Answereda year ago
Which banks in Thailand still allow foreigners with DTV visas to open bank accounts?
I have a DTV visa - before that I opened a bank account at Bangkok Bank using my previous visa - now they’re slowly closing accounts for foreigners and seem to only want wealthy clients - I’d really appreciate your advice on which bank still allows foreigners to open an account - having one here is important and very convenient for me.
Answer summary
The discussion addresses the challenges foreign nationals, especially those with DTV visas, face in opening bank accounts in Thailand. Currently, banks like Bangkok Bank are tightening regulations and may close accounts for those perceived as risks, regardless of their financial status. Some users suggest other banks like Krungsri or TTB, but there is a consensus that new policies are causing confusion and making it difficult for foreigners, particularly those on non-wealthy visa types, to maintain or open new accounts. Overall, there is uncertainty surrounding the banking situation for foreigners, with many urging others to wait for clearer direction.
53 repliesnewest first
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Anna *********
Even Bangkok bank won't open an account based on DTV these days and there are no others that will. Chances are if you are not laundering money or other suspicious activity within your account you will be fine
Andrew ********
The banks are closing accounts for everyone (not just foreigners) if the account looks like it is being used as a mule account for crime. The trigger is multiple millions or hundreds of millions of baht per transaction, or non use.
I am thinking of getting a DTV, because my 800k earns about 1500 baht a year in interest on retirement Visa. But I loan money to a Thai condo flipper and could get 90,000 a year back on that 800k if I only had to show it once in 5 years on a DTV. So I am going to go and ask the bank about my particular situation in the next few days. The option to ask the bank is available to everyone and will probably produce more accurate results than asking for other people's guesses on Facebook
I am thinking of getting a DTV, because my 800k earns about 1500 baht a year in interest on retirement Visa. But I loan money to a Thai condo flipper and could get 90,000 a year back on that 800k if I only had to show it once in 5 years on a DTV. So I am going to go and ask the bank about my particular situation in the next few days. The option to ask the bank is available to everyone and will probably produce more accurate results than asking for other people's guesses on Facebook
Pv ******
I am working work visa my bank freeze here thailand
Jay **********
@Pv *****
what visa were you on when you opened it?
마리오 ***
Just wait and see, no need to panic.
Brandon ************
There are new Thai regulations that state that banks are now responsible to cover any fraud or scam losses. Because of this, banks are no longer taking any risks at all. They will not open accounts for any tourists or anyone else they find might present any risk at all.
Anonymous ******************
@Brandon ***********
Correct. 👌
Dana *******
They are not closing accounts, provided your SIM card's name matches your account name. I opened mine at Bangkok Bank around 10 years ago, funds were always transfered from my Swiss account. Clean clear...
Robert ***********
@Dana ******
It depends on the visaAnna *********
@Dana ******
Phone numbers etc are to allow mobile bankingGreg ********
@Anna ********
People are mixing up the 2 issues 1) The mobile banking requirements with Sim tied to passport to account 2) Actually having an account
Jack *******
@Greg *******
sheeple ? Never. The mobile number is trivial compared to: no real visa: no honey 😅Anna *********
yup people are very easily confused 😀
Greg ********
@Dana ******
Two different things here 1) for Mobile banking they want to see SIM tied to passport/ID to your account 2) These reports today are about having the correct visa to have an account. Do not conflate the two. One is for mobile banking and the othger about having an account.Dana *******
@Greg *******
"have an account", you mean open an account or just be an account holder since long time ago...Greg ********
@Dana ******
We will have to wait and see how this pans out. Reports are talking about accounts already open. Not new accounts.Dana *******
@Greg *******
what about those who opened on a long term visa long time ago, their sim matches the ID of the account, and the person suddenly needs to go back home for family reasons and loses his Non-O. Do the bank block the account ?Jack *******
@Dana ******
yes, that’s what’s happening. They are “closing” these types of accounts.Greg ********
@Dana ******
As for those on a "O" and it expires etc no idea. They do have the visa dates though but if they will become checking and closing or freezing is anybodies guess. Depends what Bank of Thailand or bank HQ says in any guidance. I was on a B with WP and so got services only open to thos with WP. I have been on O retirement for 2 years. I still get the same serives as though on a WP. Seems they are not checking too closely. They know I am on retirement now.
Oleksandra **********
With DTV right now - honestly, probably nowhere. I am still on ED visa, and my school told the students that even accounts on ED visas might be closed soon. It is not just Bangkok Bank. My school has been opening accounts for the students in Krungthai too, and it seems that they might face the same problem in the near future.
My personal opinion - everything in Thailand is temporary and has a tendency to change in a very chaotic way. So imo, we need to wait. Even if they indeed close the accounts, I bet in 6 months the wind will change the direction once again.
My personal opinion - everything in Thailand is temporary and has a tendency to change in a very chaotic way. So imo, we need to wait. Even if they indeed close the accounts, I bet in 6 months the wind will change the direction once again.
