not when you opened. Many who have switched to DTV from non-immigrant visas are having their accounts closed
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 173
Yes for now . But all Other banks are going to start implementing the Bank of Thailand new regulations next month.
Yes for now . But all Other banks are going to start implementing the Bank of Thailand new regulations next month.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 749 if your accounts have been opened with a proper visa a long time ago you got nothing to worry about, if its BKk bank or others opened with a tourist visa or via an agent - you'll get it closed down, simple as that
Anonymous ******************
At least they gave you 30 days. Closed mine with out even saying anything as I sat in front of her.
Lincoln ******
Anonymous participant 618 me too
Anonymous ******************
@Lincoln *****
she wasn’t the manager and just walked away closed it and gave me my funds. I called the manager a few days later and she said it was too late to do anything. What’s next, revocation of drivers license ??? lolMark ********
Anonymous participant 618 There's nothing stopping a tourist having the temporary 2-year licence, you just won't be able to get the 5-year licence in the future, but that's no big deal
Lincoln ******
Anonymous participant 618 exactly the same thing happened to me. They didn’t offer me ANY solution or give me a cooling period. Just closed it, barely spoke to me and handed me all my cash. In and out in under 10 minutes. It was CRAZY. Took me weeks to understand why it even happened!
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