Answereda year ago
Why is Bangkok Bank closing accounts of foreign customers on DTV or tourist visas?
Had a Bangkok bank account for 2 years. Opened through an agent. This weekend they limited access to my account and told me to come in. Manager says they dont approve DTV’s and are closing all accounts not on long term visas. They are slowly going through all foreign accounts …..
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around Bangkok Bank restricting access to accounts for holders of Digital Visa (DTV) and other non-long-term visa holders, citing compliance and anti-money laundering measures. Many expats, including those who opened accounts with tourist visas, are facing account closures, leading to confusion and concern. Several commenters share their experiences and insights on the matter, indicating that banks are analyzing account transactions and prioritizing stability and legit users in compliance with regulations.
122 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Tim ***********
What is your nationality ?
Tim ***********
You should first try to find out what was the reason for rejection. I would travel to a new consulate in another country. Just in case they rejected you because they didn't like you for whatever reason
Anonymous *************
OP@Tim **********
USA.Anonymous *************
OP@Tim **********
USA.
Anonymous ******************
Ok pinocchio
Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 477 LMAO. A lot of morons in this group
Lee ***********
We've been saying, but people wouldn't listen, paid your money to get around the rules and this is what happens, good on em. Plenty need to stop bending the rules and be straight, then you don't need to be anonymous. It's liberating.
Anonymous *************
OP@Lee **********
coming from the guy that locked his profile. LMAOLee ***********
Anonymous participant no it's a problem for you the tourist that can have one 😉 another example of why people are anonymous so they can give attitude.
Lee ***********
Anonymous participant hmm idiot, you posted on the DTV forum you monkey 😆 learn what that visa is, it's very simple...for some!
Anonymous *************
OP@Lee **********
tourist ? How do you figure based off a post saying my account was closed. You’re an idiot.Anonymous *************
OP@Lee **********
so everything in Thailand from paying an agent for a visa for a drivers license for a DTV for a bank account. All wrong to you huh ? I started an account in Thailand to pay my normal bills and scan at big c and the market. So ? Wasn’t trying to bend any rules just wanted a bank account to make life easier. Seems to be a problem for you
Haran *************
I hired cars twice they gave me back the deposit in cash 5k x 2 =10k - I deposited it in the ATM - it took the money - then froze my account. Now I am not "Legit" as one of these comments stated. Bank account closed. Im on a DTV - so will be in Thailand 5 years non stop (only need to fly out for lunch and return same day every 180) Thats 1825 days straight, buying a car, bike, apartment, boat -BUT NOT ALLOWED BANK ACCOUNT! - they have gone cocoNUTS! Classic over reaction because they got caught with their pants down
Anonymous *************
OPHaran J Nicholls agreed. Whatever algorithms or stereotyping they do, it’s wrong.
Jonathan ***********
If you couldn’t open the account yourself and needed an agent to help you, then it was shady / grey area at best to begin with
Anonymous ******************
All the people on tourists visa and ED visa may get their account closed sooner or later; as a tourist you are not supposed to have a bank account in the country; don’t be surprised; some enjoyed it for several months or years including me but that was just let’s say a favor; because banks are not suppose to open bank accounts to tourists some staying in hotels (I’ve seen the case by myself of friends opening while their adress is a hotel room). If you want a bank account and be considered as a real expat just switch a part of your online activity with a real Thai company with non b visa with work permit paying few taxes every year; all serious people wanting to establish their life here did it and it gives you a real status. If you want to be expat with a cuisine class or with an online business registered in your own country it’s not gonna work; you will always be a tourist and you can use True wallet or you own bank card to live here; you pay your rent with wise directly to landlord and so on…
Lucas **********
Mine got shut 2 weeks ago.. I have an appointment to pick my cash up on Wednesday...
Ben-oni ****
DTV When was launched...?
John *********
If you have a normal account with good transactional history, no problem. They are just getting rid of bad people that have been running shady businesses, they will be deported. These people are no good to society.
