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expat financial tips
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So previously I had an education visa and opened an account with Krungthai. Everything works and I’ve had no problems at all.
However I wanted to move the Krungthai Next app to my new phone so I went in to ask if they could do it (because it would not let me login on my new phone without going in person)
First they asked straight away “visa”. I showed them my DTV and they were confused, speaking in Thai with each other then they called the call Center, as the visa I registered the bank account with was different.
At the end they basically said DTV holders aren’t meant to have a bank account so we can’t register you for the app on your new phone. However you can keep the bank account open and continue to use it.
So now I’m stuck with a very old phone just to use for scan pay.
Not ideal but better than nothing. If anyone has a work around or any advice I’d appreciate it. But yeah seems like they’re a lot stricter now
More and more foreigners in Thailand are facing the same nightmare: accounts suddenly frozen.
No warning. No access. No way to pay bills or even buy lunch.
So… what’s your Plan B?
✅ Smart Safeguards
Multi-Currency Debit Cards
Wise → [members only]/
Revolut → revolut.com
N26 → n26.com
Payoneer → payoneer.com
Remitly → remitly.com
Hold THB or auto-convert from USD/EUR at real rates. Add to Apple Pay/Google Pay → works at stores that accept contactless Visa/Mastercard (not PromptPay QR)
Works at ATMs and most Visa/Mastercard terminals (some Big C stores, larger retailers). Note: Wise/Revolut cards don’t work with Thailand’s local PromptPay QR system, but they do work where contactless Visa/Mastercard is accepted.
Keep an Overseas Account Active
Don’t close your home account. Link your Wise/Revolut card to spend in Thailand. Even if your local account freezes, you’re still liquid.
Fintech Platforms
Use Wise, Payoneer, or Remitly for cross-border bill payments and transfers. Faster and cheaper than SWIFT.
Local Anchors
Property ownership, marriage visas, or long-term visas give stronger eligibility. Banks are far less likely to target these than tourist accounts.
Split Your Risk
Don’t rely on one bank. Keep part overseas, part in fintech, part local. If one channel freezes, the others keep you going.
❄️ If Your Account Is Frozen
Call 1441 → press 2 (anti-scam/unfreeze hotline)
If unresolved, escalate via BOT hotline 1213 (Financial Consumer Protection Center).
File a complaint with BOT’s Financial Consumer Protection Center (FCC):
Call 1213 or email fcc@bot.or.th
Submit via BOT Helps & Complaints portal
[members only]
Include passport, account number, branch, visa, proof of address, and evidence of legitimate transactions.
Visit your original branch with:
Passport & visa docs
Proof of Thai address
Thai mobile number in your name
Bank statements / recent transaction evidence
Show proof of legal status (work, retirement, marriage, long-term visa).
Ask the bank to release only the “suspicious portion” of funds (per BOT guidance).
⚠️ Reality Check
Crackdowns on mule accounts and scams are driving this — but many innocent foreigners are caught in the net.
👉 Don’t wait until your account is frozen. Build your backup plan now.
If you are looking for a way to pull money outside atm or WU
Krungsri bank 200 baht fee off your US Debit and at rate for market. Bring passport quick and easy no ATM fee or foreign atm fee
** Edit just to clarify for the troll of the group Stewart Stuart Cumming a moderator they will only do this if you are wanting to pull over 60000 baht otherwise they will tell you to use ATM.
Sorry I assumed he would have common sense that if you were pulling lower amounts they would tell you to use ATM .. seems I forgot the nature of trolls on the net
I've just submitted my application for the DTV into the Thai Embassy in Canberra and was surprised to find the 10,000 THB fee charged as A$600 which at the current exchange rate is 12,600 THB! I have THB to pay with but the system only accepts A$.
Hello everyone, I'll be in Thailand on May 1st. I'd know about payment systems besides the classic cash. Is Wise working to pay in any shop and withdraw from any Atm?