Hi Group,

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their contributions. I’d like to share my experience so far, along with a question and a disappointment I’ve encountered.

I applied for the Online DTV visa from Istanbul on December 3, 2024, and my visa was approved on December 20, 2024, by the Thai Embassy in Ankara. I’m currently in Bangkok and working through the process to obtain my Thai driver’s license. I’m planning to get it later this week.

Everything was going smoothly until I hit a major problem. For about a week now, every bank I’ve approached has refused to open a bank account for me. They all claim that due to regulations, accounts cannot be opened for those with the DTV visa type. I started this DTV journey after reading in this group about others who successfully opened bank accounts with a DTV visa, but now the banks seem to have changed their policies, leaving me in a difficult position.

Why is someone with a 5-year visa, planning to purchase a car and a condo, unable to open a bank account? How is it practical to rely solely on ATMs for transactions over such a long period? This situation has significantly disrupted my plans and is extremely disappointing.

To be honest, if I had known I wouldn’t be able to open a bank account, I would never have started the DTV process. Financial control is very important to me, and keeping my money outside the country I’m living in adds unnecessary costs that I don’t want to bear. I deeply regret my decision now.

If anyone has faced the same issue and found a solution, or can point me toward a bank branch willing to help with opening an account, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

NEW TAX LAWS

Have been told that any gifts (up to 20 million baht) p.a.are exempt from new tax laws ,so if a foreigner gives his wife money there is no tax applicable

Do I file this in the too good to be true drawer

So my buddy asked me this question and I don't know the answer. He is an American citizen here on a retirement Visa. Will social security deposit his monthly payment directly in his Bangkok bank account. Any Americans know this one. Thanks