Why are DTV visa holders having trouble opening bank accounts in Thailand?

Oct 24, 2024
2 months ago
It's already been 3 months since DTV launched.

All DTV visa holders are still having trouble opening bank accounts here.

I emailed all the banks every week and there were no updates from the bank of Thailand. I guess we just pay agents to do this 😭😭
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TLDR : Answer Summary
DTV visa holders are facing significant challenges in opening bank accounts in Thailand, similar to those experienced by traditional tourist visa holders. Several commenters suggest that banks are reluctant to service these accounts due to anti-money laundering regulations and the requirements for stable residency. Some users report success at specific banks like Bangkok Bank, but many others have encountered strict requirements or outright refusals, with agents often being necessary to navigate the process. The conversation highlights the complexities of banking as an expat in Thailand, particularly for those on temporary visas.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Justin **********
easiest way is to get a guarantor, any visa agency can help with this for a reasonable fee, Otherwise go into BBK bank with any Thai is comfortable doing this for you
Justin ********
@Justin *********
with a guarantor any tourist can get an account in most banks? Or what? Never heard of this after having read forums for 5 years now...
Henrik *****
DTV is a touristvisa, and therefor not eligible for a bankaccount ever.

And since their work is done outside Thailand, they will get their pay outside Thailand, and thereby a Thailand bankaccount is not needed.

To be eligble for a bankaccount, a real longterm visa is needed.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

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9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?
Jason ***********
What's the agents charge
Barc ***********
Agent in Pattaya or Phuket, or maybe some branches of Bangkok Bank in BKK
Dearbhla *******
Pretty sure they would have stated this in the benefits of the visa if you could open a bank account with it. It’s a long term tourist visa! Wise transfer has good rates for transferring into any international account.
Paul *******
I thought most DTV holders have previously resided in Thailand and thus should already have a Thai bank account. This applies to me. I hold 2 Thai bank accounts and thus have no need to apply for any additional ones.

I'm sure there are first timers who have decided to move to Thailand on a DTV who've never resided here before and may or may not have visited in the past, but I think they make up a small minority of applicants.
Biff *******
As it did before the DTV existed, it depends on the branch you walk in to, and the staff member you speak to. Some will do it with a residence certificate, and the purchase of an insurance policy (฿5000) others will do it just with the purchase of the insurance policy, others won’t do it at all.

And as for the residence certificate, that too depends which immigration office you have to deal with. Some will issue one on a regular tourist visa, some won’t.

The DTV hasn’t changed anything to do with opening a bank account in Thailand.
Jonas *************
It seems only Bangkok Bank doesn't have requirements of visa.

But for everyone who says that everyone says oh you just go to Kasikorn you can get accounts anyone can get and they did it for 100 years ago or something. I think they more or less require work visa unless you come with a local friend or something

Afraid that they put that person on they come to....
Lee ***********
I've tried in Central Thailand, been told by more than one, NO its a tourist visa, get a work permit or retirement visa. My way round it is bring in cash and pay funds into someone else's bank (who you can trust) I transfered in TB no costs. Then just go and withdraw it.
Justin ********
@Lee **********
your friend won't be so happy later when the Thai govt assessees them for tax on an extra $15,000 earnings in calendar year 2024? I dunno but it's worrisome
Lee ***********
@Justin *******
and your credentials are?
Justin ********
@Lee **********
lol. Ok so you assume thai banks report nothing to the government, that's also an extreme. In the US all $2500 transactions get reported, I'd gander it is lower in Thailand
Lee ***********
@Justin *******
your going on without understanding full facts, number one, number 2, there are alot like you scaremongering about thai tax rules, if your a registered tax advisor in Thailand I'll listen, otherwise bye.
Tim *****************
There was no mandate saying anyway could open a bank account with one. You’re essentially a tourist so you’re not entitled to one. Most agents can’t or won’t, but you’ll find one eventually.
Werner ************
If banks cared about foreigner difficulties opening banks accounts it would have been dealt with long ago as there are many visa classes opened much longer than DTV and still can’t open banks accounts, if you think a ‘manager’ is going to update you about anything you simply don’t know Thailand at all 🙏🏼 what is known is that a DTV is a tourist visa and as such a agent will be required and even then it might not work as it has become much more difficult to open banks accounts accounts
Pascal ***********
Do you have a residence certificate? If you have a long term (1 year) rental contract, then you can get this form at the immigration office.

