Hi everyone! Question for fellow DTV visa holders in Thailand 🇹🇭

How are you handling money and daily payments?

Since we can’t open Thai bank accounts (as far as I know), and ATM withdrawals from foreign cards can get expensive, I’m curious what solutions you’ve found for spending, paying locally, or moving money around.

I'm planning to move from Bali in 2–3 months, so I’m trying to get a clear picture of what’s working well for others.

Would also love to hear about any other challenges you’ve faced with the DTV visa... or smart solutions you’ve figured out since arriving.

Appreciate any feedback. Thanks a lot! 🙏

DTV: Remote Worker

I want to Bank in the land of smile to make life easier but there were more frustration than smiles. Yes, there are other method but you may be prone to Scam using hard cash plus there isn't a paper trial.

I live near On Nut and I read the banks in Big C may be more forgiving so I gave it a try and here is my experience.

I tried TTB, SCB, Bangkok Bank

I called TTB at Digital Park which about 1 month ago told me to try head office and they now said no.

I have the following docs and they didn't even ask or take a look at any of my docs. I tried the supposedly magic words "Remote Worker" they don't care. They ask what Visa and the moment they hear DTV. It's a No Can KAA! or You have work permit? No Can KAA!

TM30

1 Year Condo Lease

Employment Contract

Tabian Baan "House Registration" signed by owner

Passport (American)

Phone Number Thai (Data & Phone)

DTV Remote Worker

I'm either going to try the True Money method with 20k limit

or use cash or wait until the whole banking thing cool down.

lmk if you know other method that would make life easier using QR.

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.

TrueMoney Scan & Pay Process for DTV Holders:

1. Register using your passport and a Thai phone number.

2. Apply to use all services—including Scan to Pay—by selecting “Verify using Non-Immigrant Visa” and uploading your DTV e-visa/stamp and Thailand entry stamp.

While you still need to withdraw cash and top up your wallet at 7-Eleven each time, it's still more convenient than using cash directly.

Takes about 2 working days for it to be approved.

For this DTV holders like me who failed to open a bank account. Have you tried or heard about Tag Thai? Seems like you can pay with QR code thanks to this app. Any feedback from anyone? I want to go tomorrow to subscribe. I dream of not having to go around with cash all the time.

Thanks 🙏

Not sure if you all are aware but you can get a fully verified TrueMoney account now with just passport and DTV - can accept and send QR/promptpay payments.

If you use the true money machines at mrt or true stores, can load up to 20k at a time. Max wallet balance 50k.

I hate cash and thai banks don’t seem to be an option now so this is the best solution imo.

Hi folks, since I cannot seem to get a Thai bank account with my DTV, I would like to register for a TrueMoney account, so at least I can have the convenience of paying for stuff with QR codes, even if I do have the faff of topping up the account using cash at Seven Eleven. Can anyone confirm that they have been able to open a TrueMoney account being on a DTV and using only your passport as ID. And can the registration all be done with the app, or will I need to actually go to a Seven Eleven when I arrive in Thailand next week? Thanks!

This can be a promising alternative to Thai Bank for those who have not been able to open Thai bank account.

If you’re having trouble opening a bank account, I just noticed that TrueMoney now supports PromptPay QR for tourists!

You can now easily send and receive payments using QR.

No need for third-party apps like Moerata or DeepPocket anymore.

Hello everyone. I see a lot of people asking about a bank account in Thailand.

If you are on a DTV visa it can be difficult to get a bank account.

I have been using an app called deep pocket and have had no issues.

You can pay rent with it. Any place that has a QR code option you can pay.

You can transfer to most Thai banks.

I think this can be useful for some people.

Edit. I forgot to mention you get a Thai card which is useful for online purchases. Thai netflix or other similar services.