3 hours ago, topt said:

There have been several threads over the years about the ""choice" of updating your passport number with banks when renewed. Banks don't necessarily know when it has changed so the onus surely is on the individual. For most it only becomes an issue when not done and they are trying to make some changes or add account etc......

Agreed.

And it had never been a problem to update pp info when necessary. 

No frozen accounts without notice, no closed account without paying back the balance (happened to a friend, but the Thailand apologists here imagined all kinds of reasons why the bank must have been right),  no locked apps without notice...

This is for what I chose to blame the bank.

 

 

Maybe I missed it:

What happens to people who have an existing account, opened with a long-term visa, if these people now don't have long-term visa anymore?

For example,  there were people wondering whether to change from a non-O to a DTV, or to 60 days visa-exempt.

Will they be debanked?

 

1 hour ago, Dan O said:

crackdown on mule accounts

How many times must it be stressed: mule accounts are accounts in the name of Thais, not foreigners!

Example: if a Thai is kidnapped to work in a scam compound, SOP is taking their pictures to open Thai bank accounts in their names. 

(deleted double post)

43 minutes ago, Lorry said:

Maybe I missed it:

What happens to people who have an existing account, opened with a long-term visa, if these people now don't have long-term visa anymore?

For example,  there were people wondering whether to change from a non-O to a DTV, or to 60 days visa-exempt.

Will they be debanked?

 

 

Looks like it could be closed under that scenario. See last section of the bank notice below 

 

3 hours ago, Mika78 said:

This is what you received?

 

7 hours ago, JohnnyBD said:

I got a call last Sat by Bangkok Bank. The lady said she needed some additional docs because I recently changed my address. When I got there, she was waiting. It only took 5 min. She had a big stack of papers in front of her and looked overwhelmed, so I asked what was going on. She said all bank branches were instructed to review every foreigner's file to make sure they had the correct docs, and that they met the latest requirements. I am familiar with the lady who called, but the reason my acct was not frozen is because I'm on a long-term visa. Most, if not all the posts I read about accts being frozen are people who opened them while on tourist visa, visa-exempt or used an agent, but never went back into the bank to update their information after they received their long-stay visa or extensions.

 

That would fit in with my experience, with the exception in 2016, when I opened my account Visa Exempt, I was requested to show up at the bank as soon as I had a Long Term visa so that they could update their records.  ... It reads like my branch in Phuket Town might have been the only branch then (and maybe only just me ?? ) asking that  be done.

 

I do recall, back in 2016, i visited many banks in Phuket town (SCB, UOB, K-Bank, Krungsri) trying to open a bank account Visa Exempt (so to purchase a foreign freehold condo ... as I wanted money in Thailand prior to the purchase due to T&C of the purchase offer), and only Bangkok Bank then in 2016, let me open the account. Bangkok Bank in Phuket town,  of course back then in 2016 required a Certificate of Residence page (with my image on it) from Phuket immigration. Plus passport info.  My Thai wife was with me, which helped a LOT in the translation of Thai/English.

 

Later, a few years later, in the year 2019 timeframe, when I obtained a Yellow Book , the Bangkok Bank branch was happy to accept the Yellow Book instead of an Immigration certificate  (with my pink-ID) when they updated my Bank Records (and also accepted my new, at that time in 2019, Type-OA visa in my Passport). Because I opened multiple accounts in Bangkok Bank at different times in that first half of 2019 (3 different foreign currencies, a fixed account for 800k THB, and a nominal separate account in THB for all my expenditures) i ended up visiting that Bangkok Bank branch multiple times. I confess, i was disorganized so I needed a trip each time, due to my own lack of planning.   Each time I offered up my passport, pointed to my current visa & permission to stay and even offered up my yellow book, which they took, copied and I think entered something into their computer).

 

They were always very polite, and I recall on one occasion, my wife and I brought their staff a big box of chocolates to share (which they devoured quickly among all the staff before it melted). ... anyway ... i diverge.

 

I do have a suspicion, if one's records were in order, and IF the Bank entered such correctly into their system, and if the branch employees remember the person,  that one should hopefully not be at risk of having accounts frozen which is what I have read on this thread happened to some forum users, with Bangkok Bank accounts.

 

But who knows ... This is Thailand, and tomorrow the same could happen to me.

 

3 hours ago, Lorry said:

How many times must it be stressed: mule accounts are accounts in the name of Thais, not foreigners!

Example: if a Thai is kidnapped to work in a scam compound, SOP is taking their pictures to open Thai bank accounts in their names. 

