Hey everyone,

With all the recent headlines about bank accounts for foreigners being shut down, I thought it might be helpful to share how I’ve set things up personally here in Thailand.

I’m currently living in Thailand on a DTV visa and have a Thai phone number (super easy to sort—just head to any big mall).

I’ve started using the TrueMoney app and honestly, the setup couldn’t have been easier. As an accountant, I’m big on tracking personal expenses, and TrueMoney’s built-in statement feature is perfect for this. It lets you clearly see money in and out—really handy for monthly reviews.

The app itself is incredibly fast and user-friendly. I’ve yet to find a place that doesn’t accept it—7-Eleven, malls, petrol stations, markets—anywhere with a QR code scanner seems to work flawlessly.

How I top up my account:

I use the TrueMoney kiosks, which are dotted around all the major cities. You can deposit up to 20,000 THB per transaction.

As a UK national with a UK bank account, here’s my process:

1. Find a major bank ATM.

2. Withdraw 20,000 THB using my Wise card (decent exchange rate + 220 THB ATM fee, which is about 1.1% of my withdrawal—not too bad).

3. Head to a TrueMoney kiosk and deposit the cash.

4. Use TrueMoney as my ‘day-to-day bank account.’

It’s technically not a bank account, but it gives me everything I need—no need to carry cash, easy digital payments, and everything’s trackable for budgeting purposes. The convenience and speed of QR payments make everyday spending a breeze.

Hope this helps a few of you out!

*I'm posting anonymously as i'm quite a private person and don't like the idea of people looking at my profile haha! But happy to help out any questions as and when needed.

Hi. As you may know, the Thai government has introduced a regulation requiring that every bank account must be linked to a phone number registered under the account holder’s name. From what I’ve read, the deadline is today. Unfortunately, I won’t make it in time because it can’t be done online and you have to go to a branch. Does anyone know what the consequences will be?

Just found this message logging into my krungsri account with browser. Anyone an idea what this means or reason Krungsri stops online banking service registration now as not opening any bank accounts to farangs like the other bank branches in Thailand?

If you are asked to come in for an interview, and they ask to see your bank balance, can I just pull it up on the mobile app on my phone?

Do they ask to see the actual statements through the mobile app, or do they reference names and account numbers from the mobile app? Or is it just a quick balance check?

On my mobile banking app it doesn't even say a name or anything. It just has my balance and account number.

Im relocating to Thailand using my DTV but I want to maintain my UK mobile number without the crazy costs.

Has anyone used any of these VOIP services where you can port your number to them, and via their app you can make and receive calls / sms messages.

Do they accept bank mobile bank statements or they want it to have stamp. I am currently in Bali and i can’t have stamp on my bank statement but it has enough balance. I also have $30K in my PayPal can i show that as well. I wanna apply in Jakarta

Hi. When applying DTV in Vientiane, I heard you need show 500k balance in mobile bank application? I don’t have mobile bank application, only bank statements. Anybody know how does the process go?

Also would net liqudation value proof from eg. IBKR broker be accepted?

To those who earlier replied to a question about paying PEA with BKK that it is not possible you are wrong. I pay PEA every month with BKK but you gotta use the web version of BKK. In the PEA app you select BKK - then log on on the web version BKK and you will see the amount and everything else is already filled out and you just approve it - quite easy and only takes a couple of minutes but it is stupid that you can't use the BKK app. Krungsri app doesn't work either.

How can I pay my first electric bill from the Provinicial Electricity Authority (PEA) from my Bangkok Bank account mobile app. When I scan the barcode or scan\pay icon, I get the error message, "This payee is not found."

Looks like 7-Eleven will be the least complicated option. On their website, the show Bangkok bank but I can't find it in the mobile app.

[[members only])

The only PEA apps I see in the Android store is PEA Privilege and PEA VOLTA.

Update:

So, I changed the address on my google account to Pattaya and was able to get access to the Android Play store. I scanned the PEA SMART+ scan code on the back of the bill to bring up the app and was able to install it. Once in the app, selected "Add location" and entered the info for the condo I am renting. This will be two fields from your bill near the top of the bill: CA/Ref. No.1 and PEA No.

Sorry for no screenshots because the app won't allow it. There is a sample picture when you get to this screen showing the location of these fields and values.

It found my bill and went to pay it with Bangkok Bank and it gave me the error message, " transaction not allowed outside of transaction hours" or something like that!

I will try again tomorrow to see if this can be accomplished for us Bangkok Bank people in Pattaya Jomtien.

New phone, same Thai SIM, out of Thailand, access to BKB App ?

Hi there..

I am currently visiting familly in Switzerland for next 2 months, and I use my BKB App here with no problems. In my mobile phone bought in Thailand long time ago, I have my Swiss SIM card and my Thai SIM card (activated for international roaming before leaving Thailand, in case).

I would like to buy a new phone here in Switzerland, insert in it my 2 SIM cards (Swiss and Thai) and transfer 100% data from old to new phone. Does somebody know whether I will continue to be able to open and use my BKB App with my new phone here in Switzerland ? I am scared of BKB not "recognising" my new phone (yet still my Thai number SIM in it) and not allowing me to open and use the BKB App while here in Switzerland.

What is your experience or thought ?