Finance Foreign Nationals Face Account Bans in Bangkok Bank Crackdown

[sandyf]

19 minutes ago, Dart12 said:

yes, foreigners can open bank accounts in both USA and UK .  Not an issue to do.

May come as a surprise but foreigners and tourists are not the same thing.

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, petermik said:

Doubtful... have you actually tried or just speculating 🤔 

"most likely" 

[Captain Flack]

A post not in English has been removed.

[madone]

brilliant plan, except the most mule accounts are using local names.

[K2938]

https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/bangkok-bank-tightens-rules-for-foreign-customers-without-long-term-visas/

[stevenl]

10 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Farang Mule accounts?......A Mules azz......

 

The huge a vast majority of mule accounts involved in scams that make the news, are opened by Thais for Thai scammers or opened by Thais for the Chinese or some other foreigners scammers....

 

I cant recall the last time I heard of a farang opening a mule account in their own name for the purpose of running a scam.....Its so rare it almost does not happen..
 

Even though about 99% of the mule account scams involve Thais.......Lets crack down on the farangs.........lol

 

So in truth the purpose of all this has almost zero to do with finding or stopping the real mule account openers...

Don't confuse foreigners as mentioned in the article with farang as you mention.

[rumeaug]

as mentioned in some comments. True, the immense majority of mule accounts are opened and used by Thai scammers (In the news. Not a week, or day, without some thai scam gang or other getting caught with mule accounts). Cheers

[smedly]

when a visa agent can open an account in your name - get a letter of funds deposited for extensions (no seasoning) then close the account minutes later makes a mockery of any banking rules, it is a joke

[ThreeCardMonte]

Glad I chose Kasikorn over BB when I opened my account appropriately 10 years ago using my newly issued OA visa.  Annual extensions using the 65k plus transfer every month via WISE.

 

BB may of been more beneficial to U.S. citizens as they allow direct deposit of government pensions via their New York branch routing number.

 

I wanted no part of that.  Prefer to have my money going directly into my USA bank and transfer when I decide.

 

Now, with my LTR-WP Visa (10 years) it’s even better.

No annual extensions.

No 90 day reporting.

No re-entry permits.

Fast track at Swampy, entering and exiting.

 

Approximately 9/3, Thailand/USA.  Condo and car await my return.

 

 Don’t burn your bridges back home.

 

 

[NanLaew]

11 hours ago, CHdiver said:

So at the moment it is just Bangkok Bank. That was the favorite Bank for all Agents to open Accounts. Looks like they have a lot of dodgy accounts. My account is with SCB, opened many years ago with a WP. Now just a tourist. However no funny numbers of money going in or out. So I guess I may be safe there. Passport up to date with the bank and my phone number is registerd with bank and phone company. So lets see if they widen the restriction to other Banks or not.

 

So you think Bangkok Bank has a lot of dodgy accounts?

 

It was a branch of SCB in Pattaya where the four employees were found to be involved with improperly setting up accounts for foreigners who did not qualify.

 

9 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

Bash the foreigners to punish the actions of a few Thai bank staff, that's retarded.

 

That's quite a blinkered view. Just as some Thai bank employees may be dishonest, I would suggest the amount of dishonest foreigners living in Thailand is far, far higher.

 

2 hours ago, technoronin said:

Yet another change that makes Thailand more of a hassle for regular tourists.  Are they trying to chase tourist traffic to other countries?  This is after complaining about tourist numbers being down.  I was planning on getting a retirement visa this summer, but maybe I should just look for a different country to retire to.  I'm sure I would be welcome in The Philippines.

 

Why does a bona fide tourist need a bank account in any country where he doesn't live?

[Seagull Sam]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

a case in Pattaya where four bank staff...were implicated in opening mule accounts for call centre scams.

Unless and until the Thai authorities stop blaming foreigners for their own short-sighted shortcomings they will continue to wring their hands as they leach money to their neighbours in the region. 

I have worked hard all my life to spend my pension pot in Thailand, now it appears they don't want it. 

[Aussie999]

1 hour ago, petedk said:

I am a British citizen but haven't lived in England for 40 years, but go there at least once a year and recently I received a check for 90,000 GBP, but could I open a bank account in England? No.

 

I lived in Denmark for 20 years and have children there  and go there 1 or 2 times a year, but when I came to Thailand I was forced to close my "convenience" bank account in Denmark and transfer all the money to Thailand. I then opened a sterling account with a Thai bank where I could deposit my check.

 

Why should tourists and short term stayers in Thailand need a bank account? 

At ATM you pay 220 baht each withdrawal... There's one good reason.

Also, if want to change to some long term visas, you need to show funds in a Thai bank, that's 2 good reasons

[harryviking]

10 hours ago, Peabody said:

Well, this is a rug pull for those who thought they might get a bank account with their 5-year, Big$$ DTV.

LOL! DTV is a joke and just a way to suck your pockets dry! Not worth the money!

[Hanuman2547]

I'm glad I got my Bangkok Bank account some 32+ years ago.  Sounds like a difficult time to get a bank account there now.

[jaywalker2]

1 hour ago, Dart12 said:

yes, foreigners can open bank accounts in both USA and UK .  Not an issue to do.

 

According to Grok: 

Yes, tourists can open bank accounts in the United States, but the process and requirements vary by bank and account type. Here’s a concise overview:

Eligibility: Many banks allow non-residents, including tourists, to open accounts, but some require a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Others accept alternative IDs like a passport or foreign driver’s license.

Requirements:

Identification: A valid passport is typically required. Some banks may also ask for a secondary ID, such as a driver’s license or a U.S. visa.

