Bank Account and proof of Visa status

[redwhiteandblue]

My apologies if this has been covered before, but I can find anything.

 

Anyway, a few weeks ago my bank (ttb) sent me a message saying that I needed to go into the branch and 'update my personal details'. 3

 

Upon arrival they asked for my passport and checked my visa status. As I am on a long term Non-O visa (marriage with 400k in the bank) that is valid, there was no problem, and they took a copy of the recent update stamp.

 

I asked them what would happen if I didn't have an active visa (stamp). They told me that the account would be closed.

 

I've been on this visa for 10 years and never had this request before, btw.

 

Has anyone else experienced this lately?

 

Could this be the banks/government/immigration clamping down on foreigner bank accounts?

 

Obviously, as long as I keep my visa status updated every year, this is never going to be a problem. But what If I leave Thailand in the future and want to keep my money in this account? (for a possible future marriage visa). Would I be able to?

 

I would at least like to keep the account open in case I want to get a retirement visa in the future (or another marriage visa).

 

Anyone got any experiences or thoughts on this?

 

Thanks.

[UKresonant]

Yes I have a similar concern, as not in Thailand currently, the last copy of my passport they took was a non-o, when I renewed my debit cards. No idea if the accounts will be OK.  Two would have been opened on non-O I'm sure, but can't remember back the 20+ years, for the 3rd.

Will be very inconvinient if I can't maintain bank accounts.  

 

[allane]

I had two relatively inactive accounts with TTB.  At one point, they told me to either become more active, or they would close the accounts.  I did the latter. it had nothing to do with my visa

Instead of using technology to help their customers, they are using it to hassle them.  The last few times I visited (before closure) I was required to enter my phone number in their queue machine, before I could even get a queue ticket.  You might want to take your business elsewhere.  None of the other banks I deal with do that.

 

[NanLaew]

There are better banks here in Thailand. Not by much though.

[Fabio1980]

On 7/5/2025 at 8:49 AM, redwhiteandblue said:

 

 

Anyway, a few weeks ago my bank (ttb) sent me a message saying that I needed to go into the branch and 'update my personal details'. 3

 

 

Sorry to ask: did the message arrive to you by email, sms or at the atm?

[Fabio1980]

If a bank account is closed because you no longer have the right visa, they will let you withdraw the money  before the closure or does the bank keep it? Thank you.

[KhunBENQ]

Seems the extensive news coverage about potential account closures have not reached everyone?

It started with Bangkok Bank locking accounts that had been opened with visa exempt or tourist visa status.

It's all about the criminals that could enter the country and do their dirty scam businesses. Chinese and Russians topping the list.

 

If you have the account since more than about 3 or 4 years and have a long-term status there is no concern.

Why you have been asked to show up at all is a bit exceptional.

Neither Bangkok Bank nor Kasikorn gave me any headache.

 

My Kasikorn account was opened 2009 on visa exempt with a hotel address! That were the times 😊

Of course during the time this has been updated on multiple routine visits. Just recently went there for facial scan setup. At this occasion they did a full identification with passport, photos and signatures.

Signatures did not match to satisfaction so they created a new sample and made a new book.

[KhunBENQ]

26 minutes ago, Fabio1980 said:

If a bank account is closed because you no longer have the right visa, they will let you withdraw the money  before the closure or does the bank keep it? Thank you.

Of course your money is not lost. Otherwise there would be a firestorm of news.

[petermik]

1 hour ago, allane said:

 I was required to enter my phone number in their queue machine, before I could even get a queue ticket.  You might want to take your business elsewhere.  None of the other banks I deal with do that.

 

Most Banks require signing in first......

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, allane said:

I was required to enter my phone number in their queue machine, before I could even get a queue ticket.  You might want to take your business elsewhere.  None of the other banks I deal with do that.

Are you sure it was mandatory to enter the phone number?

Maybe.

 

At our local branches of Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn this is not required.

BUT: at Kasikorn in Pattaya (Central) you COULD enter your phone number to get an SMS shortly before you are due  And the queue was quite long. Just took a seat outside and waited.

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, petermik said:

Most Banks require signing in first......

?

What do you refer to?

Visiting a branch and draw a queue ticket??

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

If you have the account since more than about 3 or 4 years and have a long-term status there is no concern.

Why you have been asked to show up at all is a bit exceptional.

Neither Bangkok Bank nor Kasikorn gave me any headache.

Provided you have a valid Non Imm type visa, or a 1-year-long term extension of stay, opening or maintaining a Thai bank account shouldn't be an issue.

You should also ensure your personal details with your SIM card provider and the bank are updated to match.

I renewed my passport last year, and both tdac and the bank took copies and updated their systems.

[petermik]

2 hours ago, petermik said:

Most Banks require signing in first......

 

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

?

What do you refer to?

Visiting a branch and draw a queue ticket??

Both TTB and Kasikorn require you to sign in with your mobile number and take a queue ticket from the Branch machines here in Pattaya....same applies with all Government Offices....

[NanLaew]

3 hours ago, petermik said:

4 hours ago, allane said:

 I was required to enter my phone number in their queue machine, before I could even get a queue ticket.  You might want to take your business elsewhere.  None of the other banks I deal with do that.

 

Most Banks require signing in first......

 

To get a queue ticket at the branch when visiting personally? Except for TTB and Kasikorn, most other banks do not.

[KhunBENQ]

18 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

To get a queue ticket at the branch when visiting personally? Except for TTB and Kasikorn, most other banks do not.

Yes, seems different worlds.

Never entered mobile number to get a queue ticket at immigration, DLT or bank.

[allane]

18 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

To get a queue ticket at the branch when visiting personally? Except for TTB and Kasikorn, most other banks do not.

My OP referred to TTB.  I have had an account at Kasikorn for 20 yrs.  I was in a branch a few months ago; I don't remember having to enter my phone number to get a queue ticket.

[redwhiteandblue]

On 7/6/2025 at 9:17 AM, Fabio1980 said:

Sorry to ask: did the message arrive to you by email, sms or at the atm?

The message was sent by sms.

[redwhiteandblue]

One thing that concerns me for the future is that I want to set up my social security (healthcare) in Thailand with the 432 baht direct debit taken automatically every month from this account. If the bank closes the account, this would be a problem.

[Equatorial]

9 hours ago, redwhiteandblue said:

One thing that concerns me for the future is that I want to set up my social security (healthcare) in Thailand with the 432 baht direct debit taken automatically every month from this account. If the bank closes the account, this would be a problem.

 

Whenever possible, I avoid making recurring charges taken out of a Thai bank account, for this very reason. Not just closing the account, but many other things that Thai banks (and all other people with any measure of power over other people's lives) can come up with to make life difficult. 

 

If the money can be taken out of a debit card, I'd use WISE or Revolut virtual card. 

 

Other than that, I would monitor the transfer each month and make sure to recover from any shenanigans that the bank may come up with.