2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Just to sum up where we are on this, Hellfire, can you confirm that what has happened is that your bank has frozen your account because they thought you had opened it wiith a tourist visa, and now wanted you to confirm that you have a long term visa. Is that correct? Have you sorted this out now?

Yes, correct. Nothing was sorted out yet. At one local Khon Kaen bank they agreed to accept my documents (after I told them I have no money left) but also told me that they cannot promise anything. If no news from them - I will drive to Pattaya tomorrow or Friday morning.

17 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

Yes, correct. Nothing was sorted out yet. At one local Khon Kaen bank they agreed to accept my documents (after I told them I have no money left) but also told me that they cannot promise anything. If no news from them - I will drive to Pattaya tomorrow or Friday morning.

 

What a nightmare.

 

Remember not to drink and drive,.

31 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

What a nightmare.

 

Remember not to drink and drive,.

Lesson learned

Sorry to hear about those having a problem. The banks really should have given people advance notice of the potential freeze.

I recently moved, and went to each bank branch where I opened my accounts, and updated my passport information, immigration status, face scan, phone number & address. I did the same earlier this year when my banks sent me notices to come in and update my info. So far so good.

Asides from Thailand bank. I also keep some baht holding on my WISE account spreading the eggs. 

6 minutes ago, LespaulAN said:

Asides from Thailand bank. I also keep some baht holding on my WISE account spreading the eggs. 

 

Unfortunately there are countless accounts of Revolut having frozen customers'  accounts due to due diligence issues and it took them weeks to get the accounts back.

 

I would not bet one dollar on Wise not going down a similar path at some point.

 

Banks closing customers' accounts has become a real issue, not just in Thailand, but all over the world. Revolut is notorious for this.

23 minutes ago, LespaulAN said:

Asides from Thailand bank. I also keep some baht holding on my WISE account spreading the eggs. 

Better off keeping it in a lockbox under your bed.

3 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

The "local language" in Pattaya is only pidgin English for the benefit of ignorant, non Thai-speaking expats.

So all the masses of Indians in Pattaya speak Thai?

Just like the Chinese,  the Russians and the Cambodians?

I know there are some Thais in  Pattaya, between themselves,  they usually speak Issarn, not Thai.

 

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Very much doubt that. worse than that, ever heard of Western operated boiler rooms?

Yes, it was very ugly.

But that was decades ago, before the rise of the Chinese scam industry during covid. 

The Chinese don't use farang mules. Communication problems,  and there just aren't enough cheap farang for the sums involved nowadays.

 

 

2 hours ago, Hellfire said:

This is what I’ve been able to piece together from all my dealings with the bank. Apparently, the problem is that my account was supposedly opened while I was still on a tourist visa. (As if I had opened it myself!) Now the bank claims they need to “check” my visa status—as if the retirement stamp in my passport means nothing. And the only way for them to do this check is for me to physically go to my branch. (Another absurd requirement.)

 

Here’s the short version of how my account was opened back in April 2024: I used an agency to get my first retirement visa. They arranged the account opening. Later, I transferred my own money into it to meet the 800k requirement. The bank has been fully aware of my visa status ever since—I was in the branch just a month ago, and they took multiple copies of my visa pages.

 

As I noted, years back (2016) when i opened an account Visa exempt, I was advised by Bangkok Bank staff (a Phuket branch in Phuket town), that as soon as i obtained a Long Term visa (such as Type-O or OA or other) I was to come to the bank ASAP and show them my passport with its visa and permission to stay. And i did this.

 

I find it strange your 'agent' was not advised of such by Bangkok Bank, or maybe the agent failed to recommend such to you even thou they knew ?  ....

 

It reads like only now (given Bangkok Bank has a good excuse with government pressure/effort to cut down on mule accounts) that Bangkok Bank is deciding to try to enforce that which was a policy (provide up to date long term passport info) for sometime with some Bangkok Bank branches.

 

Given the agent was involved in this process - can they now dig you out of it? ie send the agent your up to date passport image, with long term visa image, and permission to stay image? ... and see if they can unfreeze such that you need not make the trip?

 

 

2 hours ago, Hellfire said:

 

So yes, maybe the account was opened against some internal bank rules. But how can I be held accountable for their mistakes? It seems the easiest way for them to “solve” any issue is simply to blame foreigners. Guilty by definition.

 

Do your best to give them what the want as soon as you can.  

 

Best wishes and Good luck!

I found out my BKB account was frozen yesterday while at PTT after I filled up the car.   Phone app didn't work & ATM card didn't work either. 

 

Luckily I also have home country bank visa cards otherwise I would have been pumping gas at PTT for a week.  

 

My banking app was frozen a few months ago & it was resolved in a day after visiting my local BKB branch.  

 

Message in phone banking app mentions have to go to branch where account was set up but this is 850km away now as I moved down south. 

