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Why was my Bangkok Bank account closed as a DTV holder, and what can I do about it?

DTV VisaThai Bank AccountVisa RulesImmigrationThailand Expat BankingBank Account ClosureNon-O VisaGuardian VisaBangkok BankThai Visa Requirements
Oct 2, 2025
5 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
DTV holder and ex-owner of a Bangkok Bank account.

Last year I opened an account myself through Bangkok Bank with a personal referral from a branch employee and in-person approval from the manager at the branch.

A few days ago, an error kept popping up every time I tried to pay.

Long story short, I went into the bank and the teller informed me it’s because I have the DTV and that they had closed my account. I told her I had applied for the account myself, had a referral, a year long house lease, and my daughter goes to school here. She profusely apologized but at the end of it all, no exceptions.

They closed my account and gave me my money back.

Definitely a bummer but we were expecting this to happen at some point.

Good luck to the rest of you DTV bank account holders!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user reports that their Bangkok Bank account was closed due to their DTV visa status, despite having opened the account themselves with the necessary referrals and a long-term residence lease. They share the experience of being informed that there are no exceptions for DTV holders and the account was shut down immediately, returning their funds. Other commenters discuss similar experiences with bank account closures linked to their visa status, express frustration over banking policies, and suggest alternative visa options for those in similar situations.
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Anonymous ******************
I've had a Kasikornbank account for about 10 years, opened on tourist visa, later had non-B for years and I think they saw it a couple of times but dunno if they noted it.

Earlier this year I switched to DTV, right before all this fuss started. Now I'm wondering if I should go back to Non-B (I have a Thai child), but would really prefer to stay on DTV.

In any case I've not heard a thing from my bank so far... Just wondering if they will ask me to update later... Hopefully not
5 days ago
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Japer ********
At the end of the day it is up to the bank if they want your business or not.....

That said I will just leave you with my experiences with the blue bank in Pattaya.

Account opened 2yrs ago gave all the paperwork they requested, no agency...

Last Fri whilst in Chiang Mai I had a problem scanning a restaurant bill....

Luckily I had some cash....

On my return to said bank in Pattaya on Monday they informed me that I had no option but to close the account.....no apologies for the lack of notice or communication...

The account was closed and the balance which was reasonably small was repaid there and then ...

Apparently my account had been frozen from the Fri, however and debit for the sum of bt300 has deducted on the following Sunday for a new debit card issue....a card I could not use because they had frozen the account....they would not reimburse me the bt300....ok not big money but still...

And finally they managed to give my passport to another guy who was also having his account closed...... lucky they had a tel number and he returned it....total time in bank 4hrs ..

Staff really unprofessional and uncaring.

I was made to feel like I had done something wrong ......but as I said before I opened the account based on the paperwork they requested....my advice is keep your money safe...
5 days ago
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Christer *****
Short story. Tourist visa? No bank account. Will be so everywhere
5 days ago
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Nathan ****
Mine is locked. To unlock it they need my marriage visa. To get my visa I need the bank with the money, go figure 🤣 taking a trip to Kasikorn in Surin as they can be more relaxed, it's crazy
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
About 2 years ago I visited my branch of the blue bank to make a small withdrawal. As usual I presented my DL but this time they wanted my PP, ok I said and after she confirmed that I was the person she already knew she proceeded to look for my visa and was noting down its type and status. I asked her why my visa was relevant and she told me that they were checking to see if I was legally in the country.

After this current mess its time for me to close my accounts there as I dont want access to MY money frozen for weeks as they seem to change their rules monthly.

Safer now to buy USD cash as the rate is good and to buy a safe.

ธcrew these banking apps and digital payments, cash is king again.
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
Yeah the tellers don’t give a crap. They are told tourist visa = close. It’s unfortunate especially for the ones that stay in Thailand most of the year.
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
A couple days ago someone mentioned you could open an account at KTB Krungthai bank in Trat and the Bank teller told him all Branches in Thailand allow DTV holders to open the account there , has anyone tried it yet ?
5 days ago
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Sean *******
Anonymous participant 861 I seen that post too and he deleted it. Probably because too many people would have gone there on his recommendation.

I've had a Krungthai account since 2015. March this year I went to update my phone number and passport. I assume they saw my DTV stamp. Still working fine now.
5 days ago
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Sean *******
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James ********
Sadly, changing the Thai Visa you were on to the 5 year DTV visa has not helped you.

You mention that you have a daughter in School here in Thailand.

I assume that you are the father of a Thai child.

As such you can get the one year Guardian Visa, as father of a child in School. Or get the Non O Visa as the father of a Thai child.