Read my whole post i explained the situation. There are multiple issue occurring a that bank is or was central to all of them. 

3 hours ago, Dan O said:

Read my whole post i explained the situation. There are multiple issue occurring a that bank is or was central to all of them. 

Sure, your other points are valid 

On 8/19/2025 at 11:36 AM, Jim Blue said:

Apart from the (hefty) annual agent's fee !

14000 a year is not what i call hefty

17 hours ago, Lorry said:

How many times must it be stressed: mule accounts are accounts in the name of Thais, not foreigners!

Example: if a Thai is kidnapped to work in a scam compound, SOP is taking their pictures to open Thai bank accounts in their names. 

I never said they were ex-pat mule accounts althought there maybe some with the influx of foreigners from a couple regions known for being involved in scams. I said that the investiation into that pulled in some expats because a particular bank was the primary one that handled visa agent under the table accounts for wrong visas owners. In turn that required the bank auditors to look at every account. If there is anything suspicious or missing from any account that get acted on. it could be for any reason. learn to read the whole post and dont cherry pick part of the statement to moan about. Thats also part of the reason to change to their deposit requirements to being 4 months.

 

You have a great day

On 8/30/2025 at 7:31 PM, LespaulAN said:

What if the other banks doing something as bad? I know you are angry and its taking longer that it should and illegal I am sure. But I feel its better to have more than one bank. I am keeping my BBL. Also the thing about transfer limit - If you got more bank you can spread overcome the limit by spreading it all. 

i wouldn’t recommend keeping any significant funds with them. I can’t say whether other Thai banks might act the same way in the future, but this one has already lost my trust. You don’t punish your customers for your own <deleted>! And what makes me feel especially irritated about this whole incident is the fact that they would never dare to treat their Thai customers the same way. 

18 hours ago, Lorry said:

Maybe I missed it:

What happens to people who have an existing account, opened with a long-term visa, if these people now don't have long-term visa anymore?

For example,  there were people wondering whether to change from a non-O to a DTV, or to 60 days visa-exempt.

Will they be debanked?

 

This is a potential problem for me. I have a 20 year account with Kasikorn but am living in Laos. I still have my Thai phone number and no problems with the Kasikorn app yet. However, I think the days for the account are probably numbered, especially if I go into a branch in Thailand and no longer have a long-term visa. Losing a Thai account wouldn't particularly bother me except that my Thai government pension is paid into the account and the SSO will only pay into a Thai bank account. SSO have no problem with me being in Laos and I can do the annual "Hi, I'm still alive" check-in at the Nong Khai SSO.
But I guess at some point I will need to solve this particular conundrum.

On 8/19/2025 at 11:10 AM, Hellfire said:

Probably, it has something to do with 800 k retirement visa requirement. Now I have 780 k baht in my account. Please, advise, thanks

It shouldn't have anything to do with your 800K requirement for your retirement stay extension. Only Immigrations care about that when you apply for a stay extension, not banks.

1 hour ago, KhaoNiaw said:

Losing a Thai account wouldn't particularly bother me except that my Thai government pension is paid into the account and the SSO will only pay into a Thai bank account.

 

That's actually an excellent reason to give the bank if and when they ask you why you need a Thai bank account. Show them your SSO paperwork and that might well be helpful to justify your legitimate use of the account. 

On 8/19/2025 at 4:43 PM, sandyf said:

You are jumping the gun a bit. When a bank says it is visa related, it cannot be assumed it has to do with funds for an extension.

Why? it could be that they want his visa details, many on tourist visas or DTVs have had their accounts closed/frozen, as per new law. That they issue letters for extensions of stay doesn't mean that the OP's visa details recorded in their system match his current status.

 

A trivial REST Web Service opened by TI for the Banks (and others) would fix this problem. Done that kind of things 15 years ago, between IP offices.

3 hours ago, Hellfire said:

they would never dare to treat their Thai customers the same way. 

If they did, the scamming industry would lose a lot of mule accounts

On 8/19/2025 at 2:50 PM, Dan O said:

There is no new 4 month rule for banks. Its the Bangkok bank's interpretation and a method to lock up money for their use. 

All banks want to lock up your money for their use

22 hours ago, Lorry said:

For example,  there were people wondering whether to change from a non-O to a DTV, or to 60 days visa-exempt.

Will they be debanked?

Yes, the possibility is very high that they close your account.

2 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

it could be that they want his visa details, many on tourist visas or DTVs have had their accounts closed/frozen, as per new law. That they issue letters for extensions of stay doesn't mean that the OP's visa details recorded in their system match his current status.

