Is there any rhyme or reason as to what accounts are checked in the "Bangkok Bank crackdown"?

 

I have two friends who both have had their accounts blocked for 30 days until they go into the branch.

 

Both opened within the last year, both in Pattaya on retirement visas, both used "agents" to facilitate their visa and bank account opening.

 

Is that the common denominator? Are there a number of "problematic" branches?

 

Just wondering and waiting for the dreaded message.

 

It would seem that the majority of cases are Bangkok Bank accounts opened in Pattaya over the last 2 years, i have reduced my account to the minimum for an retirement extension just incase, mine was opened in Bangkok

Endless threads and posts about the topic.

Often the blocking is due to the fact that phone numbers assigned to the account are not registered at the mobile operators to the name of the account holder.

Can be a totally different name/person or just slight difference in spelling etc.

 

The root cause is seemingly that many "mule" accounts have deliberately been registered with a phone number to a "person behind" who can then control the account via internet banking.

 

Another reason is that Bangkok Bank opened accounts for tourists on visa exempt (30, 60 days stay). This was not strictly illegal but now they expect all account holders to be on long term stay (Non-O one year extensions etc.).

Another problem is that (a certain) Bangkok Bank (branch?) served "visa agents" for the abuse of the 800k Baht deposit method for extension of stay. Money not existed a day before application, vanishing after extension granted.

 

19 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

I have two friends who both have had their accounts blocked for 30 days until they go into the branch.

 

Both opened within the last year, both in Pattaya on retirement visas, both used "agents" to facilitate their visa and bank account opening.

Do they still have the money (800k, 400k) on the account?

If so I would not expect the agent as the problem.

 

19 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

Are there a number of "problematic" branches?

Seems so. At least one.

Not conclusive because people generally disclose guff info but I've heard those opened in the last 5 years are being targeted.

 

I've received nothing from Bangkok Bank, opened over 5 years ago

34 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not conclusive because people generally disclose guff info but I've heard those opened in the last 5 years are being targeted.

 

I've received nothing from Bangkok Bank, opened over 5 years ago

I'm not sure how far back they are going, but I received a call today from the branch that opened my accts within the past year, and they wanted some additional docs. When I got there I asked the lady what was going on, and she said every branch is reviewing their foreigners files to make sure all their docs were in order. She needed my marriage certificate, Chanote to prove my residence and she made copies of my LTR-WP visa stamps. I hope that's the end of it. It was the Emporium branch in Phrom Phong BK..

31 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not conclusive because people generally disclose guff info but I've heard those opened in the last 5 years are being targeted.

 

I've received nothing from Bangkok Bank, opened over 5 years ago

 

Yeah, opened mine 7+ years ago.

Both my Bangkok Bank accounts are more than 10 years old. Can't even recall.

Kasikorn opened in 2009 as a visa exempt tourist  (all updated regularly of course).

(SCB closed a while ago, stupidos)

 

The only irritation was Bangkok Bank on a visit asking me for my home country address!

What??? But I simply wrote down my last address in Germany (not my home country) and no questions/documents asked. Last home country address was from 1965 😁

 

Recently saw that this seems to happen to others nowadays?

I was in Kasikorn in Phuket a few months ago. Literally signs on the walls and all around the branch warning people not open dodgy accounts. This is reletive to Thai banking in general right now.

It's widely reported in the news for about the last year. 

Don't use a corrupt agent, use your own phone number. Have the correct visa. Follow the simple rules. 

People who don't and then find themselves in the sh*t only have themselves to blame.

On 8/24/2025 at 12:17 PM, sikishrory said:

I was in Kasikorn in Phuket a few months ago. Literally signs on the walls and all around the branch warning people not open dodgy accounts. This is reletive to Thai banking in general right now.

It's widely reported in the news for about the last year. 

Don't use a corrupt agent, use your own phone number. Have the correct visa. Follow the simple rules. 

People who don't and then find themselves in the sh*t only have themselves to blame.

 

When I opened my account with Bangkok Bank 18 years ago there was no requirement to have a NON-IMMIGRANT visa, although I did have one. 

 

Since then since I don’t work in Thailand and I am still way under 50, I got a DTV, expecting to be able to open an account on it. Then I find out later that it won’t be considered a long stay visa, and they have this new rule. Is all of that really my fault? The 50 year old thing is pretty arbitrary. I am pretty sick of people being so smug  about it, over the last 20 years when the only thing they did to “get legal” is be old. 

3 hours ago, Everyman said:

 

When I opened my account with Bangkok Bank 18 years ago there was no requirement to have a NON-IMMIGRANT visa, although I did have one. 