I wish you success in getting the correct Thai Visa for your stay in Thailand... both of the visas mentioned will qualify for opening up a Thai bank account.
5 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
 We’ve only ever had the DTV.

I’m the mother of the child and we are all from the US. Our daughter is only 4 and goes to a preschool so she is not on an education visa.

Thank you for the input though! If we stay here beyond when our daughter will start 1st grade, this route you mentioned will probably be the one we take 🙏🏻
5 days ago
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James ********
Anonymous participant thank you for your helpful reply 👍.

There are other "how to choose and use my money options being shared in many posts on THIS and other Facebook forums.

The DTV visa is a great Thai Visa to have.

When and if you decide to stay in Thailand and wish to explore one of the two Thai Visas I shared, the Guardian Visa ... the Thai Visa Advice forum is a helpful resource for you. Free advice and respected by many.

FYI, with the Guardian Visa, ONLY ONE adult can have it per child. So if there's two adults... Only one can get the Guardian Visa.
5 days ago
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James ********
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Paul ********
@James *******
 There may be lots of reasons why the DTV is better for this person and probably has helped them. It really isn't hard to live in Thailand on a DTV for 5 years. If you don't leave the kingdom often, just doing a same day trip border bounce to reset every 6 months works fine. As far as banking, get a Wise card or equivalent for no forex fees and ideally an account that refunds foreign ATM fees and you are golden. Only thing missing would be PromptPay which is no huge deal vs. cash.
5 days ago
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James ********
@Paul *******
 agreed ✅
5 days ago
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James ********
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Anonymous ******************
They close my too. And i have 17 million on bank...thats a trouble to stock them somewhere. For the moment i rent a shurguard. But i think they Best its by gold for everything....
5 days ago
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David ********
Anonymous participant 237 Keep that amount in another country and only bring in to Thailand what you need.
5 days ago
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John *********
@David *******
 sound advice
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
@John ********
 Thats not possible to move them from Thailand.
4 days ago
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Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 237 Why is it not possible to move it from Thailand? I expect what you bring in you also can bring out.
4 days ago
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Don *******
@Luit ****************
 believe the limit of 20,000 baht can only be “exported” out per time
4 days ago
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Luit *****************
@Don ******
 When you bring in 17M baht, you can only export 20K?

But why you should bring in 17M without spending it, I don't understand in the first place.
3 days ago
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Don *******
@Luit ****************
 export control of currency yep

He didn’t bring in 17M. He has it in his account.

He can just convert to USDT and put it on an usb and move it that way
3 days ago
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Luit *****************
@Don ******
 When he did not bring in 17M and it is in his account and he is on DTV, then I can understand why the account is frozen. Where does the money come from? I think this kind of situations is the main reason why this measures are taken by the bank.
3 days ago
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Don *******
@Luit ****************
 transfer from bank to bank? Closed his previous account so he can’t transfer it back? He didn’t bring in 17M in cash. That’s the schtick
3 days ago
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John *********
Anonymous participant 237
4 days ago
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Reply to
John *********
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SunnyKan********
How did they know that you have moved to DTV?
5 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
SunnyKangaroo226 We opened the account with a DTV. So they had it all on file from the get go.
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
SunnyKangaroo226 they don’t know
5 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 164 You have to show a visa when you open an account…at least we did.
5 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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Rick ************
Did they close the account and return you funds on the spot or did you have to wait days etc?
5 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rick ***********
 Thankfully they gave it back then. I have heard of people having to wait days or weeks but they shut it down and gave me my money within an hour.
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant and now you have cash which is king!!
3 days ago
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Rick ************
Hopefully that will be my case too.
5 days ago
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Rick ************
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Sean *******
Yeah doesn't matter whether you used an agent or not. BB are closing all accounts for people on tourist visas.
5 days ago
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Sean *******
Anonymous participant 164 When they freeze your account and ask you to go in yes ☺️
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
@Sean ******
 and the BB manager knows this how ?
5 days ago
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Sean *******
Anonymous participant 560 Knows what?
5 days ago
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Reply to
Sean *******
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Anonymous ******************
@Sean ******
 because they know which Visa you have… sure 😂
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 164 They ask for a visa when you open it, check it when going to the counter or even ask you to update sometimes. Just got a notification that I need to go register for face scan...
5 days ago
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Christer *****
Anonymous participant 164 It's all going digital
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 164 no because they are sending out alerts or notifications to you to come in and verify. You should see the lines at both Pattaya BB branches every morning.
5 days ago
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Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 164

To open a bank account at any bank in Thailand, you have to show your visa . They make a copy of it and they store it in your files. What a genius you are… for sure 😂
5 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 164 You have to show a visa when you open an account…at least we did.
5 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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