Bangkok Bank for expats

[NanLaew]

18 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

UPDATE: Had a second pass at ther Bangkok Bank branch I want. Accepted the paperwork, sent to head office for approval. Went next door & opened an account at Thai Farmers with no hassle at all.

 

SCB, Krungsri are my next targets. Can't catch me--I'm the Gingerbread Man!

 

Good news, keep us updated. Also mention any variances in the required paperwork between banks.

[NanLaew]

8 minutes ago, Explorator en Actione said:

I opened that account when I was working in Thailand 20 years ago, kept money in it for whenever I was visiting.  But you are right, in this day and age, I think we should have more than one.  I have several accounts in my home country, as well as a Schwab Int’l card, so don’t expect I’ll ever run out of money - but SCB can say ‘Hey, no can do’. I’ll have a backup.       Peace

 

My sole BBL account was similarly opened about twenty years ago, when things were less fraught, on a visa-exempt entry. I will be changing my immigration status here in early 2026 and hopefully by then, there will be a bit more clarity and stability with regard to new banking rules and regulations and the ease of opening at least one more account.

[SongSomSoda]

i opened last october with only my passport and thai driving licence  😄  working perfecly fine , so lucky.

 

now, impossible.

 

so happy , i even bought Bangkok Bank Shares @3.70 Euro (wish bought more!) 

[Billpro785]

My friend, US expat opened a second bank account on Thursday at Bangkok Bank in Kanchanaburi, and had no issues. He has a existing bank account with them, but he needed a second account without a ATM for his US Social Security deposits. Took him maybe a hour if that. 

[sharot724]

I added a second account so my SSA deposit needs to be transfered (in person) Into my spending account BBK

[sharot724]

I got a call from my Saraphi BBK asking I bring in a copy of my house registration.

[Everyman]

47 minutes ago, Billpro785 said:

My friend, US expat opened a second bank account on Thursday at Bangkok Bank in Kanchanaburi, and had no issues. He has a existing bank account with them, but he needed a second account without a ATM for his US Social Security deposits. Took him maybe a hour if that. 

 

What visa does he have. 

[PeachCH]

Still curious how the "money lending agents" are handling the situation. Rumours are, that they found already a way. Don't know any details.

[BKK57]

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

I have 2 accounts with Bangkok Bank so I can keep my 800K in a fixed deposit account where it earns a little bit of interest & makes it impossible to accidentally spend it down below the amount I need to keep for my extensions.

 

I also have an account with Kasikorn bank, mainly because if Bangkok Bank is having any "Technical Issues" I can use the KBank account but also it helps spread the risk of keeping >1Million THB in a single Bank. 

 

I (My Partner) recenty opened an account with Krungsri in her name (Though I have the app on my phone/atm card etc...) so if anything ever happened to me, she could use the Bank Book to take money out of the account to live on whilst things get sorted, currently have approx. 3 months expenses in there but plan is to keep topping it up until there's 1 years expenses covered which should be enough until she can get access to my main accounts. 

 

 

I would definately recommend anybody to have more than 1 account, especially if that 1 account is with Bangkok Bank

with regards to the fixed deposit account at BBK, you say that is accepted by immigration for visa extensions? Does that type of account have a bank book like the regular account?  What bank docs do you show them. What's the current rate of interest? Inquiring minds want to know.  I think the current rate for the regular accounts is 0.25 percent, about 2,000 baht on an 800,000 baht account balance.

[SamSpade]

29 minutes ago, BKK57 said:

with regards to the fixed deposit account at BBK, you say that is accepted by immigration for visa extensions? Does that type of account have a bank book like the regular account?  What bank docs do you show them. What's the current rate of interest? Inquiring minds want to know.  I think the current rate for the regular accounts is 0.25 percent, about 2,000 baht on an 800,000 baht account balance.

Yes the account is accepted by Immigration & has an Orange Bankbook.
 

I use an agent (for convenience) so show the Bankbook & a 3 month statement, not sure whether doing it yourself would require a 12 month statement or not.
 

