Finance Foreign Nationals Face Account Bans in Bangkok Bank Crackdown

[JoseThailand]

On 5/28/2025 at 11:53 PM, connda said:

Find a different place to live if you want to be a long-term stay on a short-term visa. This obviously isn't the place anymore. Really, how much money do digital nomads bring into Thailand in the way of revenue?  I'm mean really - Thailand is a land of some really schizophrenic people who on one hand want the money that business relationship with foreigners brings into Thai banks, but on the other hand, the country is one of the most nationalistic, xenophobia places on the planet Earth and look like they are on the verge of dismanteling Thai bank's earning potential out of sheer dislike of foreigners.  I honestly don't think Thailand has a clue as to want they want other than to not to have to deal with non-Thais. Yeah - they will throw the baby out with the bath water.

 

Well, even though I'm married I guess I should probably check my BKK account to see if this f****** is going to bleed over to those of us who actually are on long-term visa for no other reason than I personally realize that Thailand hates all non-Thais.  Every last one of us.

 

It's called a far-right country

[Lorry]

3 hours ago, vukovar77 said:

I have been a BB bank holder for about 14 years, and in January of this year, I was informed that I need to verify my account in Jomtien if I wish to continue working with it. I had to go strictly to a bank in Jomtien where the account was opened. I lost a day verifying the account, although I have a Thai wife, a marriage visa, and a condominium here.

Exactly my experienc

[Lorry]

3 hours ago, Drumbuie said:

 

Unless you have access to Thai Police records, or a high-up contact inside the force, " the last time I heard of a farang opening a mule account in their own name .." doesn't carry a huge amount of weight. 

 

 

Mule accounts are very popular in Thailand. 

To open the account,  the account holder gets something like 500 or 1000 B.

Not many people from rich or middle-income countries would be induced by such a minuscule reward. 

It may work with Laotians, Cambodians and Burmese.

But any scam company looking to launder money in Thailand will want Thai mules.

 

 

[Unamerican]

On 5/28/2025 at 11:53 PM, connda said:

those of us who actually are on long-term visa

Who are these people?  What exactly is meant here by “a long term visa”:

does this include being on a yearly “extension of stay” (with no visa by now)?

[ericbj]

Might be worth trying other banks.

 

About twenty years ago when coming every year to Thailand for about six months on a triple-entry tourist visa, I decided it would be better to have a savings account in Thailand rather than holding on to a wad of foreign bank-notes and traveller's cheques, which could get lost or stolen.

 

The Bangkok Bank asked if I had a work-permit.  Answer "No."  Refusal.

 

SCB: same question, same answer, same refusal.

 

Kasikorn Bank: same question, same answer, and their response "That's alright!"  They opened the account.
Some years later I opened a deposit account with them prior to obtaining a long-stay visa.
And now also have accounts with the SCB.

[Lorry]

51 minutes ago, Unamerican said:

Who are these people?  What exactly is meant here by “a long term visa”:

does this include being on a yearly “extension of stay” (with no visa by now)?

For the time being and according to Bangkok Bank, as reported in the Bangkok Post, yes.

Retirement extensions count as a long time visa.

 

But I have not forgotten how often various Thai bureaucrats have publicly stated that a retirement extension is NOT a long time visa, and retirees are just tourists. After all, the "retirement visa" is called a NON-immigrant visa.

[vukovar77]

3 hours ago, Lorry said:

For the time being and according to Bangkok Bank, as reported in the Bangkok Post, yes.

Retirement extensions count as a long time visa.

 

But I have not forgotten how often various Thai bureaucrats have publicly stated that a retirement extension is NOT a long time visa, and retirees are just tourists. After all, the "retirement visa" is called a NON-immigrant visa.

We must have a new visa every year, so they can check every year visa is valid. Annoying.

[stevenl]

4 hours ago, Lorry said:

But I have not forgotten how often various Thai bureaucrats have publicly stated that a retirement extension is NOT a long time visa, and retirees are just tourists

Looking forward to link showing officials stating retirees are just tourists.

[Cabradelmar]

15 hours ago, Bohemianfish said:

Is it cause by graft? Seems so many foreigners there now. Lots of overstays? Or just too many coming in and staying on visas? 

Thailand has always been easy entry... Smugglers and thieves know this. Thailand flinging open the gates even more only attracts more rift raft... So it's graft exasperated by giving bank accounts to people on tourist visas or glorified tourist visas (DTV). 

[Lorry]

4 hours ago, Cabradelmar said:

Thailand has always been easy entry... Smugglers and thieves know this. Thailand flinging open the gates even more only attracts more rift raft... So it's graft exasperated by giving bank accounts to people on tourist visas or glorified tourist visas (DTV). 

 

Could you please explain to me why a tourist should NOT have a bank account?

What's so dangerous about if?

(And please don't give me the cr@p abot mules. Mules are Thai. )

[Celsius]

6 minutes ago, Lorry said:

 

Could you please explain to me why a tourist should NOT have a bank account?

What's so dangerous about if?

(And please don't give me the cr@p abot mules. Mules are Thai. )

 

Bank accounts in foreign countries are used to evade taxes.

 

You come as a tourist, open a bank account and voila have access to several different marketplaces as a "Thai resident". Also very useful for crypto scams etc.

 

I think having a work permit or a Thai tax ID is perfectly fair for opening a Thai bank account.

 

Of course, foreigners in thailand with no income in thailand should pay zero tax.

[shdmn]

I would be ok with this if Thailand offered viable alternatives.  It's even harder to open a bank account in the Philippines.  However, they have viable alternatives such as GCash and Maya Pay.  Nothing like that in Thailand where I can transfer money directly into them from Wise and take out cash from an ATM, bypassing more middlemen and more fees.  The only way to do that in Thailand is with a brick and mortar bank account.

[Lorry]

39 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Bank accounts in foreign countries are used to evade taxes.

Since Thailand now participates in CRS, this wouldn't work anymore. 

 

[kiwikeith]

On 5/29/2025 at 9:57 AM, webfact said:

UPDATE:
 

Bangkok Bank Bars Tourists from Accounts in Fraud Crackdown

 

Picture courtesy of China Daily
 

Thailand tourists face banking barriers as Bangkok Bank shuts them out amid fraud fears.

 

Thailand’s tourists and short-term visitors are hitting a banking brick wall, with Bangkok Bank axing account services for those without long-term visas. In a bid to ward off international cybercriminals, the bank, Thailand’s largest, has stopped tourists from opening deposit accounts, applying for credit cards, and using mobile services.

 

The crackdown, launched in January, targets fraud from “mule” accounts but has left digital nomads, seasonal workers, and remote professionals locked out of essential banking services. The changes have spurred confusion and frustration among these groups trying to navigate without everyday financial tools.

 

A Bangkok Bank representative confirmed to TASS news agency, “The policy applies to all tourists, regardless of nationality.” This decision also impacts holders of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), allowing up to 180-day stays but categorising them as tourists.

 

Social media platforms have become hotbeds for reports, mainly from Russians, of account freezes or restricted access without prior notice. Although Bangkok Bank states not all accounts are terminating, some users must now verify identities with biometric scans.

 

The Bangkok Community Help Foundation warned via Facebook about potential expansion of these measures to other nationalities. The revised rules mean only foreigners with long-term visas, Thai spouses, or real estate in Thailand can open accounts. Eligible groups include retirees, students, and those with work-related visas.

 

Travellers and expat account holders are encouraged to verify their eligibility and reach out to branches with concerns. Increased fraud awareness comes on the heels of a Pattaya scandal where non-bank staff assisted in “mule” account creation for scam rings.

 

Daranee Saeju, Bank of Thailand assistant governor for financial consumer protection, stresses banks’ compliance with central bank guidelines is crucial. Stricter future measures will include cross-referencing account holders with the Anti-Money Laundering Office’s watchlist and imposing limits on transactions.