Anonymous *************
OP@John ********
manager said no to all dtvs regardless of history. So no wrong.
Cliff *********
Bangkok Bank update:
I have had this account for several years, initially opened on a tourist visa.
Because of all the confusion about accounts getting closed I visited the local branch today for peace of mind.
They said no problem with older accounts.
For these they look at cash flow to prevent money laundering…Large amount of money in and then out again.
Regular monthly deposits and bills paid online are normal and proper use of the account.
They are contacting people by email if there account issues.
USA passport on DTV visa. Account in Chiang Mai. 5 June 2025.
I hope this helps…..I was really freaked out with all the news of BB accounts getting closed.
I have had this account for several years, initially opened on a tourist visa.
Because of all the confusion about accounts getting closed I visited the local branch today for peace of mind.
They said no problem with older accounts.
For these they look at cash flow to prevent money laundering…Large amount of money in and then out again.
Regular monthly deposits and bills paid online are normal and proper use of the account.
They are contacting people by email if there account issues.
USA passport on DTV visa. Account in Chiang Mai. 5 June 2025.
I hope this helps…..I was really freaked out with all the news of BB accounts getting closed.
Greg ********
@Cliff ********
I read the check is on certain benchmarks. Number of transaction and large amounts. As you say normal pattern is use is fine for accounts opened a while.Cliff *********
Read my post from a few days ago.
This is NOT correct information.
This is NOT correct information.
Jonas *************
Well it's interesting because the press has said the explicitly go after Chinese or Russians.
As far as no mentioning will Bank which bank which city and also the citizenship of the person in question....
There is not much information to go on for this post....
As far as no mentioning will Bank which bank which city and also the citizenship of the person in question....
There is not much information to go on for this post....
Wannikea *********
Just show them you aren't laundering money through the account and are a legit customer.
Anonymous *************
OP@Wannikea ********
and how do you do that ?Wannikea *********
Anonymous participant show that your daily transactions are basically living expenses and the deposits are from however they originate
Wannikea *********
Anonymous participant each branch is using its own discretion, it's a matter of KYC compliance, know your client.
Anonymous *************
OP@Wannikea ********
they printed out 16 pages of transactions. She clearly stated DTV = Bangkok bank doesn’t accept. Then closed the account.
Rok ********
DTV is only 1 year old. Must have been opened on a tourist visa.
Anonymous ******************
@Rok *******
Yes, the poster confirmed. Opened on tourist visa and now on DTV.Anonymous ******************
DTV is a tourist visa; do you need to open a bank account as tourist ? What country will accept ?
Stéfan ********
Anonymous participant 191 Singapore, Switzerland, Estonia, US.
Jessy ******
Participant anonyme 191 it’s a 5 years visa mainly for remote workers so obviously many people need a bank account
Stathis ***********
Anonymous participant 191
Spain .
Spain .
Alex *********
Anonymous participant 191 I know dozens of countries that will open a bank account without a long term visa
Anonymous ******************
@Alex ********
only grey countries in the financial system will accept to open bank account to tourist for tax evasion; of course you can in Panama Luxembourg Hong Kong but these are exceptions; 95% of countries will never accept to open bank accounts for tourists due to financial regulations;
Chris ************
Anonymous participant 191 Canada 🇨🇦 does. No issues. They use transaction tracking to look for fraud.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 191 Are you sure Luxemburg will do so? They have to follow EU rules.
Elías ********
Participante anónimo 191 you call them gray countries, other call them financial hubs 😂🫡
Greg ********
@Alex ********
I once had an account in Luxembourg and have never set foot there in my life. Wish I had kept it open now. As a British citizen opening a new account in the UK was a nightmare though after 15 years outside.Elías ********
Participante anónimo 191 Many do accept, although that has nothing to do with Thailand. Whether other counties allow it or not is not relevant.
John **********
If anything the problem will be that your account was opened via an agent. When you go to the bank make sure you take your bank book, your passport and a mobile phone with a Thai SIM that is registered in your name
Paul ********
@John *********
And for people who don’t know, the mobile number linked to your account can be changed at an ATM. They send a OTP to your fone to confirm.
