Bangkok Bank crackdown

[RAZZELL]

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.

 

[howerde]

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

[KhunBENQ]

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.

 

[KhunBENQ]

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.

[scubascuba3]

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