Pick up on another site. Krunthai bank are actively closing accountshelp by DTV (tourist) visas, its a policy introduced 2025.

Bank limitations for DTV, response from Krungthai

My Krungthai account has stopped working today: card payments were declined, and the app is locked.

I opened this account while was on an ED visa (2024), and later (2025) switched to a DTV visa (workcation category for remote workers).

I visited a branch and spent about 2 hours resolving the issue.

The outcome was:

• The account itself works, and I can receive transfers

• My debit card was unlocked for online payments until its expiry date, so I can pay in Grab, online, and at stores.

However, the Krungthai NEXT (bank application) is still soft-locked: I cannot log in; the app shows: "Additional verification required, please visit a branch."

The branch teller informed me: "Since you are on a DTV visa, we cannot unlock your app unless you change your visa."

So, there is a lock: you can not login app because verification needed, you can not verify because of DTV is limited.

There is a response from krungthai support email:

Dear Mr. ***

Please be advised that Krungthai Bank has implemented updated conditions governing account opening for foreign nationals and authorization for the use of the Krungthai NEXT Application.

2. DTV Visa Restrictions: Please note that the bank currently does not accept new account openings for customers holding a DTV Visa, nor can this visa type be used for applying for other bank products or services.

These updated conditions are effective from April 3, 2025, and remain current.

The new policy entails the following key limitations, impacting both new and existing customers. New Account Opening is no longer permitted for foreign nationals holding student visas (specifically those attending language schools or special, non-degree courses).

Furthermore, for Existing Customers, this policy impacts service access in two main areas: if you encounter issues with the Krungthai NEXT Application and require identity re-verification to regain access, you will be unable to complete this process. Additionally, existing foreign customers are currently unable to issue a new or renew an expired Debit Card.

We again sincerely apologies that our branch staff were unable to provide the requested service. Please understand that our employees are strictly obligated to adhere to the rules and conditions established by the bank, ensuring consistent operational policy across all locations.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Krungthai Contact Center at 02-1111111 , 24 hours every day.

For more information and benefits, please kindly visit our Website or via application Line@Krungthai Connext

Sincerely yours,

Krungthai Contact Center

KrungThai Bank PCL.

I contacted to a few random agents, in hope that prob they have any workaround.

There are their responses:

#1:

Unfortunately, because the DTV is treated as a tourist-type visa, most Thai banks no longer allow DTV holders to open accounts, and some have recently begun deactivating tourist-visa accounts. This policy was updated recently, and based on what we have seen, it is unlikely to change soon.

#2:

That right for DTV visa it 's same tourist visa can't unlock. But you can used true money or if you have Thai friends can give they bank for you. I feel sad that I can't help you with this matter.🙏🙏🙏

So, it seems impossible to have a bank account on DTV at all, even existing ones will be limited. I had a hope that this won't occur to existing customers (like in my case: opened account on ED, then switched to DTV), but it did not work.

Quite sad that while being allowed to live and work remotely from a country for 5 years period you have no access the local banking.

Even re-issuing existing card is impossible (so if one day you will see fraudulent transactions, that may happen after any random data breach, like recent AirAsia one - you can either tolerate or block your card forever, e.g. lose ability to pay online).

According the Krungthai response, it seems that even ED visa holders will be affected (existing and new ones), just matter of time.

For Promptpay (QR payments) the workaround is to use TrueMoney app: after passing verification you will be able to pay by QR, receive money by QR, for both company and personal accounts. It may take A LOT of attempts to pass verification: attaching the same docs may lead to different outcomes: mine was verified from 1st attempt, my wife still can't pass it after >5 attempts.

Hi. I have a rather urgent question. I'm already on DTV under workcation. I'm an employee for a US company. So my application that I submitted to the Thai Embassy included my employment contract and also the authorization letter from my boss. And so Thailand therefore has the name of the company I work for on record. Having worked in Thailand as an employee of a US company, could the Thai Revenue Department argue that the company has a Permanent Establishment (PE) in Thailand and therefore will want to go after them for payment of any Thai corporate income taxes?

Everyone was so helpful in this group, I wanted to share my experience getting approval on my workcation/freelance DTV in Vientiane, Laos. It’s long, but hopefully helpful!

In advance of my arrival, I prepared all my documents.

Here’s everything I submitted, and I also submitted a cover page for each, explaining what I was including.

Financial Documents

1/ Bank Statement Summaries for three months (includes ending balance).

(I also offered them full bank statements (17 pages!) with all transactions, but they didn’t request them)

2/ Payments from clients (past three months)

3/ Client letters confirming self-employment status and that none of them were based in Thailand or had any offices there, along with 1099s (independent contractor tax form)

4/ Tax Return from 2024 (to show business income)

Professional Portfolio

1/ Cover letter explaining why I wanted to be in Thailand. Again, I mentioned I had no clients with business in Thailand, that I would be working remotely. I also mentioned wanting to immerse myself in the culture.

2/ Portfolio (I’m a freelance copywriter, so it was samples of client work, and an explanation of my role in the project)

3/ Resume

Proof that I was in Laos:

1/ Photo of plane ticket with arrival in Laos

2/ Photo of passport page with Laos entry stamp

3/ Hotel receipt

Tuesday, 11/11, arrived in Laos and submitted all documents online. PRINT OUT the payment voucher.

Wednesday 11/12, I went to the Embassy of Thailand (15 Rue Bourichane) to pay the $10,000 baht.

They open at 9am, but get there early! I was there at 8:45am and there were already 5 people in front of me. Go to the bank window, present your payment voucher and baht. They’ll stamp your voucher, but you don’t get any receipt.

