BKK Bank 4 months banked method??

[atpeace]

1 minute ago, Upnotover said:

They don't.  Their fee removes that requirement.

 

Just now, DrJack54 said:

That's not how it works. 

The funds are not maintained in the account for 4 months. 

This "4 month rule" is something that BBL has introduced. 

 

Not sure what the agents are doing esp in Pattaya. 

Anyone using an agent should check with their agent regards next extension. 

The question was in regards to the the funds from the previous extension needing to remain in the account for 4 months.  Previous poster answered the question so no worries.

[Rob Browder]

(addressed by others - can delete).

[minotaur]

Would it be possible to close the account if it was frozen? i.e. If I got the bank letter with the funds in there for just 2 months as usual and they froze the funds for 4 months, could I just close the account and withdraw it all?

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, minotaur said:

Would it be possible to close the account if it was frozen? i.e. If I got the bank letter with the funds in there for just 2 months as usual and they froze the funds for 4 months, could I just close the account and withdraw it all?

How would you obtain the 12 month extension. 

The bank letter is one requirement. 

Immigration would want to see the bank book. 

Also update on day of application. 

 

[minotaur]

I would close it after getting the extension. It's a marriage extension so no need to keep the funds for 3 months as per retirement.

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, minotaur said:

I would close it after getting the extension. It's a marriage extension so no need to keep the funds for 3 months as per retirement.

Well first up this whole gig by BBL seems on the surface to be weird. 

I mean is it even legal? 

As for your example, I can't imagine how they could freeze your account and not allow you go close it and receive your money. 

Of course you would then have no bank account. 

Banana Republic springs to mind. 

[minotaur]

I do have a K bank account as well. My first instinct was to close BB now and move all funds there. I was just exploring options as I need to transfer funds in for the October extension soon. 

[DrJack54]

16 minutes ago, minotaur said:

. I was just exploring options as I need to transfer funds in for the October extension soon.

The good thing is you have time. 

Assumed that was not the case. 

Some others have upcoming extension and don't have your option available.

 

Just one person's opinion... I would ditch BBL account ASAP. 

Even more so for you given you have a Kasikorn account in place. 

[minotaur]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

The good thing is you have time. 

Not really as I have to get the funds in place soon so they'll season for 2 months.

Just visited my regular branch of BB and after much banter was finally told that if I got the letter in Oct, 400k would be frozen for 4 months. So Kbank it is. Unless they initiate the same policy. 

[garygooner]

3 minutes ago, minotaur said:

So Kbank it is. Unless they initiate the same policy. 

You shouldn't close your BB account.

More options the better. 

[DrJack54]

21 minutes ago, minotaur said:

Just visited my regular branch of BB and after much banter was finally told that if I got the letter in Oct, 400k would be frozen for 4 months. So Kbank it is. Unless they initiate the same policy. 

I'm sure they won't. 

Please update forum with how you go with Kasikorn. 

When funds all set up with K bank go and tell BBL to.... 

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, garygooner said:

You shouldn't close your BB account.

More options the better. 

I can see your point and makes sense. 

It's just what BBL is doing is madness imo. 

I wouldn't want anything to do with them 

[Rob Browder]

1 hour ago, garygooner said:

You shouldn't close your BB account.

More options the better. 

Yes - leave whatever min-balance needed to avoid the low-balance monthly fee ripoff - then sit on it.  It's getting harder and harder for foreigners to open bank-accounts, now.

[Rob Browder]

1 hour ago, minotaur said:

Just visited my regular branch of BB and after much banter was finally told that if I got the letter in Oct, 400k would be frozen for 4 months.

With regard to "fixed deposit" accounts, as long as you only lose the interest for early-withdrawal, such accounts are ok to use for immigration-purposes.  In these BKB cases, you can't access any of it at all for 4 months.  So, BKB are making accounts technically invalid for an immigration-extension.  How ironic.

[Liquorice]

7 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

Yes - leave whatever min-balance needed to avoid the low-balance monthly fee ripoff - then sit on it.  It's getting harder and harder for foreigners to open bank-accounts, now.