Paul *******
@Oleksandra *********
I don't think that banks will suddenly reopen accounts for tourists or others in 6 months time. You've got that completely wrong. Once a certain large scale crackdown is underway and policies change it stays that way permanently.It's like the volunteer visas that agents used to be able to obtain. Nowadays, they're gone. No agent can assist in getting one anymore. You can apply for a volunteer visa but it must be done properly through a legitimate sponsor and through a Thai embassy or consulate abroad.
20-25 years ago, they were stamping passports out of Thailand and back in, without the holder being present. That practice occurred as late as 2008 but sometime after that it ended, permanently. You now have to go in person.
Sure, corruption is still a big thing in Thailand and there's still a lot of shady business going on but they're changing, so don't expect the bank account situation to return to normal because it won't.
Raymond ********
@Oleksandra *********
th ks the heads upAnonymous ******************
Depends on what visa you opened it on. Visa exempt or tourist visa you may have big problems
Anonymous ******************
If you already have an account and are using it, there’s no reason why they would close it
Nick ************
Anonymous participant 680 there are lots of reasons why they might close accounts that is why they are doing it.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 680 Yes there is. Read the articles. You need to have the correct visa type.
Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
sure we will have to wait and see but common sense tells us they don’t have the resources to do this. It’s like the crackdown on foreign land ownership that comes around every few yearsAnonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 680 Thinking that banks don't have leverage on their own business isn't common sense sorry.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 680 What resources are needed? Have you been to a Thai bank? Half of them sitting around doing nothing. All they need is a print out of the accounts of foreigners at the branch. They then check their records of what visa they are on. If a tourist visa etc, they invite them in to update the visa or close their account. If no answer, freeze the account until it is updated.
Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
to open an account but they are not calling everyone who has opened an account over the last X amount of years to checkGreg ********
Anonymous participant 680 That is exactly what some of the reports are saying today. They are calling people in with accounts already. We will just have to wait and see.
Alexander *************
Anonymer Teilnehmer 680 If there's any pressure whatsoever to close accounts, the banks will follow without hesitation. They're not there to provide you with a service, but to generate profits for themselves. A bank in contravention of national legislation generates no profits long term.
Greg ********
@Alexander ************
And guaranteed there will be fine print in terms & conditions from when people opened account and signed allows this.
Jirka ********
Krungsri is easy…Bangkok bank was always the worse bank in Thailand
Anonymous *************
OP@Jirka *******
can open with dtv in kringsri?Greg ********
Anonymous participant A guy posted he did at Krungsri Chiiang Mai at Central Festival on here about a month to 6 weeks ago. I asked at Krungsri Maya Mall and they said only with visa issued by Immigration which DTV is not
Jirka ********
Anonymní účastník not sure. I opened with tourist visa
Greg ********
@Jirka *******
Krungsri at Emquartier in Bangkok used to be easy to open accounts as a tourist but that was a few years agoGreg ********
@Jirka *******
I was in Krungsri today getting documents for immigration. They asked me to open account with them as it is easier having a branch close to my home, just moved. The requirements they told me today were much less onerous than when I asked two weeks ago :-)Anonymous *************
OPI live in Bangkok
Anonymous *************
OP@Greg *******
which city?Greg ********
Anonymous participant Chiang Mai. I already have an account at same bank in Bangkok though. Opened on a B visa with Work Permit. They will not open an account on DTV at that particular branch.
Anonymous ******************
Soon I will start my own bank
Greg ********
Bangkok Bank was always the easiest. Some say it's still possible with TTB but to be honest it is a national crackdown. The new rules are to stop scammers and money laundering but everyone gets caught up in it, unfortunately. It is nothing to do with wealth. A retiree on a minimum income but with an "O" visa can open a bank account whenever.
Raymond ********
Anyone is this the Non O marrige visa included??
Raymond ********
Greg Bewick is this the Non O marrige visa included??
Raymond ********
@Greg *******
is this the Non O marrige visa included??Greg ********
@Raymond *******
Yes, you should have no problem opening an account on an "O" Spouse Visa.Raymond ********
@Greg *******
Greg thank you for this l will on occupany get the paperwork for th condo. Long time from promised finish date still argue with them they do not care at all.Greg ********
@Raymond *******
My bank told me the following to open a new account 1) The correct visa issued by immigration 2) Two forms of photographic ID 3) Lease or house book ie proof of address 4) Certificate of Residence from immigrationDifferent banks may have slightly different requirements but that is what was on the sheet she held up.
Raymond ********
@Greg *******
thank you Greg l will be banking in Phuket or Ban Khok SilaGreg ********
@Raymond *******
I was at my bank today and they are fine with all "Non-O, Non-B, LTR, Elite etc". The teller was actually encouraging me to open an account at this branch, as it is local. She said it would save me on fee's. She then had to return my fee's but that is different :-)Raymond ********
@Greg *******
thank you GregActivity
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