 

I visited my local branch & they printed out something then told me to call Pattaya branch.  I called Pattaya while I was in my local branch & they told me to tell my local branch to call them in Pattaya.  Instead of wasting time back & forth I put my local branch on the phone to the Pattaya branch while I was chatting to Pattaya.  They had a short chat & my local branch informed me that the local Branch Manager has to resolve the matter but she was not in at the time & would be in tomorrow.  They mentioned they will call me tomorrow, however, still no call a day later.  

 

Will go visit my local branch again tomorrow for an update.  I am on retirement extension visa but the account was originally set up by agent in Pattaya.  I will also contact the visa agent well known to many here & ask if they can assist.  Maybe I can send them my passport & bank book etc so they can go to the Pattaya branch & verify the documents.  No sweat as can transfer money from home country to GF bank account in seconds & my BKB account has minimal funds.  

 

5 hours ago, Steve Mee said:

I found out my BKB account was frozen yesterday while at PTT after I filled up the car.   Phone app didn't work & ATM card didn't work either. 

 

Luckily I also have home country bank visa cards otherwise I would have been pumping gas at PTT for a week.  

 

My banking app was frozen a few months ago & it was resolved in a day after visiting my local BKB branch.  

 

Message in phone banking app mentions have to go to branch where account was set up but this is 850km away now as I moved down south. 

 

I visited my local branch & they printed out something then told me to call Pattaya branch.  I called Pattaya while I was in my local branch & they told me to tell my local branch to call them in Pattaya.  Instead of wasting time back & forth I put my local branch on the phone to the Pattaya branch while I was chatting to Pattaya.  They had a short chat & my local branch informed me that the local Branch Manager has to resolve the matter but she was not in at the time & would be in tomorrow.  They mentioned they will call me tomorrow, however, still no call a day later.  

 

Will go visit my local branch again tomorrow for an update.  I am on retirement extension visa but the account was originally set up by agent in Pattaya.  I will also contact the visa agent well known to many here & ask if they can assist.  Maybe I can send them my passport & bank book etc so they can go to the Pattaya branch & verify the documents.  No sweat as can transfer money from home country to GF bank account in seconds & my BKB account has minimal funds.  

 

I'm surprised so many people only have one bank account, no contingency for problems

10 hours ago, Steve Mee said:

I found out my BKB account was frozen yesterday while at PTT after I filled up the car.   Phone app didn't work & ATM card didn't work either. 

 

Luckily I also have home country bank visa cards otherwise I would have been pumping gas at PTT for a week.  

 

My banking app was frozen a few months ago & it was resolved in a day after visiting my local BKB branch.  

 

Message in phone banking app mentions have to go to branch where account was set up but this is 850km away now as I moved down south. 

 

I visited my local branch & they printed out something then told me to call Pattaya branch.  I called Pattaya while I was in my local branch & they told me to tell my local branch to call them in Pattaya.  Instead of wasting time back & forth I put my local branch on the phone to the Pattaya branch while I was chatting to Pattaya.  They had a short chat & my local branch informed me that the local Branch Manager has to resolve the matter but she was not in at the time & would be in tomorrow.  They mentioned they will call me tomorrow, however, still no call a day later.  

 

Will go visit my local branch again tomorrow for an update.  I am on retirement extension visa but the account was originally set up by agent in Pattaya.  I will also contact the visa agent well known to many here & ask if they can assist.  Maybe I can send them my passport & bank book etc so they can go to the Pattaya branch & verify the documents.  No sweat as can transfer money from home country to GF bank account in seconds & my BKB account has minimal funds.  

 

 

Local BKK branch called this morning & mentioned Branch Manager cannot do anything to unfreeze bank account.  Visit to Pattaya branch required.   Will visit after 30 days or next year when it quietens down as very busy now & don't need access to minimal funds in account.  

 

Waiting on answer from visa agent in Pattaya to determine whether or not they can attend Pattaya branch with my documents on my behalf.  

 

In the meantime, went to Kasikorn Bank & opened a new bank account. 

 

Good bye Bangkok Bank!  

  

1 hour ago, Steve Mee said:

 

Local BKK branch called this morning & mentioned Branch Manager cannot do anything to unfreeze bank account.  Visit to Pattaya branch required.   Will visit after 30 days or next year when it quietens down as very busy now & don't need access to minimal funds in account.  

 

Waiting on answer from visa agent in Pattaya to determine whether or not they can attend Pattaya branch with my documents on my behalf.  

 

In the meantime, went to Kasikorn Bank & opened a new bank account. 

 

Good bye Bangkok Bank!  

  

 

I doubt that agents will be able to help since this whole crackdown started because of them and dodgy branch managers.

The quest to unlock one’s account

24 minutes ago, Ohyesuare said:

 

I doubt that agents will be able to help since this whole crackdown started because of them and dodgy branch managers.

They started it and now people like me (foreigners) are paying the price. Tell me this is not a xenophobic attitude.