Allowing for any annual debit card fees, or monthly SMS texting service fees.   😉    

[Rob Browder]

56 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Allowing for any annual debit card fees, or monthly SMS texting service fees.   😉    

Can cancel both of those services, while/if not using the account. 

The reason I like the SMS service is in case of fraud via the debit-card.  And, of course, I only have those on my "small money" account, so even if cleaned-out, would not be a life-wrecking event.   No debit-card on accounts with significant funds, is a good idea, IMO.

[Liquorice]

11 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

Can cancel both of those services, while/if not using the account. 

The reason I like the SMS service is in case of fraud via the debit-card.  And, of course, I only have those on my "small money" account, so even if cleaned-out, would not be a life-wrecking event.   No debit-card on accounts with significant funds, is a good idea, IMO.

That's why I keep funds of any significance in a Fixed term deposit account, besides the better interest rate, no debit card.

[Bangkok Black]

On 7/23/2025 at 6:30 PM, DrJack54 said:

That's not how it works. 

The funds are not maintained in the account for 4 months. 

This "4 month rule" is something that BBL has introduced. 

 

Not sure what the agents are doing esp in Pattaya. 

Anyone using an agent should check with their agent regards next extension. 

A friend of mine was using an agent in Pattaya. The agent drove him to several BBL branches and even went to Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao, and all the branches they visited said 4 months.

In the end, he went to Central in Pattaya and opened an account with Krungthai and got his retirement visa

[BrandonJT]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Black said:

A friend of mine was using an agent in Pattaya. The agent drove him to several BBL branches and even went to Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao, and all the branches they visited said 4 months.

In the end, he went to Central in Pattaya and opened an account with Krungthai and got his retirement visa

Clearly that agent didn't have contacts at any of those branches, else they would have handed over the cash and received the letter.

[Rob Browder]

On 7/26/2025 at 12:06 AM, BrandonJT said:

Clearly that agent didn't have contacts at any of those branches, else they would have handed over the cash and received the letter.

The agents are switching banks due to this rule - so even those with contacts seem unable to get around the 4-month money-freeze, just to get a letter saying you own the account and the current-balance.

[BrandonJT]

1 hour ago, Rob Browder said:

The agents are switching banks due to this rule - so even those with contacts seem unable to get around the 4-month money-freeze, just to get a letter saying you own the account and the current-balance.

If you actually believe someone can't type up a letter without freezing an account, 2 things that are completely unrelated, then you're quite naive.  The fact that some branches are actually enforcing this rule makes no difference to the fact that I can load up Word on my computer and type up a letter, which has zero relevance at all to my bank account.  The branches in that area are just facing extra scrutiny so are enforcing the rule, but I can guarantee there are branches elsewhere that still have agreements to pay for a simple letter.

[dingdongrb]

On 7/1/2025 at 2:22 PM, DrJack54 said:

Your OP was concerning 400b.

As in extensions marriage. 

Agents don't even deal with those regarding funds. 

Time for some folk to change banks. 

I apologize, I just found this thread and haven't read all of it.

 

I just want to say I renewed my retirement extension last week at Nan Immigration. I went in the week prior to BKK Bank and requested a 12 month statement. When going back to pick it up I requested the usual bank letter. At that time they told me that the 800k needed to stay in my account for 4 months, not 3 months like immigration requires. 

 

I said that is not right and how long would it take to close my account and receive my money to put into another bank? They said I couldn't do that until 4 months as the assets were frozen.

 

Looking at my balance on my phone app it was minus 800k. I asked the bank representative and she showed me if I dug down into the app menu I would still see that 800k amount in a different field (ledger balance).

 

I have written an email and will be sending it soon to BKK Bank's head office telling them that this requirement is immigration's and not the bank's. And if they don't remove the freeze or allow me to close the account and receive MY money for 4 months then I will be seeking legal assistance.

 

On another note...I didn't see it until recently but on the BBK Bank mobile app a person can request a 12 month statement and receive it via email. Has anyone done this and used it for immigration?

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

I said that is not right and how long would it take to close my account and receive my money to put into another bank? They said I couldn't do that until 4 months as the assets were frozen.

You have a right to be outraged as what BBL is doing is outrageous. 

I can't even imagine its legal. 

I wouldn't want a thing to do with that bank after these recent games. 