The DTV itself doesn’t prove you will live in Thailand for a longer period.
Romain ****
Well most likely every bank has a way to get some bribe from the agents, I believe they do accounts 99% with agents except if you’re lucky
Justin ********
@Romain ***
doubt it. Three years ago, Bangkok Bank asked for nothing more than an affidavit from my embassy. Times change sadly.
Ibrahim ******
Bankok Bank in Central opposite Fortune Town (Bangkok) are open to DTV holders to open bank accounts. I went there the other day just to enquire, and she said it's a new visa, and after asking me a few questions, she said I need to bring a copy of my work contract and usual forms of ID.

So hopefully will have an account soon, going there again in a few days. Will make sure to post in the group if all goes well.
GenesisFritz **************
You can get a bank account at Bangkok Bank HO in Silom Office...you can bring your residence certificate or yes pay an agent
Greg ********
The issue is Thailand has been clamping down on money laundering and especially accounts used to scammmers. Thailand also signed up to the CRS (Common Reporting Standards) protocol. That means banks have to report back to the country of tax residence of account holders details of their banking for tax reporting purposes. That is quite a bit of extra work. Banks will be looking to see if it is worth it. It is a bit like USA citizens having difficulty with certain financial products jn skme jurisdictions. The extra work involved makes it not worth servicing them due to reporting requirement.
Mat ******
No worries, you can use my bank account. Just send me the money there and I’ll give it to you whenever you need it.
Yuriy ************
DTV is essentially a tourist visa hence banks don’t want to open accounts, same as they don’t open for traditional tourist visa holders.
Tommy **********
@Yuriy ***********
Correct 👍
Werner ************
@Yuriy ***********
most with DTV think they’ve become Thai citizens
Yuriy ************
@Werner ***********
instead they should pray quietly for it’s not cancelled retrospectively 👀🤣🤭
Henry ********
Apparently your best getting a Thai bank with a tourist visa through an agency, because I know if you get the education visa you won’t be able to get a bank account, you have to do it before and probably same with the DTV at the moment
Heiko *********
@Henry *******
I had no issues with a letter from my lanuage school, to open with khrung thai.
StĂŠphane *********
@Henry *******
I opened my Kasikorn account with a ED visa (student) last year. You need a appartment rental contract.
Pete ********
@Henry *******
what you talking about mate ? I walked into Bangkok bank and kasikorn by myself with no agent here in Bangkok and opened bank accounts at both branches with education visa

Education visa is one visa you definitely can have a bank account with
Rainy ****
@Pete *******
May I ask if it’s in Bangkok as have tried 5 banks with ED visa with no success.
Henry ********
@Pete *******
chill out mate, I posted the video I got the info from, just trying to help
Vadim ***************
@Henry *******
you can open a bank account with an educational visa. At least you could 1 year ago. Your school just give you a letter for bank. That's all.
Greg ********
@Vadim **************
I have no idea about ED Visa in particular but in general hard er to get bank accounts. Thailand signed up to CRS ( Common Reporting Standards) meaning more work for foreigners accounts etc.
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Lorne **********
@Vadim **************
if you go to university you can get a bank account. If you are just doing language school you can't get a bank account. Information directly from a reputable agent.
Sascha **********
@Lorne *********
I opened an account a month ago on an ED visa which I got through my language school. Don’t believe everything an agent tells you 😏
Vadim ***************
@Lorne *********
I'm talking about my own experience one year ago. That's all.
Henry ********
Or I might just be a lot harder
Henry ********
@Vadim **************
yeah it’s changed mate I’m 99% sure
Adrian ******
@Henry *******
I opened one recently on ed visa no problem. First bank I tried in chiang mai.
Lorne **********
@Adrian *****
what bank ? Cheers
Vadim ***************
@Henry *******
ok. Sorry for misinformation then.
Henry ********
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this is where I heard of it
Jef ********
@Henry *******
man this was the most helpful video thanks for sharing 🙏🏽
IĂąigo ************
The banks have not made any official policies regarding DTV visas. A Kasikorn branch manager will update me next week about it.