Answereda year ago
Why are Bangkok Bank and other Thai banks closing accounts opened under the DTV visa?
I just received a message from my bank saying that my account has been blocked and will be closed because it was opened under the DTV visa. Has anyone else experienced this?
The account was opened in November at Bangkok Bank.
The account was opened in November at Bangkok Bank.
Answer summary
Many expats, especially those with a DTV visa, have reported their bank accounts being blocked or closed by banks in Thailand, particularly Bangkok Bank. The issue has sparked discussions across various social media platforms, indicating that the closure is not limited to just one bank but is expected to extend to others. Participants in the conversation speculate that this is a regulatory measure driven by concerns over compliance and money laundering, rather than a targeted action against specific nationalities. It's noted that accounts opened under the DTV visa, which is categorized similarly to a tourist visa, are particularly at risk, while those who meet certain criteria—like owning property, having a long-term visa, or being married to a Thai citizen—might retain their bank accounts.
77 repliesnewest first
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Sam **********
I'm confused, how do they expect you to pay taxes if you can't have a Thai bank account?
Jirka ********
Open next bank..babgkok bank was always the worse
Duncan ********
Went to Bank today , they said focusing on last 6 months , looking mostly at Chinese, Had my account 3 years he said you have nothing to worry about ,, interesting that they are looking at last 6 months ,, around the same time they relaxed all there visa laws
Denis *****
@Duncan *******
Bangkok bank? what visa did you open it on and where?Duncan ********
@Denis ****
retirement Visa 3 years ago , bankkok bank airport plaza ,, but just go to bank and speak to them , they will sort it out for you , as I said the man in bank said they were focusing on the Chinese accounts , ( anywhere else in the world that would be racist but not Thailand , no woke here 😂)Denis *****
@Duncan *******
Thanks
Colin *********
It is truly remarkable that so many expats are in thailand and completely unaware of the circumstances.
Oliver **********
@Colin ********
what you knew that the banks were going to shut foreign nationals accounts?? It's only been in the news last 2 days !!
Bruce **********
@Oliver *********
I was in BKK and it was all over the news.Colin *********
@Oliver *********
yes. Two days worth of news and people are still asking the same question. To not be informed of policy decisions in your host country is silly
Anonymous ******************
May I know how did they message you? Via email or SMS or app notification?
James *******
Suck for those who paid an agent exorbitant amounts. I almost did
Anonymous ******************
@James ******
A great free lesson. Agents are here to make quick money and will then disappear as soon as things go wrong.
Roger ***********
Yes many others reported this
Anonymous ******************
Is this just impacting accounts opened under the DTV? Or is it including those opened a while ago?
Anonymous ******************
Participant anonyme 363 So far under DTV or exemptions only it seems
Elías ********
Yes, it's happening as, in theory, you shouldn't have (meaning you weren't allowed to) open the account on the first place.
John *******
Just use Moreta instead, pretty much same thing
Anonymous ******************
@John ******
pretty much ?John *******
Anonymous participant 985 it’s an e wallet that lets you scan qr codes for payments, so it acts like a Thai bank account. It’s quite new though and only accepts USD deposits.
Anonymous ******************
@John ******
I tried it, with my wise usd wallet. Not supported
Anonym*******
I have the DTV, and I opened a Bangkok Bank account during the purchase of my new condo. I believe they will allow me to keep the bank account.
Elías ********
Anonymous6161 yes, they will, there are three conditions that allow you to hold an account, and one of them is owning a place. As long you meet at least one of the three you're good. That's what I read today on the news.
Amir *********
@Elías *******
can you share the references?Elías ********
@Amir ********
yes, owning a property, having a long term visa/work permit or being married to a Thai national. Without any of those you're up to the luck of the day, but if any of these three, you're totally "safe".Amir *********
@Elías *******
so as long as you owning a property you should be fine ?Elías ********
@Amir ********
It's everywhere on the newsAnonymous ******************
@Elías *******
what are the other 2 conditions?Elías ********
Participante anónimo 987 yes, and by the Thai authorities themselves, the DTV is "not" a long term visa (I know, this doesn't sound about right, but legally speaking, it isn't one)
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 363 hold a long term visa or be married to a Thai
Erik *******
Yes. Other banks are going to follow . It’s a political move decided at the highest level. Bangkok bank won’t be the only one affected.
Brandon ************
@Erik ******
Has nothing to do with politics. The laws recently changed in Thailand holding banks responsible for all fraud and scam losses. They are hedging their bets and getting rid of all risk.
