Assume you have a pension of say 80k Baht per month. 80x12 = 960,000. That puts you beyond having to have any money in the bank account. Yet immigration still wants a letter showing your balance from Bangkok Bank. Do they still lock money? And how much? 

36 minutes ago, patrickl said:

Do they still lock money? And how much?

The balance for income method is irrelevant. It could be minimal amount. 

The letter is required to show, that you are owner of the account. 

 

Have not seen any reports of BBL freezing the funds unlike money in bank for both marriage or retirement. 

 

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The balance for income method is irrelevant. It could be minimal amount. 

The letter is required to show, that you are owner of the account. 

 

Have not seen any reports of BBL freezing the funds unlike money in bank for both marriage or retirement. 

 

Thanks, that makes sense. 

I searched but there's no details about dependent / kids visa. For those the money only needs to be in the account for at least 1 day, even the day before is fine. Would Bangkok Bank freeze that for 4 months too? Have there been any reports?

18 minutes ago, patrickl said:

Would Bangkok Bank freeze that for 4 months too? Have there been any reports?

Have not seen a report regarding that situation. 

Wouldn't surprise me just about anything BBL might do. 

Actually in bit if shock regarding recent "rules" BBL have plucked out of the blue. 

 

Just for others: had first hand report today of chap using funds in bank retirement told by BBL cannot withdraw for 4 months from date of issue of letter. 

 

That's just crazy. I hope other banks don't follow this as well.

According to the notices posted in Bangkok Bank, any funds added in the last 4 months could be frozen for 4 months after the letter is issued.  Immigration rules are not referenced.

 

The workaround, for those not needing a specific balance for their extension, would be to move that money OUT of the account, before requesting the letter.

 

Those who need a specific balance on the letter (400K, or 800K) would need to move funds to another bank before the "required seasoning" period begins.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Have not seen a report regarding that situation. 

Wouldn't surprise me just about anything BBL might do. 

Actually in bit if shock regarding recent "rules" BBL have plucked out of the blue. 

 

Just for others: had first hand report today of chap using funds in bank retirement told by BBL cannot withdraw for 4 months from date of issue of letter. 

 

But that should be the case only, if you didn't had the Money 4 month in your Account prior to issue the Letter.

31 minutes ago, UWEB said:

But that should be the case only, if you didn't had the Money 4 month in your Account prior to issue the Letter.

First hand report from someone obtained extension yesterday. 

4 months from date of letter. 

I'm aware of other reports that you indicate funds already in bank prior. 

Did not apply in his case. 

4 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Those who need a specific balance on the letter (400K, or 800K) would need to move funds to another bank before the "required seasoning" period begins.

 

And preferably into an IMM-dedicated account, keeping the 400k/800k parked in it permanently.

 

On 8/21/2025 at 8:46 PM, OJAS said:

 

And preferably into an IMM-dedicated account, keeping the 400k/800k parked in it permanently.

 

I follow the 800k for retirement suggestion however those on extensions marriage have nice option of for immigration only needing the 400k seasoned for two months. 

Nice deal. Tie up 400k for 12 months sweet. 

On 8/21/2025 at 10:30 PM, DrJack54 said:

I follow the 800k for retirement suggestion however those on extensions marriage have nice option of for immigration only needing the 400k seasoned for two months. 

Nice deal. Tie up 400k for 12 months not sweet. 

Not sweet indeed.

However, if your funds originate from a UK bank, it is possible the transferee could get caught by the new bank rules which are that any unusual transfers beyond a certain amount (£500 I think) will trigger an event which could freeze the account and unfreezing it would require an in person visit to a branch of that bank.

I would love it if someone could categorically confirm that is not the case

16 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

However, if your funds originate from a UK bank, it is possible the transferee could get caught by the new bank rules which are that any unusual transfers beyond a certain amount (£500 I think) will trigger an event which could freeze the account and unfreezing it would require an in person visit to a branch of that bank.

Have read this elsewhere. 

Seems almost like a prank statement. 

That would be ridiculous requirement. Certainly would be UK specific. 

With my Oz (Westpac bank) I can do just about anything. I have set 2mil (baht) as a limit per payment and for new payee the bank will send me a OTP in my Thai cell# to confirm new payee bank details. 

Seconds later I can transfer (payment) to new payee. 

 

If concerned ask in banking forum or UK specific. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Muhendis said:

However, if your funds originate from a UK bank, it is possible the transferee could get caught by the new bank rules which are that any unusual transfers beyond a certain amount (£500 I think) will trigger an event which could freeze the account and unfreezing it would require an in person visit to a branch of that bank.

I would love it if someone could categorically confirm that is not the case

You can add regular payees to your account, such as Wise.
I transfer £10,000 a time, as and when required to Wise, never had an issue.

4 hours ago, Muhendis said:

Not sweet indeed.

However, if your funds originate from a UK bank, it is possible the transferee could get caught by the new bank rules which are that any unusual transfers beyond a certain amount (£500 I think) will trigger an event which could freeze the account and unfreezing it would require an in person visit to a branch of that bank.

I would love it if someone could categorically confirm that is not the case

I visited the UK earlier this year to see an elderly friend and transferred funds to her daughter’s account for use while visiting.

On my return she attempted to transfer the unused balance of about 2500.00 UK pounds to my account in Thailand.

The money and her account were frozen despite being able to show I had transferred the money in the first place.

It took a visit to the bank and some hassle to unfreeze.

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems almost like a prank statement. 