Thursday, 11/13, they asked for a clearer passport page, and the full page of the passport page with entry stamp (I’d only sent the entry stamp). Respond quickly to any requests for additional information.

Friday, 11/14. I received my request for interview for Monday, 11/17! Just to be on the safe side, I printed out all my bank statements, and everything else I’d submitted.

Monday, 11/17. Interview at 10am. Again, go EARLY. They give the same time slot to multiple people.

The interview was 10 minutes at most: What are your plans while you’re in Thailand, wanted to see online bank balance, and again see client payments. I showed my website, explained my business, and where I’d be living in Thailand. I was told if I’d been approved, I’d hear by 2pm, and the answer was yes!

So amazingly, the whole process took less than a week!

I should mention that I applied before in August (Washington, DC Embassy) and was denied because my 500,000 baht had only been in my account for 2, not 3 months. I was offered the Multiple Entry Visa, which I declined. Having applied and been rejected before had no impact on this application in Laos.

Hi All

I’m a Uk national 43 yrs old have been married to my Thai wife (dual national) for 20 years now and have one son (dual national) we have lived in the uk since 2005 ish.

She has a home in Phuket town that we can reside in and have been to Thailand more times than can count now and for long durations as can work remotely.

Toying with the idea of us leaving the UK and relocating in Phuket full time.

As they are both Thai nationals they are fine but what would be best visa for me? Best visa to start with and for the long duration etc.

We have both married officially in the UK and married in Phuket via the Muslim ceremony etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I'll be working remotely from Thailand for 2-3 months. Given it's a relatively short stay, do I actually need a DTV visa? I'm going in a month so a bit wary if I apply now I may not get it in time

Does anyone have any experience with handling the taxes that we remotely workers are supposed pay if we stay longer that 180 days?

I have a question, I would like to travel around Thailand for a year, I am 45 years old, I have 29,000 euros, is this possible with a DTV visa?

Hi everyone!

I currently have a Non-B visa as I’m working in Thailand, but I’ll be leaving this job in December. From January, I’ll be working remotely for a UK company, so I plan to apply for the DTV.

I’m trying to plan ahead and would really appreciate some advice:

– Is it okay to apply soon after my Non-B visa is cancelled, or should I wait a certain amount of time?

– Does anyone recommend a particular place to apply? I was thinking London as I’ll be back there over Christmas.

– Should I keep the 500,000 baht in my account from now so it’s been there for a few months before I apply?

Any tips or experiences would be really appreciated!

Business owner in USA, need to write a letter, this is what I've come up with, obviously redacted. How does this look?

"[NAME]

[ADDRESS]

[CONTACT INFO]

Email: [EMAIL]

Phone: [PHONE]

Date: [DATE]

Royal Thai Embassy

[EMBASSY ADDRESS]

(Submitted via Hanoi Embassy Processing)

Subject: Self-Employment Letter for Destination Thailand Visa (Workcation Category)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I, [NAME], am the sole founder, owner, and operator of [BUSINESS NAME], a well-established enterprise registered in the United States ([BUSINESS ID]). I established the company single-handedly in [FOUNDING YEAR], and over the past two decades, it has evolved into a robust operation based in [LOCATION], delivering top-tier services to a diverse, international clientele, with all revenue sourced exclusively from non-Thai markets.

I am applying for the Destination Thailand Visa to manage my business remotely from Thailand, drawing on my extensive expertise in entrepreneurship and remote leadership.

As the visionary who built [BUSINESS NAME] from scratch, I oversee all critical aspects remotely, including financial management (such as bill payments and credit transactions), staff compensation through secure digital platforms, innovative marketing to expand my global client base, and comprehensive operational coordination.

These duties are performed entirely online using advanced tools like email, cloud-based systems, and virtual communication, ensuring I maintain full control without any need for a physical presence in Thailand or engagement in local work.

On-site daily operations in [LOCATION], such as client scheduling and equipment upkeep, are expertly handled by my brother, [BROTHER'S NAME], who serves as the on-site manager, guaranteeing smooth functionality while I focus on strategic oversight from afar.

My income is derived solely from [BUSINESS NAME], with regular weekly transfers of [WEEKLY AMOUNT] from the business account to my personal account at [BANK NAME], yielding an annual income of approximately [ANNUAL AMOUNT].

Additionally, I maintain a substantial personal savings balance of [SAVINGS AMOUNT] at [BANK NAME], as evidenced by the enclosed bank statements, tax returns, and supporting financial documents.

These resources affirm my financial independence and ability to sustain myself during my stay in Thailand.

I solemnly affirm that my professional activities fully comply with Thai immigration regulations, as all income originates outside Thailand from non-Thai sources, and I will not participate in any local employment, business ventures, or services within Thailand.

I am fully committed to adhering to all visa conditions and am prepared to submit additional documentation, such as my business registration or further financial proof, if required.

Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of enriching Thailand's dynamic workcation community while continuing to expand my business remotely. Please feel free to contact me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE] for any additional information.

Sincerely,

[Your Handwritten Signature if Printed]

[NAME]

Owner, [BUSINESS NAME]

Update: I submitted the document they asked for today and I just got it approved.

Hello, I am currently in Hanoi and submitted my documents for the DTV visa. But they have requested supporting documents. I work as a online E-Commerce manager for a UK company and already submitted my contract with the company I am working for including several term changes where salary increases are stated.

What should I give them now?

- resume?

- screenshots from Shopify, Klaviyo and GA?

- work mail?

- registration is visible online on the gov.uk site would this be sufficient?

*Support Document*

*1 . Employment contract or employment certificate in their country or professional portfolio showcasing digital nomad, remote worker, foreign talent or freelancer status (Business registration of company you're currently working with. *

Not really looking to spend much longer here in Hanoi.

Many thanks!