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.

Have herd on a page yesterday that bank accounts need to be opened for 6 months before they will issue a financial letter for immigration for a extension. The person will now have to leave the country and obtain a new Non O visa.

Although it doesn't break immigration rules by having your money in for 2 months.

Does anyone know how true this is. I am going to hopefully have a married visa and hopefully the bank will look different on a marriage extension, then the retirement extension.

Thank

Questions:

1) If an account is closed because you don't t meet the requirements, is the remaining funds returned?

2) What are the possible reasons why a bank keeps a customer's money after closing the account?

3) Is the refund immediate, or does it take days, weeks, months, or years?

Thank you for your answers, great as always.🙏🙏

Read the last paragraph if you have a frozen account.

I know the freezing of funds for visa related bank balance certificate at Bangkok bank has been done to death, but I was in my local Kabinburi branch and decided to see what they said, they told me pretty much what's already been shared, however, they then said it did not apply to my account because its older than 4 years. It will be probably different when I apply for it.

UPDATE: Girlfriend went to the branch today, it was carnage as it was a branch specific notification she was number 75 in the queue and they were on number 20. At the same time i got through to the Bangkok bank call centre who gave me the direct line for the branch.

Upshot is they had 3 staff dealing with all of the enquiries. My girl was told that after the 30 days the account is closed no exceptions. When I get back I have to present bank book and I'd and they will return my funds and open a new account if I have a long term visa.

As I will have a non o I will go to another bank as I now have money sitting in no man's land for months

Good morning. I know the subject of Bangkok bank has been done to death but bear with me. I opened an account in January visa exempt using an agent. I use the account to transfer money to my girlfriend but it was mainly in preparation for my non o based on over 50. I am currently selling up in Australia and will get my non o here once I have a buyer for my house. Yesterday I got the dreaded 30 days to present at the branch notification. I won't be able to do this within the time but when I do I will have a non o stamp, Thai drivers licence etc.

My question is will they close the account after the 30 days with no contact? And if so can I retrieve the balance once I get to Thailand?

Or will the account simply be suspended pending my documents which it already is effectively as I can't move money in the app.

I have called the help desk but I imagine they are getting smashed due to the number of people who got the notification yesterday. So I hope someone has had experience of this previously. Thank you in advance.

Some advice, there’s a Bank at Chang Wattana that has changed its policy and requires you to deposit the required visa funds for four months even though Immigration law requires two. If you don’t they will not issue your certificate of balance letter unless you give them the deposit to use for four months after you get your visa. Not a big issue but be prepared.

Surprised today going to Bangkok Bank asking to open a bank account based on a 90 day O visa and holding the document provided from the immigration office.

There answer was that they don’t open anymore account to foreigners even though I explained that I am not on a tourist visa but a O non immigrant one .

My second attempt was going to Krungsri and all looks well. They copied all my documents and they will call me in two days.

I was told by my visa agent today that if I deposit 500,000 into my Bangkok Bank Account, they will hold that money for 90 to 120 days. Regardless of where it came from or where it is going.

If that is true, What the Fck is going on here?

I have seen reports that differ... Can anyone comment with actual first hand knowledge of the situation? Please don't waste my time with comments that are unrelated to the question asked.

Have a great day.

I see now that immigration requires a letter from your Thai bank stating that your balance has come from overseas. Is this a long process or can they do it for you immediately.