 

Since then since I don’t work in Thailand and I am still way under 50, I got a DTV, expecting to be able to open an account on it. Then I find out later that it won’t be considered a long stay visa, and they have this new rule. Is all of that really my fault? The 50 year old thing is pretty arbitrary. I am pretty sick of people being so smug  about it, over the last 20 years when the only thing they did to “get legal” is be old. 

I'm in the same boat

Eight days ago when I visited my jomtien branch of BB to verify my account with all the relevant documents. It was opened whilst on a tourist visa.

I’m now on a retirement visa. Was told it would be verified in seven days.

This morning received an email from Netflix stating that this month subscription had not been paid. Tried to pay something else online but denied. Contacted the call center, but all I got was, you need to speak to your branch. This is so frustrating.

When this cycle of my retirement visa is finished in November, I will be moving all my retirement fund out of the bank into my newly opened kasikorn bank.

 

 

I was in my local BBL branch, Sri Thep, Phetchabun,  this morning to get a new savings account passbook.  After taking my passport the lady counter staff came back with my photo ID Page and latest extension stamp both on one single page.  It was stamped with some BBL writing! and I had to sign within the box. 

I had to provide more signatures on various forms and walked out with my new book, thirty minutes, job done....

16 hours ago, Everyman said:

 

When I opened my account with Bangkok Bank 18 years ago there was no requirement to have a NON-IMMIGRANT visa, although I did have one. 

 

Since then since I don’t work in Thailand and I am still way under 50, I got a DTV, expecting to be able to open an account on it. Then I find out later that it won’t be considered a long stay visa, and they have this new rule. Is all of that really my fault? The 50 year old thing is pretty arbitrary. I am pretty sick of people being so smug  about it, over the last 20 years when the only thing they did to “get legal” is be old. 

What is your plan if you can not have a bank account in Thailand with the DTV? 

 

The not allowing DTV holders to have a Thai Bank account seems very unreasonable but seems to be the way it is going.

2 hours ago, biervoormij said:

What is your plan if you can not have a bank account in Thailand with the DTV? 

 

The not allowing DTV holders to have a Thai Bank account seems very unreasonable but seems to be the way it is going.

 

Since I’ve been rejected more than 40 times trying to open an account at other banks and branches, I’m just going to hope my account doesn’t get flagged and that the situation will blow over by the time I need a new debit card in 2028.

 

If it doesn’t , I’m just going to stay away from any bank branches and make do with the app after that and no card. 

 

If I get a new passport I will make sure not to update AIS with my new number, so that the passport numbers on the accounts still match. 

2 hours ago, biervoormij said:

What is your plan if you can not have a bank account in Thailand with the DTV? 

 

The not allowing DTV holders to have a Thai Bank account seems very unreasonable but seems to be the way it is going.

 

To get a DTV you have to show half a million baht. 

 

What do you they expect you to do what that money? Turn it into cash and carry it around Thailand in a backpack? 

6 minutes ago, Everyman said:

To get a DTV you have to show half a million baht. 

 

What do you they expect you to do what that money? Turn it into cash and carry it around Thailand in a backpack? 

 

The Thai banks have just increased their ATM withdrawal fees for foreign cards. I'm sure these greedy <...> would be best pleased if you keep using your foreign cards for cash withdrawals

20 hours ago, Finspin said:

This morning received an email from Netflix stating that this month subscription had not been paid.

I get lots of fake, scam emails saying my Netfiix hasn't been paid and will be canceled.

20 hours ago, Finspin said:

Eight days ago when I visited my jomtien branch of BB to verify my account with all the relevant documents. It was opened whilst on a tourist visa.

I’m now on a retirement visa. Was told it would be verified in seven days.

This morning received an email from Netflix stating that this month subscription had not been paid. Tried to pay something else online but denied. Contacted the call center, but all I got was, you need to speak to your branch. This is so frustrating.

When this cycle of my retirement visa is finished in November, I will be moving all my retirement fund out of the bank into my newly opened kasikorn bank.

 

 

Was it easy to open a new account at Kasikorn Bank? I'm fed up with Bangkok Bank, even though I've been a customer for over ten years. Bangkok Bank no longer provides a letter to use at Immigration detailing 12 months of the 65,000/month deposits required for my Non-OA application for permission to stay. They will provide copies of the monthly bank statements but take 5 working days to do that. 

My BB account in Buriram was blocked last month due to mismatch of names on phone and account. I was certain my name on the phone was correct as I got the monthly invoice from AIS in my name. I went to the bank with a printed copy of my invoice as proof. However, as it was my wife who registered the phone number five years ago I was not the owner of the number, just the user. So I  had to go to the phone company to transfer the ownership to myself. I got a confirmation letter to bring to the bank, and everything sorted in a couple of hours.

20 hours ago, biervoormij said:

What is your plan if you can not have a bank account in Thailand with the DTV? 