 

 

6 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

On another note...I didn't see it until recently but on the BBK Bank mobile app a person can request a 12 month statement and receive it via email. Has anyone done this and used it for immigration?

Printed out statements from banking app should not be accepted by immigration. 

Note there have been reports that they have been accepted at this or that office. 

Fact is they should not be acceptable. 

 

[Liquorice]

39 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

I said that is not right and how long would it take to close my account and receive my money to put into another bank? They said I couldn't do that until 4 months as the assets were frozen.

 

I have written an email and will be sending it soon to BKK Bank's head office telling them that this requirement is immigration's and not the bank's. And if they don't remove the freeze or allow me to close the account and receive MY money for 4 months then I will be seeking legal assistance.

It may be a disgraceful practice, but once you sign that 'affidavit', legally you haven't got a leg to stand on.

 

39 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Looking at my balance on my phone app it was minus 800k. I asked the bank representative and she showed me if I dug down into the app menu I would still see that 800k amount in a different field (ledger balance).

 

On another note...I didn't see it until recently but on the BBK Bank mobile app a person can request a 12 month statement and receive it via email. Has anyone done this and used it for immigration?

I concur with @DrJack54.

If the statement isn't printed, date stamped and signed by the bank, then Immigration should refuse it.

The sole purpose of obtaining the bank's signed and dated stamp is to authenticate and certify the statement as genuine. The banks will also refuse to stamp your printed copies.

[jeffandgop]

On 7/25/2025 at 12:43 PM, Rob Browder said:

With regard to "fixed deposit" accounts, as long as you only lose the interest for early-withdrawal, such accounts are ok to use for immigration-purposes.  In these BKB cases, you can't access any of it at all for 4 months.  So, BKB are making accounts technically invalid for an immigration-extension.  How ironic.

As I reported earlier in this thread, the BKB manager I met with assured me that my fix deposit would NOT be subject to this 4 month freeze. 

[Felt 35]

Excuse me but do I hear that if a foreigner has money in a regular savings account in Bangkok Bank, the money is locked🤯. I myself have a significant amount in a regular savings account but have never used any of it to extend a marriage / retirement visa. But after following this tread for a while its looks like Bangkok Bank is the not bank to use anymore just out of principle and I have thought and will move my savings to Krungsri where I have two accounts but not really been in a hurry and hopefully it's not as Bkk bank freeze any foreign account because it could possibly be a visa extension account?

 

Thanks

Felt

[Liquorice]

14 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

Excuse me but do I hear that if a foreigner has money in a regular savings account in Bangkok Bank, the money is locked🤯. I myself have a significant amount in a regular savings account but have never used any of it to extend a marriage / retirement visa. But after following this tread for a while its looks like Bangkok Bank is the not bank to use anymore just out of principle and I have thought and will move my savings to Krungsri where I have two accounts but not really been in a hurry and hopefully it's not as Bkk bank freeze any foreign account because it could possibly be a visa extension account?

 

Thanks

Felt

It's only when requesting the letter for Immigration that BKK require you to sign an 'affidavit' agreeing to not withdraw the funds for 4 months. 

[DezLez]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

You have a right to be outraged as what BBL is doing is outrageous. 

I can't even imagine its legal. 

I agree! I thought that all funds deposited in a Bank etc for use for a retirement extension had to be "instantly available".

That letter stops that!

[DezLez]

2 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

On another note...I didn't see it until recently but on the BBK Bank mobile app a person can request a 12 month statement and receive it via email. Has anyone done this and used it for immigration?

You will still the need the red bank stamp on the statement and the letter.

[dingdongrb]

On 7/27/2025 at 2:37 PM, Liquorice said:

It may be a disgraceful practice, but once you sign that 'affidavit', legally you haven't got a leg to stand on.

Signing that affidavit was really unknown by me and perhaps my fault that I can't read Thai....but I will still seek legal assistance if needed. I thought I was signing just to receive my statement and letter not to approve my assets to be FROZEN!

 

The representative said in English I can't withdraw for 4 months....not that it would be FROZEN! I blew that remark off knowing that immigration's requirement is only 3 months.

 

Besides that, isn't the bank legally required to give me a copy of all the docs I signed? I got none!