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Why are DTV holders struggling to maintain Thai bank accounts?

DTV visa Thailand banking issues KYC regulations visa types long-stay residency

Nov 30, 2025

5 hours ago

Vladimír *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

To all DTV holders:

Is anyone else unable to open or even keep a normal Thai bank account? (Well, don’t all answer at once!)

My Bangkok Bank account (opened legally in 2022) is currently frozen due to a SIM update issue, and I was informed that after standard KYC it may be permanently closed solely because I hold a DTV visa without a work permit.

Before anyone suggests Wise, Revolut or other workarounds – that is not the point!

I am not looking for hacks. I want to function as a NORMAL person with a local Thai bank account in the country where I legally live and spend my own money!

Forcing legal long-stay residents into cash-only or fintech-only solutions contradicts AML goals and personal safety.

I have filed a complaint with the Bank of Thailand.

If you experience the same issue, please comment or submit your complaint too – nothing changes unless enough of us speak up.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the difficulties faced by holders of Digital Tourist Visas (DTV) in maintaining normal Thai bank accounts, citing that a Bangkok Bank account was frozen due to a SIM update and may be permanently closed because they do not hold a work permit. The author expresses frustration with being treated like a tourist despite being a long-stay resident and points out the contradiction of forcing legal residents into cash-only solutions. Comments highlight a debate over the nature of the DTV as a tourist visa, with several responses suggesting that DTV holders are not recognized as residents and should apply for proper visas to open bank accounts.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Sefton ********

Buy a condo.. Property owners are then considered resident even when on DTV.

Gert married. Married guys it seems are allowed to keep accounts.

Have larger balances, banks here take you seriously when you have a few million in there.

Otherwise, if none of those are suitable for you this is the situation for short stay visas this year.

3 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

APPLY FOR PROPPER VISA

dtv = TOURIST VISA

people who buy $300 visa not need bank account. buy rich visa (Thai PRIVILEGE) if you want to look rich. or go back your country

3 hours ago

Mike **********

Get over it. Go to your own country if you dont like it.

4 hours ago

Jeff *******

"legal long-stay residents"

You're not. If you're on a DTV, you're a tourist!

Get the right visa for your situation.

4 hours ago

Brandon ************

I'm not sure if you've been hiding under a rock or something, but this is not a new issue.

Banks in Thailand no longer support bank accounts for tourists. You are a tourist with a tourist visa. Your bank is checking up on its existing customers to see if they meet the current qualifications, which you do not. They are a private entity and have the ability to deny service to anyone they like.

4 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

@Brandon ***********

only blk stupid bank check it..they have always problem

3 hours ago

Reply to

Anonymous ******************

DTV_Be*******

You are not a long term resident if you are on a DTV. You are glorified visitor

4 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

DTV_BegPecker that's incorrect. Read a definition of a resident and don't spread such nonsense

4 hours ago

DTV_Be*******

Anonymous participant 618 - show me this definition, and non the definition for tax purposes.

3 hours ago

Reply to

DTV_Be*******

Todd *********

You are not a resident. And you cannot reside in Thailand. You can stay. You can pay tax. But you are a tourist/nomad. Go be nomadic. Or at least understand the intent of your visa. You bought a visa for $300. Doesn't set you up for success.

4 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

@Todd ********

is not about price lol..dumb

3 hours ago

Dennis ************

@Todd ********

you can buy a 15 year visa for a few million baht but thats also a tourist visa

4 hours ago

Reply to

Dennis ************

Kool *******

Just go and update your data at your bank branch. The only ones having accounts closed are those that opened their account on a tourist entry.

4 hours ago

Jared *********

@Ko**

people with DTV ate having their accounts frozen and closed

4 hours ago

Kool *******

@Jared ********

understand that on a frozen account, you have to update all your data anyway in order to get the money out of the account if they close it. Also, Bangkok Bank has been in the process of freezing all accounts held by foreigners over the last eight months, in batches. I had to update by data, when all my Bangkok Bank accounts were frozen last March.

4 hours ago

Reply to

Kool *******

BM ******

@Kool ******

wrong

4 hours ago

Reply to

BM ******

Andrew *********

Maybe you should go see the person who created your visa. You can see him at Cell 675 Bangkok Hilton.

5 hours ago

Will ************

You're a digital nomad , a tourist who moves around the world.

5 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

@Will ***********

yeah, and? A DTV lets me stay in Thailand for 5 years. This restriction makes no sense.

4 hours ago

Elías ********

Participante anónimo 518 the restriction might not make sense, but that's the current rule. You can't do anything about it.

4 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

@Elías *******

sad reality. All i can do is moan about it online 🤣

3 hours ago

Reply to

Anonymous ******************

DTV_Be*******

Anonymous participant 518 - No, the DTV makes you leave Thailand every 180 to 360 days (if you have extension), and your stamp restarts every time, so according to the government you are not here for 5 years

4 hours ago

Anonymous ******************

DTV_BegPecker right. 2.5 out of 5 years easily if you stay out for the other 6 months (which you don’t have to). Still would be convenient…

3 hours ago

Reply to

Anonymous ******************

What are the new banking limitations for foreigners on DTV visas in Thailand?

20 comments

3 days ago

What are the banking challenges for DTV visa holders in Thailand?

105 comments

2 months ago