Wannikea *********
@Erik ******
I think it's more regulatory than political. The bank was caught out involved in money laundering, and waiving due diligence, and now they are trying to save their reputation, butt, and image.Anonymous ******************
@Erik ******
Agree and logic.
Anonymous ******************
You opened under a DTV? Or did you open it with a different visa type and then change to DTV? Sorry this happened to you. So stressful.
Declan *******
Anonymous participant 359 does not seem to matter what visa there opened with
Kelly ********
OPAnonymous participant 359 under DTV visa
Dany ********
yes its happening and it is kinda funny actually 😅 all the people that insulted other people for not beeing able to open an account and with their tourist visa bank account and their immortality 🤣🤣
Anonymous ******************
@Dany *******
Yep plenty of experts here 😂Wait for immigration to ramp up on checks at border and in the country.Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 341 ongoing activity check incomming 😅😅
SweetAng********
@An *******
here we goAnonymous ******************
You should follow the (Thai)news. It’s everywhere and other banks will follow soon.
Banks ********************
Anonymous participant 231 they already are. I just saw a recent Reddit post of someone that had their KASIKORN bank account frozen.
Anonymous ******************
Try Krungsri bank
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 282 2 weeks ago I was in Krungsri changing my address. I asked about opening a new account and on what visa etc. She held up a paper with list of requirements and said to me "Immigration Visa" only. I took that as visa issued by Immigration only or Non-Imm.
Anonymous ******************
@Greg *******
wow , existing account is ok ? Just can’t open a new one ? I opened mine years ago with visa exemption.Greg ********
Anonymous participant 282 My Krungsri was opened on B and WP. I am not on DTV now, I am on O
Anonymous ******************
Participant anonyme 282 Forget about it. They will go for all banks.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 341 forget about it 😂
Anonymous ******************
Participant anonyme 282 OK go for it then 👌😜
Den ********
DTV is apparently classed as a type of tourist visa.
Dennis ************
@Den *******
so is the Elite VisaErik *******
@Dennis ***********
True. BUT Elite visa gets you stamped for 1 year everytime you enter Thailand AND allow you to extend for 1 year every year if you want . Unlike DTV which stamp is for 6 months only and allow you to extend only once in 5 years. With Elite visa you can stay inside Thailand for straight 5, 10, 15 years (given the duration of the visa) if you want. It’s impossible with DTV: at some point they want you to leave the Kingdom.Dennis ************
@Cesar ***********************
ok 1 day out then
Cesar ************************
@Dennis ***********
This is not true. You must leave for at least one day. You cannot re-enter on the same calendar day that you left.
James ********
@Dennis ***********
correct ✅James ********
@Erik ******
at the end of one 180 day extension, you must leave Thailand. Then can reenter for another 180 days.Dennis ************
@Erik ******
With DTV you can extend every time your in Thailand for 6 months. Maximum stay is 1 year after that you have to leave and can return the same day if you like.
Winston ************
Ha ha Russo-phobes were saying "iTs oNlY rUsSiaNs" lol. All nationalities are affected.
JR **********************
@Winston ***********
what u doing on here … stay on YouTube 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂Anonymous ******************
@Winston ***********
Yep. The experts of everything and nothing. 😂Kelly ********
OP
Chris ********
@Winston ***********
yes they are DTV and account open in certain areasChris ********
Yeah if with Bangkok bank they are freezing accounts
Declan *******
Banks ********************
@Chris *******
there was also a recent Reddit post with someone having their KASIKORN bank frozen today, so looks like it’s not juts Bangkok bank..
Chris *******
Banks freezing accounts I witnessed it today , I was at Krungsri and the fellow was quite agitated.. let's leave it at that. He was told 2 choices: Close account or provide documents- no idea what they wanted.
Erik *******
Banks freezing accounts
Exactly.
Exactly.
Banks ********************
@Erik ******
yeah it’s happening as we speak. Luckily I have two Thai accounts, one that I opened with a work permit the other that I opened on a tourist visa many years ago. Both are okay as for now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the one I opened on the tourist visa gets frozen at some point.
Jack ********
How did they message you?
Sjef ***************
Did you open in pattaya?
Kelly ********
OP@Sjef **************
no, PhuketKelly ********
OPNo, direct at the bank
Yasmin ***********
@Kelly *******
trough a agent?
Pedro *******
Yes it's all over Thai Facebook pages and groups.
Kelly ********
OP@Pedro ******
really?? I didn t seeBanks ********************
@Kelly *******
yeah it’s everywhereActivity
42 joined42
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