On 8/19/2025 at 11:48 AM, Hellfire said:

foreigners should visit the bank and that it is Visa related.

Excuse my ignorance, but is that a visa to stay in the country or a Visa debit Card? Bangkok Bank ditched Visa in favour of Mastercard?

4 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Excuse my ignorance, but is that a visa to stay in the country or a Visa debit Card? Bangkok Bank ditched Visa in favour of Mastercard?

Immigration related Visa. 

1 hour ago, Hellfire said:

The quest to unlock one’s account

 

Are they asking for ALL these??

 

Ah, I see a big "3", I originally linked that to being Step 3.

 

Did you ever find out just why the locked your account??

 

12 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I'm surprised so many people only have one bank account, no contingency for problems

 

 

I think that is a great message coming out of all this nonsense. Same with your home country, don't leave yourself exposed with just one bank account or credit card.

latest news about the 50 000 baht limitation by BOT 

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/banking-finance/40054282

 

Bank of Thailand Clarifies 50,000 Baht Transfer Limit Applies Only to Vulnerable Groups

(a whole page )

 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025

On 8/20/2025 at 3:25 AM, Cameroni said:

 

Unfortunately there are countless accounts of Revolut having frozen customers'  accounts due to due diligence issues and it took them weeks to get the accounts back.

 

I would not bet one dollar on Wise not going down a similar path at some point.

 

Banks closing customers' accounts has become a real issue, not just in Thailand, but all over the world. Revolut is notorious for this.

 

This has been happening for the past 20 years even before wise with PayPal,  Amazon payments, Stripe etc... 

 

But at least with Wise the issue would be much easier to solve than dealing with a Thai bank

59 minutes ago, david555 said:

latest news about the 50 000 baht limitation by BOT 

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/banking-finance/40054282

 

Bank of Thailand Clarifies 50,000 Baht Transfer Limit Applies Only to Vulnerable Groups

(a whole page )

 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025

That doesn't help when the app limits have been changed

Visa agent in Pattaya has informed me to contact the Pattaya branch with my phone & that they want to see an updated visa.  

 

My frozen BKB account was set up in January 2024 & my retirement visa was extended from May 1, 2025 for another 12 months.  

 

I will go next year when it's time to extend my visa again & holiday in Pattaya.  

 

FYI, I sent funds via Wise to my new Kasikorn bank account & the funds arrived in seconds whereas BKB was taking a day to arrive.   Also paid PEA with Kasikorn bank app which cannot be done with BKB.   

14 minutes ago, Steve Mee said:

FYI, I sent funds via Wise to my new Kasikorn bank account & the funds arrived in seconds whereas BKB was taking a day to arrive.   Also paid PEA with Kasikorn bank app which cannot be done with BKB.   

 

Bangkok Bank is going to lose quite a bit of business from foreigners. Serves them right, the way they are handling this is absolutely appalling. 

3 hours ago, Ohyesuare said:

 

I doubt that agents will be able to help since this whole crackdown started because of them and dodgy branch managers.

 

I also doubt they can help but asked them since they assisted to set up the account.  

 

Now confirming that they cannot help.  

 

 

Just now, Caldera said:

 

Bangkok Bank is going to lose quite a bit of business from foreigners. Serves them right, the way they are handling this is absolutely appalling. 

 

I told my local BKB branch that I was hungry & had no money.  They still couldn't do anything & apologized.  I also told them I was going to another bank which I did today.

 

There is a post on Reddit Thailand about the frozen BKB accounts.  Apparently the poster's sister in law works for BKB & they are aware of the huge issues they have created for foreigners & may amend their policy.   

3 hours ago, Hellfire said:

The quest to unlock one’s account

 

Thanks for the info.  

FYI - from a Reddit poster.

 

"I went to close my account and they wanted me to sign a form but weren't happy with my signature on one of the documents because it didn't match my signature when I opened the account.  I'm like, you have me on camera, you have my passport which has my photo, I think we're good. They weren't happy so I said let me see the signature on file and they SHOWED it to me. So I just copied it and that was fine."

 

So it appears the bank will play games when you ask to close the account.  I will also ask to close my BKB account when I visit Pattaya next year & withdraw the minimal funds.  

 

Another Reddit poster mentioned:

 

"I went into a local branch (not my home branch), and there were a lot of us there who had received the same message.

The staff were very apologetic, and suggested that there may be a change in bank policy in the coming days due to all the disruption that it has caused. However, they took copies of my various documents to send down to my home branch, along with a bank form requesting the unlocking of my account.  I'm in the fortunate position of having enough cash to see me through for a while, so I'll just wait and see.

One staff member I spoke to did say that a client had successfully had his account unlocked earlier in the morning by the call center."

 

 

10 minutes ago, Steve Mee said:

 so I said let me see the signature on file and they SHOWED it to me. So I just copied it and that was fine."

 

Made me laugh - so much for tight security .

 

10 minutes ago, Steve Mee said: