I opened my Bangkok bank account with retirement visa 8 years ago, and I'm currently with a DTV. They updated my passport details and kept my savings account, they said I can't open any new account like a term deposit. This was central festival Samui.
I saw this at the friendship 4 bridge in mid January when I was going to Laos. Funnily enough it was at the outbound kiosks. I entered Thailand again a month later at Nong Khai, no issues.
Applied as business owner with the Sydney consulate last August, had to concatenate documents in a single file to supply them second time. Visa issued in around 2 weeks.
Mine was not closed, they just told me I can't open any new accounts like term deposits. The account was opened 8 years ago with a proper O-A visa. I guess like everything in Thailand the branches apply rules with variations. It would help if you have a Thai known by them to assist you.
BrilliantShark2789 I find it useful to time foreign transfers for good exchange rates. I transferred lots of AUD 2-3 years ago at 24 baht, now spending them...current rate is 21 baht. Had non-O when opened the account.
GlobalObserver🌏 Did you try to get a regular sim(not tourist) and port your number. I have 3 ordinary sim cards - 2 with DTAC and one with AIS, haven't received any messages regarding validity, topping up as needed. With DTAC the minimum top up is 20 baht, with AIS 10.
I wish, but reports from consulates and border show inconsistent application of rules. Seems that if there are way too many DTVs they may pull the plug or change the rules. Hopefully for us already with visas nothing changes.
It just doesn't make much economic sense. From what I've seen the DTV holders are definitely not from the affluent class in the west, they have limited spending power. The current DTV visa cost is a real bargain, I think most are prepared to spend more if required. Not long ago as far as I remember the Elite for 5 years was 500k, compare this to DTV which is around 12k in Australia.
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