Christopher ***********
@Paul *******
Thanks for your information. Last time I looked it could only be changed by a personal visit to branch. It appears (at least for me) that I can change it via my mobile app too. ‘Personal Information’ (KYC) is also interesting. It shows both registration and mailing address. My registration address is that of my Visa Agent who opened my account. My mailing address is an address I left seven years ago. Must have forgotten to update!Andy **********
Why do so many people feel the need to post anonymously? I've never seen so many anonymous posts and comments on any other Facebook page.
Duncan ********
@Andy *********
I have ,, the Pedo Pages on Facebook are all Anonymous strangely enough 😂😂😂Lee ***********
We've been saying, but people wouldn't listen, paid your money to get around the rules and this is what happens, good on em. Plenty need to stop bending the rules and be straight, then you don't need to be anonymous. It's liberating.
Lee ***********
@Andy *********
is it something to do with the site settings perhaps, because I went to comment once and it showed me as anonymous, which, I changed. I agree though and stopped reading and won't answer if I do read.John *********
@Andy *********
It’s because they have things to hide 🤷🏾♀️Anonymous *************
OP@John ********
not true. Why would I want my name exposed so immigration or a financial institution can see what I’m talking about , if they are looking at social media.Anonymous *************
OPAnonymous participant 621 exactly.
Anonymous ******************
Participant(e) anonyme Don't worry. These guys have no idea... They have never heard about defamation laws and so ones. According to these same guys, everything posted by an anonymous is wrong, whatever the sources and points you bring. Rules are getting stricter and they don't like hearing it.
Andy **********
@John ********
if you believe the rumours, about there being plenty of dodgy DTVs, I would understand when they post anonymously if it's personal, or revealing something that could have a future impact, but there are so many that post anonymously when it's just random chit chat, it's unbelievable.
Nick *******
@Andy *********
it’s beyond strange that it bothers you. People have their reasons.Andy **********
@Nick ******
it's beyond strange that you don't question the need to do, I would understand if they were doing something they shouldn't, and wanted to remain anonymous, because of any repercussions from going public, many post or comment anonymously for literally everything!! things that people couldn't care less about, I bet a high percentage of posts and comments are B/S, for entertainment or to keep the page active, they are like a load of frightened kittens, what are they scared of??Nick *******
@Andy *********
because they can! The same logic applies in reverse - why do they have to show their name? It has no relevance to anyones comment or question - ever. You are right in that sometimes context is missing to help someone properly but you can ask them for more information! The advice won’t change because their name is Nick or Andy! Anyway we can disagree - it’s all good. I just think it’s odd it bothers you - there is simply no reason to know someone’s name. I actually think the obsession with wanting to know someone’s name will just make more people go anonymous! Have a great day AndyAndy **********
@Nick ******
I'm not judging any specific person, or questioning the topic of the posts, apart from some seem to be B/S, my question is, why do so many feel they need to hide, when it's just a general discussion, about something irrelevant and obviously not personal?? That's what I don't understand, Sometimes you could offer better advice, if you had a better idea of who you were dealing with.Nick *******
@Andy *********
I see as many BS posts, or troll comments from named people as anonymous people. I know a few people that post anonymously because of trolls. Or people that like to judge others - like yourself. Why do you need to know who they are? If you don’t like it then don’t answer or help them.
Mark *******
@Andy *********
I think when it comes to banking issues it’s okayAndy **********
@Mark ******
why because banking doesn't matter and it's just general chit chat?? That's my point!! why be anonymous for absolutely every single post or comment 🤷🙆🤦Andy **********
@Donna *****
it's not just the fact someone does an anonymous post or comment, I do understand why people do it, such as for the reasons you stated in your comment, it's the amount in this group, it's just unreal, and many times they are just discussing something like how to avoid ATM fees, so why the need to hide, are they embarrassed or scared of something, I reckon a lot of it is just B/S, and for someone's entertainment, or someone is trying to keep this page "active" or maybe it's sometimes a tax account, or an agent scaremongering, people only want to see genuine problems, and genuine solutions, that's why we are in this group, who wants to be trailing through all the B/S, I actually also think you can be more helpful with advice, if you have an idea who you are dealing with, for instance, if it was an elderly lady, your advice could be different as to if it were a young man.