Interest rates were 1.7% when I opened it on a rolling 6 months basis, looks like it’s 1.05% for 7 months currently. 
 

[kingstonkid]

On 8/31/2025 at 10:19 AM, unblocktheplanet said:

Precisely my reason!

Were you trying to set up the secnd account at the same back you have your present acount.  

 

Might try talking to them about moving the 800 into a different account and see if that works better.

 

 

[Hanuman2547]

I opened my Bangkok Bank account 32 years ago and still use it.  Glad I never closed it out.

[Wrwest]

On 8/30/2025 at 2:39 PM, EVENKEEL said:

Yes. Same exact story.  They wanted a yellow book. I can't be bothered 

 

Went to Kbank and no problem with passport and DL. It was a pleasant experience. 

Received mobile message from Kbank. Please come in and update info. No problem but they did ask for Social Security Nimbler. IO pointed out to them that we are told not to give out SS # and it is not the same as a Thai ID number. Rather a moot point with SS numbers hacked in the USA  by DOGE access I suppose.

[sharot724]

When I brought to BBK per thier requested House Residency number copy. I found out the original application for my account years ago had been reviewed. One of four verifications was missing. I will expedite a Residency Certificate  to clear this up.

[Burma Bill]

On 8/30/2025 at 2:32 PM, Explorator en Actione said:

I have never needed more than one account.

 

When I lived in Thailand, I only had one account with, coincidentally, Bangkok Bank. Now I live in Cambodia and I have three accounts with my bank, first a current account, second a savings account that pays interest and third a Riels account as mandated by the Government which remains unused.

[CM Dad]

I have never had trouble with Bangkok Bank.

[Dickp]

I open my first BBK account in 1986, use it deposit money based on planning on building a house here. House was build and the account how just takes care of just the monthly house bills, water, TV cable, Internet, electricity and land line phone. Just keep enough to last about four months of bills. Open 2nd BBK account fixed for the 800,000 for Annual Immigration retirement  Ext. I have four bank account in three different banks. Wife has six different bank accounts in four different banks. Thats how I spread my savings around in Thai banks. And like most experts I have  1/4 of my savings here and 3/4 in my home country.

[fittobethaied]

On 8/30/2025 at 10:04 PM, oldcpu said:

 

I suspect it depends on the individual and their personal financial situation. Not all of us are the same in this regard.  Like most (I suspect) I keep most of my money outside of Thailand. 

 

Having typed that, I used to have five accounts with Bangkok Bank (now I am down to only four).  I used to have with Bangkok Bank (1) regular THB account (2) fixed THB account (I used to keep my 800k THB in this account for a Type-O/OA visa support ( but I have since  closed this account )) , (3) US$ Foreign currency account, (4) Canadian $ Foreign currency account (5) Euro account.  I suppose if one considers the Bangkok Bank credit card guarantee account that could be #6 with Bangkok bank .. ... And I have other accounts as well with other banks (SCB, Krungsri).   

 

Why?  I diversify. Never all one's eggs in one basket. Especially IMHO with banks.  

 

Obviously that is an absolutely silly strategy for many - but again, it really depends on one's own finances. Our financial situations can be very different.

Hopefully, you are aware that your money in an FCD account is not guaranteed by the equivalent of the FDIC in America which insures deposits. If they go belly up, we're screwed!

[unblocktheplanet]

Actually, we're pretty screwed anyway looking at  strong baht.

[Blueman1]

WTF Is it with Bangkok Bank ?? They want to charge my Mrs because Her Account (which is in Credit) Because She hasn't Updated her book for a WHOLE 2 1/2 MONTHS !! They sent her a Letter saying her account has been INACTIVE for that amout of time !!

[oldcpu]

3 hours ago, fittobethaied said:

Hopefully, you are aware that your money in an FCD account is not guaranteed by the equivalent of the FDIC in America which insures deposits. If they go belly up, we're screwed!

 

That is true for some European countries also - and not just Thailand.  I have money outside of Thailand in multiple currencies. 