 

Whilst these tighter fraud-prevention strategies aim to protect, critics argue they unfairly impact legitimate visitors. The clampdown places them in financial uncertainty, complicating their time in Thailand.

 

This significant policy shift in Thailand’s banking sector reflects an urgent need to combat cyber fraud but raises questions about access for thousands potentially left in financial limbo.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-29

 

 

If you are legit no problem 

But lots of dodgy people in Thailand now, can't help thinking that the Ukraine war has something to do with it and the legalisation of dope. 

There have been card scamers operating here for years and nothing ever been done. 

Facebook scammers are rampant now and Facebook does'nt care, I have several friends who have had their identity duplicated mine also trying to trick you into money scams if you open their links they can hack your device and steal your Info including bank details 

[K2938]

22 hours ago, vukovar77 said:

I have been a BB bank holder for about 14 years, and in January of this year, I was informed that I need to verify my account in Jomtien if I wish to continue working with it. I had to go strictly to a bank in Jomtien where the account was opened. I lost a day verifying the account, although I have a Thai wife, a marriage visa, and a condominium here.

Also saw an American guy on a tourist visa in a Bkk Bank branch in Bangkok yesterday with a blocked account.

[KhunBENQ]

23 hours ago, vukovar77 said:

in January of this year, I was informed that I need to verify my account in Jomtien if I wish to continue working with it.

How/by what means did you get the info?

I open the app at least once daily and assume I would notice if something is blocked. 

Hope to NOT hear from them.

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

There have been card scamers operating here for years and nothing ever been done. 

Except for cardless withdrawal which I use most every time.

No more skimming

[Fabio1980]

10 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

How/by what means did you get the info?

 

In my case, went to an ATM, and there was a message telling me to update my details at any branch.

I don't use any bank application, so I don't know how you get the info on that.

[Fabio1980]

6 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Except for cardless withdrawal which I use most every time.

Same here.

[thjames007]

On 5/28/2025 at 11:53 PM, connda said:

Find a different place to live if you want to be a long-term stay on a short-term visa. This obviously isn't the place anymore. Really, how much money do digital nomads bring into Thailand in the way of revenue?  I'm mean really - Thailand is a land of some really schizophrenic people who on one hand want the money that business relationship with foreigners brings into Thai banks, but on the other hand, the country is one of the most nationalistic, xenophobia places on the planet Earth and look like they are on the verge of dismanteling Thai bank's earning potential out of sheer dislike of foreigners.  I honestly don't think Thailand has a clue as to want they want other than to not to have to deal with non-Thais. Yeah - they will throw the baby out with the bath water.

 

Well, even though I'm married I guess I should probably check my BKK account to see if this f****** is going to bleed over to those of us who actually are on long-term visa for no other reason than I personally realize that Thailand hates all non-Thais.  Every last one of us.

What other country have you been too where a tourist is able to open and then hold a bank account, and without proper ID. (and not because they don't like you!) Yes you have to leave Thailand now given they are enforcing the laws. Or should I say common sense.   

 

[sandyf]

On 5/29/2025 at 6:22 PM, Red Phoenix said:

Transferring money from your UK Bank-account directly to your Thai bank-account is a slow, expensive and non-transparent method.

Garbage.

On saying that, a couple of years ago HSBC did have the audacity to raise the transfer fee from £4 to £5.

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, Fabio1980 said:

I don't use any bank application, so I don't know how you get the info on that.

Just listened to a podcast of a Pattaya consulting firm and it's that simple:

if your account is frozen/blocked and you open the banking app you will get a corresponding popup message and end of show.

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, Fabio1980 said:

In my case, went to an ATM, and there was a message telling me to update my details at any branch.

At any branch sounds interesting as many sources say you have to visit the originating branch.

Maybe in your case only identification, address and phone number update?

 

And never forget to update passport number if you get a new one.

And after that check online access.

SCB managed to kill it. Took four days until "boss come back from seminar".

[Red Phoenix]

4 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Garbage.

On saying that, a couple of years ago HSBC did have the audacity to raise the transfer fee from £4 to £5.