Exactly what I said,  just different wording.

My visa status was queried by the bank when on Non O Multi Entry, no extension involved.

It is indeed all about visa status matching the bank's requirements.

1 hour ago, Photoguy21 said:

All banks want to lock up your money for their use

Banks make money by using money on deposit, worldwide, same as corporations that you invest in or any investment you make as long as you hold them. The actions of this one bank in question are different than other banks in an effort to clean up their past. 

The one thing I don't like is the uncivilised brutality in which they handle a problem they have created. Block the account and talk later, after all only foreigners will be affected. In my book this is totally unacceptable. Reeks of inconsideration and racism.

 

Anywhere else we would be given a 2 months deadline with one reminder at least. Not here where they'll let you starve while your money is frozen, or worse, let you die waiting to get your own money so that can the deposit for the ICU to admit you.

On 8/19/2025 at 11:10 AM, Hellfire said:

This morning I received a message from my Thai bank to visit my branch with my identification. Then I found out that I am unable to transfer funds from this bank account. 

 

What did you actually do when you noticed that problem?

Did you visit the branch and tried to solve it in person?

 

Several years ago, I encountered with a similar issue; unable to log in their net banking(well before they move to banking app).

 

I then went to the branch where my account was initially opened.

I re-confirmed my personal details, including passport number.

And it turned out to be OK ever after.

 

If in question, better go to solve the problem over the counter, rather than seeking someone else's advice here; as the people in this forum has no authority to act on your account.

 

Sometimes, they can make a such an "error" for the unknown causes.

An update: my account was finally unfrozen (after 2 weeks). Will transfer my whole balance to another bank soon. 

2 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

An update: my account was finally unfrozen (after 2 weeks). Will transfer my whole balance to another bank soon. 

 

A full two weeks it took, a rather cautionary tale for all of us. So happy my main bank accounts are outside Thailand. I just pray Wise won't go the Revolut route and ruin itself via due diligence.

O.K. some update about transferring out of Thailand by KK mobile at the 50K limit 

 

It went out this morning Thai time 06'by KK mobile app and just now message from my E.U. home bank it arrived at this time Thai time 12 clock midday  E.U. time (not U.K. one !! )6'30 morning in message 

 

Not cheap anymore : i send 1250 euros Thb value 48*952,61....as narrow under the 50K limit  (yeah i hate face scan as my bathroom mirror is more friendly than those mobile selfies/scan  things lol)

fee 1240 THB in ....totall  farr away from before by K+ 250 thb 3 year before 

Next sending i try the KK bank priviliged  banks to see if cheaper as before , i tried that before , but message was there foreigners use the SWIFT methode 

 

I really do not trust all this banking changes ,..... as also KK is now introducing early retirement plan for the workers at 45 year !!!.....with excuses as changing banking , AI, and others .... A warning sign if in the West for company "reorganisations "... but  here   T.I.T...

 

Anyway after a bad dream ( really no kidding !! ) i started taking my fin. solutions ....plan B in action ...

On 8/30/2025 at 5:14 PM, Mika78 said:

This is what you received?

Easiest thing to do is not go to the bank within 30 days & the account will be closed.  Then go with your passport & bank book to collect your funds.  They will request signatures & paper work to close the account so easier for the bank to close the account by not visiting within 30 days.  Don't have to wait in long queue too.  

 

I set up another account with Kasikorn & money arrives via Wise in seconds.  

1 hour ago, Steve Mee said:

Then go with your passport & bank book to collect your funds.  They will request signatures & paper work to close the account so easier for the bank to close the account by not visiting within 30 days.  Don't have to wait in long queue too.  

 

And how long will it take to get your money that way?

I assume you have first hand knowledge wrt this so called "advice"?

Not a single day without the woes and hassles against foreigners from the thai bank and regulations or visa issues. Cash still rules in this country. 

 

 

I'm at three weeks since visiting the Pattaya branch office with all verification documents (was told two weeks). Anyone else? Any value in going to the main office here in Bangkok for status? I tried a nearby branch and they weren't able to look up the status. Don't want to go out to Pattaya again.

 

1 hour ago, InlandSea said:

I'm at three weeks since visiting the Pattaya branch office with all verification documents (was told two weeks). Anyone else? Any value in going to the main office here in Bangkok for status? I tried a nearby branch and they weren't able to look up the status. Don't want to go out to Pattaya again.

 

Keep trying every day to use the app, withdrawal, scan etc. They seem to say a month now