Yes I suppose it does seem like that.

However.

The UK banks have been told by the UK govt. to be more diligent and help prevent customers losses due to scams and other fraudulent activities.

To this end the banks are now on the lookout for unusual transactions.

If such occurs, then the said bank will act by freezing the account.

In my opinion it would be better if the banks were to hold the transaction pending confirmation by the payee using OTP or some similar method.

The payee needs to be made fully aware of the scam possibility before payment is released.

On 8/21/2025 at 1:57 PM, DrJack54 said:

The balance for income method is irrelevant. It could be minimal amount. 

The letter is required to show, that you are owner of the account. 

 

Have not seen any reports of BBL freezing the funds unlike money in bank for both marriage or retirement. 

 

This might have been a case?

I was planning to use an agent for his extension got a new bank book for him BB, after his extension last year long story his acct was empty this in theory his extension was void. I needed to use an agent because I didn't think I had enough time to save up and season the 800,000 baht.

On July 4th I had obtained the 800,000 but we were going to renewal on the 8th, I now was going to still use the agent to renewal using our 800,000 baht unseasoned they said no problem if you can get a letter from BB.

 

So off we went into the bank, they said they can issue the letter but would lock the funds for 4 months we sign a form with that stipulation since it had only arrived 4 days earlier and 20 minutes later letter.

6 hours ago, Liquorice said:

You can add regular payees to your account, such as Wise.
I transfer £10,000 a time, as and when required to Wise, never had an issue.

Wise have introduced their own set of problems now with transfers to Thailand (BBL) taking 3.5 days last week using funds already cleared and available in my Wise account. 

 

I contacted them and they said that 5 working days is standard for transfers into Thailand now! 

3 minutes ago, QPRFC said:

 

I contacted them and they said that 5 working days is standard for transfers into Thailand now

When did WISE provide this advice? 

My last transfer from my Oz a/c to Kasikorn account using WISE was 14th Aug. 

Took seconds. (instant) 

1 hour ago, QPRFC said:

Wise have introduced their own set of problems now with transfers to Thailand (BBL) taking 3.5 days last week using funds already cleared and available in my Wise account. 

 

I contacted them and they said that 5 working days is standard for transfers into Thailand now! 

Which country of origin? - may be a factor.

15 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

Which country of origin? - may be a factor.

He is UK 

1 hour ago, QPRFC said:

Wise have introduced their own set of problems now with transfers to Thailand (BBL) taking 3.5 days last week using funds already cleared and available in my Wise account. 

 

I contacted them and they said that 5 working days is standard for transfers into Thailand now! 

I always manually transfer from UK bank using the faster payments method which arrives in my Wise account within seconds, then manually transfer to my Bangkok bank account, which arrives at 2pm the following day. Never had it take longer.

The banks don't complete transfers at weekends or holidays, could that have caused the delay?

On 8/21/2025 at 2:02 PM, patrickl said:

Thanks, that makes sense. 

I searched but there's no details about dependent / kids visa. For those the money only needs to be in the account for at least 1 day, even the day before is fine. Would Bangkok Bank freeze that for 4 months too? Have there been any reports?

I 'm also wondering this. No 2 month requirement is my experience (Thai Child Non-O).  Though not sure I see Bangkok Bank making the distinction. Still need the same cert/letter....Will find the relevant immigration rubric, and ask for confirmation ahead of time, I guess. 

7 minutes ago, Jay88 said:

Though not sure I see Bangkok Bank making the distinction.

Possible to change banks? 

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Possible to change banks? 

Going to try, KBank first. Hopefully the headaches are limited to BLL.

2 minutes ago, Jay88 said:

Hopefully the headaches are limited to BLL.

I think it's a BBL thing. 

If you end up trying to open a Kasikorn account could you report back your experience. 

Obviously you have current extension from a Non O. 

Take lease along if you have one and even TDL if it has your current address. 

Hopefully they would not ask for COR 

On 8/21/2025 at 5:39 PM, DrJack54 said:

First hand report from someone obtained extension yesterday. 

4 months from date of letter. 

I'm aware of other reports that you indicate funds already in bank prior. 

Did not apply in his case. 

 

So even if you have 800K in your account for more than four months, they are still freezing the funds for the subsequent four months? Or do I misunderstand? Confirmed? Which branch? 

9 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

So even if you have 800K in your account for more than four months, they are still freezing the funds for the subsequent four months? Or do I misunderstand? Confirmed?

This is part of messages from helpful member few days ago. 

Obviously it's possible bank branches could vary. 

This is a BBL thing... Not Immigration.

 

"Some social media posters are saying they only freeze it for a total of 4 months from the date of initial deposit but it is frozen for 4 months from the date of the bank balance letter - well it was for me." 

 

 

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

So even if you have 800K in your account for more than four months, they are still freezing the funds for the subsequent four months? Or do I misunderstand? Confirmed? Which branch? 

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

"Some social media posters are saying they only freeze it for a total of 4 months from the date of initial deposit but it is frozen for 4 months from the date of the bank balance letter - well it was for me." 

 

That message is from someone who deposited the 800K 2 months prior to season the funds, to find out it was frozen for 4 months from requesting the letter.

If your funds have already been in the account for 4 months prior to requesting the letter, then freezing the account doesn't apply.

On 8/21/2025 at 3:02 PM, patrickl said:

That's just crazy. I hope other banks don't follow this as well.

I have had no problems with Krungsri yellow bank for 21 years.