Why won't Thai banks open accounts for DTV visa holders?

Banks certainly do not open a bank account on a VOA (without help of an agent just the way DTV holder can use them).

yes.the bank manager and the responsability leader is very very need instruction,very mistake😚

Wait 3 month and try again.

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.

9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?

Dude, after the latest Thai laws you DO NOT want a Thai bank account. They will tax you and make tonnes of issues. Stick with wise and revolut only.

Here's the back story about foreigners and opening bank accounts in Thailand.

Years ago, perhaps until around 15 years ago, it was very straightforward for many foreigners on visa exemptions or generally non-working persons to open a Thai bank account with minimal documents or fuss. Perhaps you needed a certificate of residency, which was easy to obtain via your embassy or immigration, plus a secondary proof of identity document such as your national driver's license in your home country but that was about it.

Over the years, banks have gradually started tightening the criteria for opening bank accounts as a foreigner. Some banks began to scrutinize or even deny bank accounts to American nationals, mainly due to the US government reporting requirements, while leaving foreigners with other nationalities alone.

Then came concerns about money laundering and transnational crimes.

In fact, Bangkok Bank has specifically cited the practice of Burmese nationals opening "ghost" accounts for the purposes of money laundering and recipients of scams as the reason for cracking down on Burmese and by extension, foreign nationals opening bank accounts without being resident and working in Thailand.

Each bank and branch may have their own individual policy and ultimately the branch manager decides whether to open an account or not. Some bank managers might open an account for someone on visa exempt if they explain they need a bank account in order to qualify for an extension of stay, without which they won't be granted an extension.

Others may refuse to deal with any non-working foreigners. Oftentimes, dealing with foreigners who can't speak Thai proves frustrating and consequently, some bank branches prefer to say "no, cannot" in order to save face or not have to deal with the complexity and paperwork required to open an account for a foreigner.

Agents, bringing along a Thai speaker and/or going to the head office branch in Bangkok (or sometimes, a major branch in an expat heavy part of Bangkok/Pattaya/Samui/Phuket/Chiang Mai etc) can help a lot.

Avoid random shopping mall branches especially if you're living in a Thai area and don't speak Thai, meaning such branches will not be used to dealing with foreigners.

@Karl ********

@Valerioshi ***********

i would not comment, if I don't know it better. The thing is, you guys comment based on hearsay and not real knowledge.

Find a way to get a work permit from Labour Office. They will do if you have work permit.

The amount of ignorance and rubbish dribbling out of people's mouths in here is insane.

You can work while in Thailand with a DTV! You just can't for a Thai company or Thai clients but can do remote work!

You can open a bank account on a DTV and you don't need an agent to do it.

There are many reasons to need a Thai bank account when here, for example paying bills like rent, medical bills, not everywhere takes cash and why pay fees on credit cards or exchange rate fees when you can transfer funds from your home country bank account to a Thai one.

Seriously people need to give it a rest spouting wrong advise and giving wrong information. Just because you don't have a need or wasn't able to do X Y Z it doesn't mean everyone else can't.

It's clear some people are getting more success than others, and that's all it is. Doesn't mean you can't!

If you would’ve hired a Visa agent, they could’ve taken care of all of it for you, I’ve already gotten an agent, when we get to Thailand in early November, she’s going to take care of everything for us

Any agent recommendations or how to find one you can trust?

I doubt they open a bank account for visa on arrival which is 15 days.

When you say all banks are you considering for one moment that every branch of every bank has its own rules. It's perfectly possible that you can go to a branch of a bank and get refused, go along the road to another branch of the same bank and get accepted. Plus the DTV is not a long term visa, it's a glorified tourist visa

I've tried to open an account on a tourist visa and was given a form to get signed by immigration. I now have a DTV and so I'm going to try again. From reading various posts a residency certificate is the solution, I believe 200tb

That's my approach, but others have reported getting a bank account opened without issue even on a tourist exemption, I guess it comes down to the bank and the manager. Yes agents can do it, but if its doable and only a bank account then it should be easy enough yourself, unless there are other reasons an agent can resolve for you.

Have you tried bangkok bank headquarter near saladaeng BTS?

I opened up an account last year on a 90 day visa. More than likely you are not going to immigration to get a paper for opening up bank accounts, that gives the bank your official address.

Welcome to Thailand enjoy your stay🤣

Why would you want a local bank account?

See an agent. Money makes anything happen in Thailand

An agent will have one opened on any visa no problems. Don't listen to these old fellas commenting. Somehow they still don't know how Thailands economy works becides living there, it's actually concerning 🤪🤪....

Thats Thailand... nothing makes any sence whatsoever. I could write a book about it

Go bank to bank until one has pity on your Falang soul….same same visa but different 🙏🏼

Pay an agent to help you. Bangkok bank will do it.

How many times a week are we gonna see this exact same post with only the names and locations differing? Buck up and pay an agent if it's too stressful for you. While you're in Pattaya have a beer 🍺 and cry the blues over a ladies drink with your companion.

With your 500K take 5000 baht and go to Pattaya where any number of agents will have an account for you by the afternoon.

Open through an agent

No Thai bank will open a bank account with Visa On Arrival / Exempt Tourist Visa - without help of an agent at aprox 5000 baht. Same for DTV i assume.

Buy it

Bank managers are paid to listen to foreigners ramblings. And by the way, The DTV visa is not a long-term visa.

I think you should just get a broker to help you for $100

As i understand a long term visa is a requirement based on my experience anyway, lived 16 years here and that’s what I’ve found,,

however there are workarounds that can get you a bank account,

I have 3 different th bank accounts and was denied at a Bangkok bank in one of the provinces when opening my second account, this was despite having a 1 year multi entry, I just asked them to contact their head office for clarification on the requirements , the application was then very quickly approved.

Maybe it’s worth trying from that angle, insist they seek clarification from their head office, many staff are uncertain of the requirements so easy option is “cannot”.

Yeah, banks will start drafting account opening policies when immigration introduces new visas.

Because the DTV is a glorified tourist visa. The rights are limited.

If you want a bank or more rights, you have to get a legit working visa or permit that expats have

Use an agent.

Try: Bangkok Bank (Sanpakoi Branch) CM.

Its good to hear that if i go travel to where you from as a Thai, that also difficult to open a bank account there right? So, please stop complaining and follow the rule.

Then cancel your DTV and get a visa exemption if you think that works. It doesn’t. But try it. Also, try applying under your real name and not Anonymous Participant.

A bank account on a VOA? Absolute rubbish! A VOA is only for 15 days, no bank will touch that!

“ALL”…means you tried to open a bank account in any bank /branch ? 🤪

Keep trying. Sooner or later you’ll find one.

Not all banks or branches open an account with visa exempt etc. In fact most people opening a bank account using these pay an agent. As for the DTV is is highly unlikely there have been any instructions from head office about them. A DTV is still just another type of Tourist Visa at the end of the day.

open a bank acct with a visa on arrival? nonsense

Well DTV visa you are not meant to be earning money within Thailand so you should not need a Thai bank account ! LOL It makes perfect sense actually! Also, don't be so sure you can get a bank account with a visa on arrival ~ it is not common and it "costs" a lot to get it done through an agency! No bank manager is going to feel the need to give you a Thai bank account when you are meant to be banking abroad because you are working remotely!