Donna ******
@Andy *********
Because once someone posts or comments anonymously, they can only continue to post anonymously on the same thread. Then that choice stays until one actively switches back to comment from their profile. Some people do it because they might want to speak openly, perhaps putting personal details they don't want to share publicly, or because there's a lot of abuse on some of the threads. I don't understand why it bothers people so much.Andy **********
@Dom *******
no real direct impact, I've just never seen so many anonymous posts in my life, until I joining this group, if it's something personal, or they are revealing something publicly, that could have a future impact, I would understand, they even post anonymously and comment anonymously, when it's just general chit chat about ATM fees, or something else that doesn't matter, I reckon a lot of it is just B/S, and for someone's entertainment, or someone is trying to keep this page "active" people only want to see genuine problems, and genuine solutions, that's why we are in this group, who wants to be trailing through all the B/S.
Dom ********
@Andy *********
what impact does it have on you?
Dnatjugweme ************
@Andy *********
Extremely annoying, indeed.
Peter **********
As I have said before, I'm not that bothered. I can open a bank account in my wife's name and just pay for things via that. I'm going to get a cheap phone in her name and put the app on there so I can use for qr payments etc.
Anonymous ******************
@Peter *********
The definition of a mule account with the risk of getting scammed when she will decide she have had enough of you 🤣
Kal ****
@Peter *********
you falling into oldest trap of them all 😂Sitg *********
@Pe***
that’s even worseAnonymous ******************
Okay... Which visa did you use to open your account?
Corrine ******
Same happened to me
Joshua ***********
the problem is the papers your agent used to open your bank account.
Paul ********
@Joshua **********
I agree with you. Those accounts opened properly are not being closedSitg *********
@Pa**
how you know this - only dodgy accounts are closed in line with regulatory and compliance rules not agents or otherwise why do you lot make up daft stories does it help
Anonymous ******************
Yes happend to me also I’m Australian
Jon **********
Another good anonymous story
Anonymous ******************
@Jon *********
Read the comments... Some aren't anonymous. The use of agents is probably an issue.
Thai ************************************************
Anonymous participant 621 not at all, not related. It’s about visa status.
Thai ************************************************
Anonymous participant 621 when I give it a second thought it’s also possible with bad agents 🤔 yes. Agents should not help with opening bank accounts, but show a path how to do it.
Anonymous ******************
@Thai ******
Also possible.
Pete *******
You certainly didn’t open the account on a DTV.
Anonymous *************
OP@Pete ******
nope sure didn’t. Does it say that I did ? Just says Bangkok Bank manager said no to DTVs.Pete *******
@Erik ******
total nonsense, accounts opened two years ago are out of scope. KYC/AML instructions from BOT refer to new account openings not existing accounts with several years of history.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
Did you read those instructions, and are you sure every office interprets them in the same way? Why should OP lie about this?Anonymous *************
OP@Luit ****************
it’s 100% true. I pay my rent , phone bill , QR payments at the local market, golf course. If you look at the 16 or so pages of transactions it was just money going in from the US and going out to the above. Again, why lie about this. I went in 830am this morning Pattaya central branch, the manager asked me if I was working in Thailand and I am not. Then showed her my DTV and she said she sees the transaction history but at this time Bangkok Bank is not honoring DTV customers as it’s a “6 month visa” if I had a work permit visa or retirement that would suffice.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
I still believe it could be true what OP is telling, maybe his account was flagged by checking algoritmes, and when he was at the bank office the manager could tell they were checking all foreigner accounts, because the manager doesn't like to tell they flagged his account.Pete *******
@Luit ****************
correct, banks analyze historical account data, they will not call in millions of customers to ask them what visa they are on or to put blanket blocks on accounts. You proved my point and are now logically questioning the OP’s truthfulness of his statement.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
I do not see the published information as instructions to bankemployees, it is just an explanation of bank policy. It is not a policy against DTV holders. The bank can just ask you what visa you are on. When they want to cleanup foreign accounts, they just might analyze the use of the account with a number of algoritmes.Pete *******
@Luit ****************
the instructions are available for anyone to read as they are published on the BOT website. How would the bank know what visa your currently on if you opened the account several years ago? He certainly never opened the account on a DTV.Paul ********
@Erik ******
may I ask how the bank communicated that with you. And how do you know that all foreigners’ bank accounts are under scrutiny? Just wondering
Ayoub **********
@Erik ******
im new here on 60 days tourist visa i went to 7+ different banks to open acc they all refused meJonas *************
@Ayoub *********
they always do that until you get lucky somewhere... It was the same thing 5 years ago. Only Bangkok Bank allowed me.
