I stopped direct deposits of Social Security in BB, and wire transfer money monthly. I thought since I stopped direct deposit I could have ATM card again. Nope, doesn't matter. No more ATM or online banking. I will have to open a new account to have an ATM and online banking.

I guess that specific account was opened and dedicated for SS deposits only. I didn't know they had such a thing. I bank with Bangkok Bank also, and have a savings acct with a debit card, an App on my phone, and I use their web banking.

16 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

I guess that specific account was opened and dedicated for SS deposits only. I didn't know they had such a thing. I bank with Bangkok Bank also, and have a savings acct with a debit card, an App on my phone, and I use their web banking.

I had my account for years before I started the direct deposit of SS. But, after a few years they caught up with me. 

Same with me. Now I have two accounts. One is Deposit account and the other has full spending.

The new security was intended to enforce SSA reciptiants transfer in person to avoid possible fraud.

   I'm not sure I understand why you can't use an ATM. I have two BB accounts, one for my immigration requirements which I never touch except to make a small deposit when my extension is due, and don't have an ATM card for, and a second account that my social security gets deposited into and I use for expenses, either by direct transfers out or getting cash at an ATM. Is there something I am missing with the law?

I keep reading the horror stories about Bangkok Bank, and have to wonder why people use it. Am glad I never opened an account with them. The two banks I use, Kasikorn and KrungThai, I have never had problems with in the years I have been here. Perhaps I'm lucky?

Yep had a separate account for SS anyhow but used app to transfer to working account. That is not allowed now.  We are X-GI with Thai wife who is invalid. Just this week we went to the local BKK branch and drained the SS accounts. WE're in our 70's now and wondering what will happen when we get older and less mobile.  

Guess we'll find out, I understand the need for security but still don't like it..

41 minutes ago, Tedly said:

   I'm not sure I understand why you can't use an ATM. I have two BB accounts, one for my immigration requirements which I never touch except to make a small deposit when my extension is due, and don't have an ATM card for, and a second account that my social security gets deposited into and I use for expenses, either by direct transfers out or getting cash at an ATM. Is there something I am missing with the law?

You are allowed to use your retirement account without problems, I take the money out and put it in a 6 month account for better interest, one year I took out 10,000 dollars to buy a used car, I was told by Immigration that it’s your money to use as necessary but you must have the money back into your account 3 months before your yearly review.  I have money in the yellow bank too, in case I need for emergency, but I don’t trust Thai banks for SS deposits.

2 hours ago, Tedly said:

   I'm not sure I understand why you can't use an ATM. I have two BB accounts, one for my immigration requirements which I never touch except to make a small deposit when my extension is due, and don't have an ATM card for, and a second account that my social security gets deposited into and I use for expenses, either by direct transfers out or getting cash at an ATM. Is there something I am missing with the law?

I started my direct deposit of SS to Bangkok in 2016 at that time Bangkok Bank was the only bank allowed. No Debit card with the account had to go in person to get the money out.

IF you die, SS needs to know in order to stop payments.  If someone else has an atm that allows them to withdraw, then SS could continue sending money (ie, be paying them, not you) for a very long time (such persons could also forge your signature on the annual SS "are you alive" letter/request.  SS has enough problems.   

On 8/15/2025 at 11:56 PM, flexomike said:

I started my direct deposit of SS to Bangkok in 2016 at that time Bangkok Bank was the only bank allowed. No Debit card with the account had to go in person to get the money out.

  I have an ATM card for the account that my SS goes into, I opened the account about 2 years ago. But I don't have one for the account for immigration, that one I have locked so nothing can come out unless I go into the bank and take it out. 

When I first started receiving SS payments, I opened two accounts with Bangkok Bank. The one receiving my SS benefits was restricted with no browser access, no app access, and no ATM card. 

 

When the SSA introduced direct deposit for Thailand, I switched from having the SS benefits routed via Bangkok Bank's New York branch to the restricted account and had them directly sent to my unrestricted Bangkok Bank account. I tried to unrestricted the restricted account, but that could not be done. I ended up closing the restricted account.

 

So, yes, it is necessary to open a new Bangkok Bank account in order to have ATM/internet/app access if you have a restricted account.

3 hours ago, Tedly said:

  I have an ATM card for the account that my SS goes into, I opened the account about 2 years ago. But I don't have one for the account for immigration, that one I have locked so nothing can come out unless I go into the bank and take it out. 

Enjoy it while it lasts. My SS was direct deposited into a Bangkok bank account with an ATM and online banking. Then my ATM and online was canceled. I stopped the direct deposits, but that account is forever unable to have ATM.

 

If you're using the monthly deposit method for extension, well FTT is no longer used to earmark deposit.

16 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Enjoy it while it lasts. My SS was direct deposited into a Bangkok bank account with an ATM and online banking. Then my ATM and online was canceled. I stopped the direct deposits, but that account is forever unable to have ATM.

 

If you're using the monthly deposit method for extension, well FTT is no longer used to earmark deposit.

 Hopefully it won't stop, but I'm not doing the monthly deposit method for immigration, I keep the 400,000 in one account for that.