 

I think all banks in the world put a limit on how much they guarantee ... and after that, frankly, it makes no difference what currency one's money might be in. The guaranteed amount has been exceeded and all money after that at risk.  Regardless of the currency, it will not be guaranteed once one exceeds a certain amount.  (and I also have larger equity trading accounts that exceed any amount in the banks).

 

I have said this before - and I will again - it really depends on one's individual financial situation.

 

[oldcpu]

I was at my Bangkok bank over a month ago (so to transfer 50K-euros out of that Bangkok bank FC account to another Thai bank foreign currency account).  I noticed a small withdrawal out of my Thai baht account that I did not recognize.

 

I had my Thai wife with me, and so she asked the bank rep for me (in Thai) what was that Thai baht withdrawal for? 

 

The bank representative noted it was for an annual Bangkok Bank credit card payment (where I rarely use that card any more as I have one's from other Thai banks that i prefer). 

 

My wife didn't miss a beat - she noted to the bank representative my 50k euro transfer could have been bigger, and noted given the amount left in Bangkok Bank was still substantial, she did not like my being required to pay an annual credit card fee (I think my wife said it more politely than that).

 

The Bangkok Bank rep took note, made a phone call, and said she had my annual fee cancelled. But the Bank rep advised I had to use the credit card more than just sitting mostly dormant. My wife asked how much must I spend?  The rep suggested maybe use it for 5,000 Thai baht in the next month.  We agreed.   Within the day I had used the card for much more than 5,000 THB in purchases.

 

Reading this thread and others, I can not help but think that the Bangkok Bank experiences are very different, and they depend a LOT on the individual's bank branch and also on one's finances/experiences, and also on one's familiarity with the staff at the respective Bangkok Bank branch.

[couchpotato]

10 hours ago, SamSpade said:

Interest rates were 1.7% when I opened it on a rolling 6 months basis, looks like it’s 1.05% for 7 months currently. 
 

Remember those are per annum interest rates, so 1.05%pa is only about half that for 7 months.

[DrJoy]

1 hour ago, oldcpu said:

Reading this thread and others, I can not help but think that the Bangkok Bank experiences are very different, and they depend a LOT on the individual's bank branch and also on one's finances/experiences, and also on one's familiarity with the staff at the respective Bangkok Bank branch

It's pretty much every bank/ branch. They operate like fiefdoms here.

[remobb]

I have been with this bank since 1999 and I now hate it. I have told them they are now the worst bank in the world as far I am concerened. Why do they call it 'Bangkok Bank?' As it is a Chinese bank I beleive. Hate their Union Pay card.

[sandyf]

On 9/1/2025 at 3:06 PM, Photoguy21 said:

Have a look into cyber security and it will let you see just how easy it is for these guys to get your information

With the current issues at the Jaguar factory in the UK there has been several interviews on the news with cybersecurity gurus.

Saw one last night who said the problem will only get worse until the old boys network wakes up. Historically board members have come up through business via recognised routes, but his view was that time has come for cybersecurity expertise to to be present at board level. Until that happens the hackers will always be one step ahead.

Fairly obvious banks would be in a high risk category.

 

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has instructed factory staff to stay at home until at least Tuesday as the company continues to grapple with the fallout from a cyber attack.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jzl1lw4y1o

[topt]

3 minutes ago, remobb said:

Why do they call it 'Bangkok Bank?' As it is a Chinese bank I beleive.

Wrong - maybe have a look here and learn something -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Bank

[lungbing]

That tells you when it started, not how.  Which is a wholly different kettle of fish.

[Farmerslife]

13 hours ago, lungbing said:

That tells you when it started, not how.  Which is a wholly different kettle of fish.

I think you've got your wires crossed 

 

"Bangkok Bank is a publicly traded company and does not have a single owner; its primary shareholders include Thai NVDR Company Limited with 29.70% ownership, South East Asia UK (Type C) Nominees Limited with 4.16%, and the Social Security Office with 3.15%. As a public company, it is owned by its shareholders, with these entities holding the largest stakes. "

 

Furthermore the Thai NVDR Company is wholly owned by the Stock Exchange Thailand.