To all DTV holders:

Is anyone else unable to open or even keep a normal Thai bank account? (Well, don’t all answer at once!)

My Bangkok Bank account (opened legally in 2022) is currently frozen due to a SIM update issue, and I was informed that after standard KYC it may be permanently closed solely because I hold a DTV visa without a work permit.

Before anyone suggests Wise, Revolut or other workarounds – that is not the point!

I am not looking for hacks. I want to function as a NORMAL person with a local Thai bank account in the country where I legally live and spend my own money!

Forcing legal long-stay residents into cash-only or fintech-only solutions contradicts AML goals and personal safety.

I have filed a complaint with the Bank of Thailand.

If you experience the same issue, please comment or submit your complaint too – nothing changes unless enough of us speak up.

EDIT: The only thing that has any real effect is filing formal complaints, not arguing online.

For anyone interested, here are the official contacts:

Bank of Thailand – Consumer Protection:

contact@bot.or.th

Tourism Authority of Thailand

tatcontact@tat.or.th

You can add your embassy in copy.

You submit your complaint directly there, attach a brief explanation of the issue. Public pressure only works when combined with official action — individual silence or arguing online changes nothing.