 

The not allowing DTV holders to have a Thai Bank account seems very unreasonable but seems to be the way it is going.

As the DTV is not regarded as a long term visa but a tourist visa it can't be used to open a bank account.

1 hour ago, Lamphen said:

My BB account in Buriram was blocked last month due to mismatch of names on phone and account. I was certain my name on the phone was correct as I got the monthly invoice from AIS in my name. I went to the bank with a printed copy of my invoice as proof. However, as it was my wife who registered the phone number five years ago I was not the owner of the number, just the user. So I  had to go to the phone company to transfer the ownership to myself. I got a confirmation letter to bring to the bank, and everything sorted in a couple of hours.

Just the banking app. or all the account was freezed?

It’s interesting and timely to read what the Poster has said, because I had yesterday posted asking for advice on WISE transfer via Bangkok Bank.

 

The transfer has been going well for years, but yesterday the transaction failed and WISE are refunding my money. I couldn’t figure out why? Obviously it was to do with BKK Bank. All I was told was that my banking details were incorrect!

 

Now from reading this, I suspect my account has been blocked. And it could be for security reasons!

 

 I have just returned from the UK where I had a different SIM card and used BBL while I was there. So I am hoping that is the reason.

 

I shall  go into my Branch today to find out.

1 hour ago, merijn said:

As the DTV is not regarded as a long term visa but a tourist visa it can't be used to open a bank account.

Sort of funny that a 5 year visa is not considered a long term visa but my 1 year extension is long term. 

 

I find a lot of things funny in Thailand but that is part of the joy of living here.

19 hours ago, Everyman said:

 

Since I’ve been rejected more than 40 times trying to open an account at other banks and branches, I’m just going to hope my account doesn’t get flagged and that the situation will blow over by the time I need a new debit card in 2028.

 

If it doesn’t , I’m just going to stay away from any bank branches and make do with the app after that and no card. 

 

If I get a new passport I will make sure not to update AIS with my new number, so that the passport numbers on the accounts still match. 

only problem with that line of thinking is that when you get a new passport you MUST notify the bank of the new passport #, which means that you then have to update AIS too.

3 hours ago, sghanchey said:

Bangkok Bank no longer provides a letter to use at Immigration detailing 12 months of the 65,000/month deposits required for my Non-OA application for permission to stay. They will provide copies of the monthly bank statements but take 5 working days to do that. 

 

  Just to clarify - you actually meant to post non-OA application, i.e.., the visa you obtain in your home country.

 

  You did not mean non-O for reasons of retirement, requiring an annual extension, which is the most prevalent method used by retired expats here in LOS.

1 hour ago, merijn said:

As the DTV is not regarded as a long term visa but a tourist visa it can't be used to open a bank account.

Wonder wqhat happens if you already have a Bank account (22+ years) then get a new DTV visa, will they close your bank - I bank with SCB, keep a couple million baht in it.  So far it still pays my electricity bill every month, as I am out of country, they wont take my calls.

2 hours ago, Tazmo said:

It’s interesting and timely to read what the Poster has said, because I had yesterday posted asking for advice on WISE transfer via Bangkok Bank.

 

The transfer has been going well for years, but yesterday the transaction failed and WISE are refunding my money. I couldn’t figure out why? Obviously it was to do with BKK Bank. All I was told was that my banking details were incorrect!

 

Now from reading this, I suspect my account has been blocked. And it could be for security reasons!

 

 I have just returned from the UK where I had a different SIM card and used BBL while I was there. So I am hoping that is the reason.

 

I shall  go into my Branch today to find out.

 

Out of curiousity, where is your BKK Bank branch?

Much of this Banking crackdown is mainly due to the Banks themselves now being made more responsible for accounts being scammed , losses and of course loans ( bearing in mind the high debt ratio in Thailand of the general Thai public) .  Banking and internet scams ( Pishing and now "Quishing" etc)  are all forcing more regulatory measures .    

On 8/23/2025 at 4:15 PM, RAZZELL said:

Is there any rhyme or reason as to what accounts are checked in the "Bangkok Bank crackdown"?

 

I have two friends who both have had their accounts blocked for 30 days until they go into the branch.

 

Both opened within the last year, both in Pattaya on retirement visas, both used "agents" to facilitate their visa and bank account opening.

 

Is that the common denominator? Are there a number of "problematic" branches?

 

Just wondering and waiting for the dreaded message.

 

Willing to bet the registered phone number does not match / and is unverified.

If an "agent" opened a bank account under your name ... pretty simple ... they lied, committed fraud using your name, do not have the correct sim / phone verification, authentic passport information, forged signatures, broke all kinds of laws, etc. etc. etc   Two Part Story: (1) F Around (2) FIND OUT.