Eren **********
@Pete ******
good catch!
Alexei ****************
It's not even 2 years that the DTV exist
Anonymous ******************
@Alexei ***************
I asked the poster about it as I thought the same as you. He/she confirmed it was initially opened on a tourist visa and he/she moved to a DTV.
Stephan ***********
@Alexei ***************
Not even one year, to be exact... 😉Alexei ****************
@Stephan **********
right! In one month it will be a year 😂Greg ********
@Stephan **********
Cheers. My OCD loves dates lolStephan ***********
@Greg *******
15th of July, together with the 60 day visa exempt.Greg ********
@Alexei ***************
July 24th was it?
Anonymous ******************
Thai people start to bite the hands that feed them if u know what i mean
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 624 Maybe DTV are not really feeding them?
Sitg *********
only if you act anon and think you are above the law
Ron ******************
Anonymous participant 624 before criticising Thailand, try to open a bank account in your home country on a short term visa/ visa free entry. I will say good luck to that. It's about stopping scams, money laundering and complying with international standards.
Sitg *********
@R**
you own country doesn’t ask for a passport so that’s a silly comparison now isn’t it.Sitg *********
@R**
🤫Ron ******************
@Sitg ********
shame low IQ case. ByeSitg *********
@R**
no you didn’t idiot - now shush you have bored enough people and me now. Good boy - shushing 🤫Ron ******************
@Sitg ********
I think you need some logic classes. But I will spell it out. What I said is compare your home country's requirements to open a bank account for a foreigner vs Thailand's requirements before complaining. Do you now understand what I said?Anonymous ******************
@Ron *****************
Correct, even with Thais it’s super difficult to open bank accounts right now (specially if you are freelance and don’t work in company) Foreigners who say stuff like his comment have no idea about the whole situation.Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 624 They don’t really care about small money or big money but illegals🤣
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 346 nah they just become money thirsty trolls.
Anton ********************
Anonym deltagare 346 i took it into context with the guy u reply not the OT.
Anonymous ******************
@Anton *******************
Seem like you have some reading skills or understanding problems 🤣 I said they scan for scammers to kick them out. If you are one of them, yea it won’t be good for you 😁 And it will affect tourists only about opening bank account tho. 🤷🏼♂️Anton ********************
Anonym deltagare 346 well you said it’s not good for tourists when they get kicked out 😂
Anonymous ******************
@Anton *******************
‘Good for Thais’ when they are more strict of scanning people, nobody said scamming is good for tourists 😅Anton ********************
Anonym deltagare 346 how is scamming and money laundering good for tourists?
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 624 Nah they just started scanning and kicking out those money laundry and scammers. Which is good for Thais but not for tourists.
Andi ***********
Depends on the branch and also if you opened yourself or via an agent. There are DTVers whose accounts have been allowed to remain open.
Jonas *************
@Andi **********
so are you saying agent is better or worse?Andi ***********
Jonas S Karlsson it is all branch specific, some branches are easier with an agent others are ok DIY.
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