Tips for DTVers once they’ve arrived. Long but I hope this helps somebody.

eSIM:

I use AIS. Got a “AIS LUCKY TOURIST SIM, Internet 2 Baht/MB. Call any network 1 Baht/min. VDO Call 2 Baht/ min. SMS 3 Baht. MMS 5 Baht. (VAT excluded)” and stopped by a booth at BKK and had them help me activate it. This also gives you a local Thai number.

Originally got a 30day unlimited data pkg. Don’t need a voice package because the sim allows local calls for 1B/minute. The other charges don’t really matter because it’ll use data. Didn’t see a long term unlimted data plan after my 30 days so I opted for “Net Marathon Max! 2,750 Baht (VAT included), 100GB/month Internet at 15Mbps speed. valid 12months”. Never came close to using 100gb/month and speed was plenty fast for me. 2750B for the year!

VPN:

Comes in handy. Connect to stream stuff in your home country.

QR code/scan to pay:

You need a Thai bank account for this. Which DTVers can’t get. Or…Use the TrueMoney app. Sign up then apply for the “Advanced Account”. Once approved it gives you 30 personal scans/mo free. After 30 it’s a nominal fee per scan. I’ve never gone over 30. You can easily add money to the account at 7-11 (and other not as easy places). 7-11 limits you to adding 3000B at a time but yesterday I added another 1000 right after. So not really a limit I suppose. Paying at bigger established merchants do not count to towards the 30.

You can also tie the app to Grab which makes life easier. Auto-pays for rides, food, etc. Does not count towards the 30 scans. Just make sure you have a big enough balance.

I also recommend getting their virtual credit card within the app. It’s a Thai issued credit card which comes in handy. No fee (I think) and deducts from your normal balance. Might only be an advanced account feature.

Streaming services:

As long as you have a Thai number, everything is cheaper subscribing in Thailand. (Except for Google AI Pro, what’s that all about?). Netflix was easy to tie to a credit card. Through my AIS eSIM I got a Prime Video and HBO package. That is being deducted from my AIS balance (which I top off with a credit card through the app). YouTube premium had to be charged to a Thai credit card. I used my TrueMoney virtual card. 🙂 That’s as far as I’ve gone so far.

The virtual card also came in handy when I had to pay for extra baggage on Thai Air. Over the phone they wouldn’t take a US Visa or MC. I did have to run to 7-11 and top up the balance first.

Getting around:

Bolt is usually cheaper than Grab. Grab is auto deducted from my TrueMoney. Bolt is cash but I usually scan to pay. Everyone has a QR code. Ive taken a bunch of rides from each platform. Sometimes the driver will cancel but I’ve never had any scam issues you read about.

Bangkok specific getting around:

BTS I got a “Rabbit” pass at the ticket booth and added money to it. Just tap at entry and exit. Don’t need to worry about individual tickets. Need a passport to sign up though.

MRT you can tap your credit card (even US ones) at entry and exit if it has the touchless chip.

Bus I use Google Maps to get the route. Pay attention to the bus numbers as they approach and flag down the right one. Board and the ticket taker will come to you. Show/tell them the stop and pay them. Coins and 20s here. Don’t use 50s or 100s. Hit the buzzer when your stop is approaching.

I think that’s about it for now.

I was previously using True Money Wallet. But we switched from Non-O to DTV and they won’t let me use. Any other scan pay app recommendations? My husband a bank account, but they only allow 1 person on banking app.

Is there any QR Pay app for payments that I can easily access as foreigner?

In the "more" category, I'm drifting towards a cashless world, which for me is cool, I noticed that Lotus had an online app, so I added it, setup was going well until it said "You need to verify your account by taking your passport to the local store". Which i did and to my surprise they knew what to do. Looks like trying to make sure scammers dont eat lol.

Morning. Would be great some informations because I’m not really sure.

I’m currently in Thailand and I have the DTV. I read that it was possible, to open a Thai bank account with this visa type. So I went to Bangkok bank here in krabi and they said that is not longer possible with the DTV.

The only reason to have a Thai bank account for now is only because then I could pay with promptpay and don’t need so much cash. It’s only a comfortable thing.

My setup: I’m German. I have a German bank account and a Revolut account. With Revolut I can do transfers to Thailand using swift. Costs a little fee, but this is ok.

And now the question: Is there any way to use digital payment in Thailand without Thai bank account? Or is there a way to get one?

How do others do? Thanks for all answers:)

Any one use promptpay. I got caught out at a restaurant yesterday with not the correct amount so they wanted me to use the scan qr code. Any one used this. I believe can use non Thai banks but expensive fees. I can register a BKK bank account but means visiting a branch.

Is it really still no coins deposit machines in Thailand !! not even at banks!

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