WISE uses the mid-market exchange rate (the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of two currencies) and freezes it at the moment you click GO, allowing you to wait for the best moment to do your transfer (the mid-market exchange rate changes every minute).  

It's not possible to get a better exchange-rate than the mid-market rate.  But the large majority of banks don't use that real exchange-rate, but charge you THEIR conversion rate, and often they charge a transfer fee on top of that.  Not to mention that the Bank will use their exchange-rate at the moment they process your transaction, so that you are not sure what exact amount the recipient will get or that you will be charged. 

WISE charges a transfer fee of approx 0,75% for their service.  So that translates into a fee of £5 for transferring 650,- £ from a UK account to a Thai bank-account.

 

[SamSaraburi]

I work here but was refused an account at Bkk Bank Siloam last month.

i went to Kasikorn.

[Fabio1980]

56 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

At any branch sounds interesting as many sources say you have to visit the originating branch.

Maybe in your case only identification, address and phone number update?

Correct: the first time was a "general" updating: place of stay, email and phone number.

The second time was only for the place of stay.

And passport, I got the new one last May and went straight to the bank to update it. But for the passport, the branch I went to, told me need to update where I opened it. 

 

[lordgrinz]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

At any branch sounds interesting as many sources say you have to visit the originating branch.

Maybe in your case only identification, address and phone number update?

 

And never forget to update passport number if you get a new one.

And after that check online access.

SCB managed to kill it. Took four days until "boss come back from seminar".

 

Still no warning on my SCB account, and App is still open and working fine. No need for passport update either, they use my Pink ID. My SIM card is from my wife's True internet account, it included a SIM card as part of the package. I've had this SIM card since 2017, when my wife called True, they said no issues, that this only applies to newer SIMs, I believe 2022 and newer.

[sidneybear]

I'd say that Thai banks have actually been easy going for years, but are catching up with the rest of the world. Try opening a bank account anywhere else in the world as a tourist. 

[Tomtomtom69]

On 5/29/2025 at 4:04 AM, scubascuba3 said:

But agents can still open accounts most likely, so anyone dodgy will just use an agent

 

No, they can't. Agents are part of the reason why this crackdown is occurring. Agent assisted accounts are being closed now, as they should be. 

[Tomtomtom69]

1 hour ago, sidneybear said:

I'd say that Thai banks have actually been easy going for years, but are catching up with the rest of the world. Try opening a bank account anywhere else in the world as a tourist. 

 

Not difficult at all. Thailand has been having lots of problems with call center scammers and all sorts of criminals, hence part of the reason for the increased scrutiny. 

 

Neighboring countries might have problems with call center scams such as Myanmar and Cambodia, but these scammers tend to use Thai accounts for their shady dealings for a number of reasons, which is why it's still very easy to open a Burmese bank account on a simple tourist or business e-visa. It's dead easy to apply for a business e-visa for Myanmar via an agency (can be done online). While a tourist visa is sufficient to open an account, a tourist might pose as a business traveler by getting a business e-visa and using that to open the account, just in case. 

 

Scammers don't use Burmese accounts as it's more difficult to wire funds into Myanmar from abroad and to get them out, hence I don't see Burmese banks purging foreign customers who don't reside in the country as they simply don't have the issues Thai banks have when it comes to fraud. They also don't have a large volume of foreign customers either. Not to mention the Burmese Kyat isn't a convertible currency like the Baht is and exchanging Kyat to USD or another foreign currency isn't as straightforward as in Thailand. 

 

I hold a Burmese bank account I opened on either a tourist or business visa obtained abroad (think I decided to open it on a tourist visa, but later on, had a business visa when I had dealings with the bank). Had to get it re-activated on my first post Covid trip to the country last year, as it was dormant for more than 4 years but that's understandable. Got myself a new ATM card as the old one had expired.

 

Cambodia is another easy one - technically, most banks want a minimum 6 month ordinary category (E) extension of stay to open an account (such extensions are easily obtained by agents without any paperwork) but there are banks, which reportedly open up accounts for tourists or those on the initial one month E category visa.