I can't even open a bank account in Thailand but yet I'm expected to pay Thai tax?

[Puccini]

On 4/25/2025 at 9:30 AM, Rolo89 said:

On the DTV and was planning on paying Thai tax, but since tightening the rules on banking it's impossible to get a bank account until you have a work permit.

 

My DTV allows working for my foreign company remotely in Thailand, but how can they expect me to pay Thai tax if I'm not even allowed to open a bank account?

 

Thailand, respectively the country's Revenue Department, does not "expect" you to pay taxes. It either sends you a tax bill or it doesn't. If it does, ask it to give you a letter addressed to the bank of your choice recommending that the bak open an account for you. Alternatively, you may pay your taxes in cash.

[Puccini]

On 4/25/2025 at 9:30 AM, Rolo89 said:

On the DTV and was planning on paying Thai tax, but since tightening the rules on banking it's impossible to get a bank account until you have a work permit.

 

My DTV allows working for my foreign company remotely in Thailand, but how can they expect me to pay Thai tax if I'm not even allowed to open a bank account?

 

Thailand, respectively the country's Revenue Department, does not "expect" you to pay taxes. It either sends you a tax bill or it doesn't. If it does, ask it to give you a letter addressed to the bank of your choice recommending that the bak open an account for you. Alternatively, you may pay your taxes in cash.

[Puccini]

@Rolo89  A Tip: next time you walk into a bank, don't ask about opening a bank account. Instead, ask about opening a savings account.

 

It may sound strange, but in Thai banking lingo, most times a bank employee hears "bank account" he jumps to the conclusion that you mean a current account.

[Alexjkr]

1 hour ago, Puccini said:

@Rolo89  A Tip: next time you walk into a bank, don't ask about opening a bank account. Instead, ask about opening a savings account.

 

It may sound strange, but in Thai banking lingo, most times a bank employee hears "bank account" he jumps to the conclusion that you mean a current account.

I have have had a Kasikorn account going on for 11 or 12 years. I am only a tourist and use it to send money to Thailand when I am on holiday. I did notice that when ever I log on or use an ATM it says Savings Account but appears to work like a current account. So what exactly is the difference between a current and a savings account?

[AboutThaim]

When I was refused a bank account at Kasikorn I asked to speak to an English speaker.  On the phone I asked how was I supposed to have money in the bank as required by immigration (400,000 baht) if I couldn't open a bank account.  He thought about it and decided I could open a bank account and spoke to the local female that refused me an account.  She lost face and did all she could to make things difficult for me but I eventually got the account and internet banking.

[Upnotover]

7 hours ago, Alexjkr said:

So what exactly is the difference between a current and a savings account?

A Kasikorn Current account has a cheque book and no passbook.  I never met anyone ever who has one, everyone has a Savings account.

[frank83628]

2 friends have DTV, both opened accounts. This was Surat thani province.

[Blueman1]

19 hours ago, flexomike said:

and you have done this three times on  a DTV visa

YES I HAVE !!

[Blueman1]

9 hours ago, Puccini said:

 

Thailand, respectively the country's Revenue Department, does not "expect" you to pay taxes. It either sends you a tax bill or it doesn't. If it does, ask it to give you a letter addressed to the bank of your choice recommending that the bak open an account for you. Alternatively, you may pay your taxes in cash.

Alternatively, you may pay your taxes in cash.....That's IF You have ANY.......CASH !!

[topt]

16 hours ago, Puccini said:

Thailand, respectively the country's Revenue Department, does not "expect" you to pay taxes. It either sends you a tax bill or it doesn't.

Not so normally. The tax system here is more akin to an "honour"system.

Either you file, and if necessary pay, or you don't and wait to see if they may call round and question you at some point............

[Everyman]

On 4/25/2025 at 11:54 PM, Dexxter said:

 

I agree. Imagine having to bend the rules so you can put YOUR money into a bank that can then make life difficult for you, or even keep your money, because you "broke the rules". Not worth the risk.

 

I have never bothered getting a bank account in Thailand although my wife does have one into which I remit funds from overseas. I don't have the urgent need to use QR codes or even my credit card. I just use cash for everything, my wife pays our utilities from her account and I pay the monthly rent using Wise for direct transfers from my overseas account to the landlord. Who needs a bank?

 

Apparentjy your wife needs one. You’re just using her account.