Proof of Address: You may need to provide a U.S. address (e.g., a hotel or temporary residence) or, in some cases, a foreign address.

Visa Status: While not always mandatory, some banks prefer customers with a valid U.S. visa (e.g., tourist visa like B-2).

Minimum Deposit: Many banks require an initial deposit, ranging from $25 to $1,000, depending on the account type.

Bank Options:

Major banks like Bank of America, Chase, or Wells Fargo often allow non-residents to open accounts, but requirements can be stricter.

Online banks or fintechs like Wise, Revolut, or international banks (e.g., HSBC) may offer accounts tailored for non-residents with fewer hurdles.

Credit unions and smaller banks may have more flexible policies but could require local residency.

Challenges:

Some banks may restrict account types for non-residents (e.g., checking or savings only, no credit products).

Without an SSN or ITIN, options are limited, and some banks may reject applications.

Tourists on short-term visas might face additional scrutiny due to anti-money laundering regulations.

Practical Tips:

Research banks in advance and contact them to confirm non-resident policies.

Consider online or international banks for easier access.

Be prepared to provide documentation and possibly visit a branch in person.

If you need specific bank recommendations or details for a particular state, let me know!

[hotchilli]

I would have thought those who open multiple bank accounts for nefarious reasons are Thai nationals, tourists really don't need that many unless they are rogues using Thais to front a business.

[Ricky HKT]

It is already quiet in the hotels... This will lead to more departures.

And it will also lead to more cash in the system , and cash transactions.

[norsurin]

Not surprised at all.Be careful..their coming for u now.Next is ur condo etc etc

Don't think ur safe because ur a expat with the right visa.

U cant trust this country at all.

[digger70]

 Foreign Nationals Face Account Bans in Bangkok Bank Crackdown.

 

Nothing new , it's happening in other countries as well.

Just a few weeks ago my Bank in Aus  asked   to Legally verify  a document And or Passport   and Email a Copy   to my Bank in Aus.

It's now a Legal requirement they say that every bank maintains correct and current information about their customers. 

It's not only the Banks , Wise  and  TorFX  in  Aus  asked for Updates a while  ago as well.

[NanLaew]

20 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I would have thought those who open multiple bank accounts for nefarious reasons are Thai nationals, tourists really don't need that many unless they are rogues using Thais to front a business.

 

This MENSA moment brought to you by...

[Sydebolle]

Given the quality of media in 2025 ................ is there anybody out there who has the slightest clue of what collateral damage such "bank news" generate? 

There are many more crooks, in percentage as well as in absolute numbers, among the local population so clean up the whole act in one go. The bureaucracy of Thailand is world top yet cannot stop all those "irregularities", really? 

[Toby1947]

Cash is and always will be King. 

[Faranginthai]

3 hours ago, technoronin said:

Yet another change that makes Thailand more of a hassle for regular tourists.  Are they trying to chase tourist traffic to other countries?  This is after complaining about tourist numbers being down.  I was planning on getting a retirement visa this summer, but maybe I should just look for a different country to retire to.  I'm sure I would be welcome in The Philippines.

There is no issue of a foreigner opening a bank account as a holder of a 'retirement visa'. 

And as an aside, in all the years of touring / visiting other  countries I have  never had need or an inkling to open a local bank account 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

when a visa agent can open an account in your name - get a letter of funds deposited for extensions (no seasoning) then close the account minutes later makes a mockery of any banking rules, it is a joke

Good job they can as the rules are stupid, can't open an account unless you have a long stay visa, need an account to get a non Imm O retirement

[scubascuba3]

11 minutes ago, Faranginthai said:

There is no issue of a foreigner opening a bank account as a holder of a 'retirement visa'. 

The issue is an account is required to get a "retirement visa" 

[Red Phoenix]

1 hour ago, Ricky HKT said:

It is already quiet in the hotels... This will lead to more departures.

And it will also lead to more cash in the system , and cash transactions.

Imo more cash transactions are actually a good thing.  

I don't want to be a contributor to the Government's wet dream of a CBDC-controlled cash-less society.  

Luckily Thailand - although it also would like CBDC to have full control on all transactions you maken - is still very far from that, especially since at many shops they charge a fee when using a credit- or even a debit-card.  

[Dexxter]

3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Ordinary tourists do not need a bank account.  Can tourists open bank accounts in other countries? I'm sure they couldn't in the UK.

 

Tourists are able to open a bank account in Australia. They just need their passport and a valid visa as well as a few address/contact details. Tourists can even apply for an account before they arrive in Australia.

 

While a tourist visa might imply a short stay, it is generally possible to open a bank account. The easiest way is often to start the process online with a major bank before you travel, and then complete it in person with your passport shortly after you arrive in Australia.

[Red Phoenix]

17 minutes ago, Faranginthai said:

There is no issue of a foreigner opening a bank account as a holder of a 'retirement visa'. 

And as an aside, in all the years of touring / visiting other  countries I have  never had need or an inkling to open a local bank account 

I recently visited Australia for 5 weeks, and in many shops they do not accept cash.  So during my first week there I opened a Bank-account at ANZ - one of the larger banks in Australia - and I received the debit-card by mail within 3 days. Apart from being able now to also pay at 'no cash' shops, it also had the advantage that I could transfer funds to that account at the best currency exchange rate using WISE.  

[K2938]

https://thainexus.co.th/bangkok-bank-account-freezes-a-simple-guide-for-foreigners

 

 

[AustinRacing]

Good. Unless you “live” in a country there’s no need for you to have a local bank account. Tourists or short term visitors should live off the money they brought from home.