9 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

The insurance requirement (400K฿ or 3M฿ depending on who you last talked to) isn't a problem for me: at age 76 & healthy I need good health insurance but keep it cheapish by maximizing the deductible

What is cost of your annual insurance for a 76yr old

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

What is cost of your annual insurance for a 76yr old

Last year, with a deductible of 40K, it was (round figure) 75K฿ for 3M฿ cover. I plan to increase the deductible this year, which will reduce the cost ...

7 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Last year, with a deductible of 40K, it was (round figure) 75K฿ for 3M฿ cover. I plan to increase the deductible this year, which will reduce the cost ...

Correction, I just checked: It was 80K.

1 minute ago, mfd101 said:

Correction, I just checked: It was 80K.

Close enough. Thanks for sharing. 

If suits you then that's all that counts

In a worst case scenario where no suitable temporary fix is possible , the OP could go to a neighboring country , obtain a new Non O for 90 days , then when this runs out extend in country for another 60 days ( visiting wife ) .

This would give a total of 5 months. This should be enough time to open a new bank account elsewhere.

46 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Just to be clear. 

Immigration require 400k in bank for two months prior to application for extension. 

The BBL nonsense is bank driven. 

It's a form to lock access to the 400k for 4 months. 

Have you maintained 400k for 2 months priir prior to application for extension? 

 

Yeah I put it back to 400k on August 20th and my extension is early December. 

 

Why is there this form to lock the access for 4 months? I understand the Bangkok seems have to gone rogue and is playing immigration for some strange reason but it's not clear where/who this affects. I know the official rule is 2 months but if the bank is playing by different rules then we're in trouble all the same.

4 minutes ago, trucking said:

This would give a total of 5 months. This should be enough time to open a new bank account elsewhere

Borderline crazy idea

1 minute ago, NorthernRyland said:

Why is there this form to lock the access for 4 months? I understand the Bangkok seems have to gone rogue and is playing immigration for some strange reason but it's not clear where/who this affects. I know the official rule is 2 months but if the bank is playing by different rules then we're in trouble all the same.

Pretty good summary. 

Especially the "gone rogue" reference. 

For folk on extension retirement it's no big deal as funds need to be maintained for 3 months after extension. 

The worst hit are guys on marriage extensions. 

Some may need the 400k after extension approval. 

So they the hard done by in this nonsense

Just now, DrJack54 said:

The worst hit are guys on marriage extensions. 

Some may need the 400k after extension approval. 

So they the hard done by in this nonsense

 

ok so that's me then, marriage extension. BBL is Bangkok Bank? Not sure what the L is though.

 

If that's really their policy now then I won't be able to get the required documents since I never froze my account for 4 months. This would be the only time I got properly screwed over in Thailand as the bank never alerted me. Kind of unbelievable they would do this and then show up to immigration and get denied and have to leave the country.

 

What should I do then? Should I go talk to bank and ask them for more information? If this is imminent I want to know 100% so I can plan for it.

5 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

ok so that's me then, marriage extension. BBL is Bangkok Bank? Not sure what the L is though.

Bangkok Bank Ltd.

 

5 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

If that's really their policy now then I won't be able to get the required documents since I never froze my account for 4 months. This would be the only time I got properly screwed over in Thailand as the bank never alerted me. Kind of unbelievable they would do this and then show up to immigration and get denied and have to leave the country.

 

What should I do then? Should I go talk to bank and ask them for more information? If this is imminent I want to know 100% so I can plan for it.

This is the notice posted in many Bangkok bank branches.

 

If the said funds haven't been in the account for 4 months at the time of requesting the account verification letter for Immigration, then you are required to sign an affidavit agreeing to freeze the said funds in the account for the next 4 months.
Refuse to agree and sign the affidavit, no verification letter. 

4 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

The bank letter is just confirmation you hold and account on the day of the letter and its balance on that day. Any transfers are not mentioned in the letter, they are in the bank book or statements.

Yes it seems it maybe a missing in translation thing, I will try and ask for the  Bank Letter. That's a simple statement that confirms you as sole owner of the account and balance in day of issue. 100b 

and be home free.

4 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

If the said funds haven't been in the account for 4 months at the time of requesting the account verification letter for Immigration, then you are required to sign an affidavit agreeing to freeze the said funds in the account for the next 4 months.
Refuse to agree and sign the affidavit, no verification letter. 

 

Ok I understand now, thanks for explaining. Freezing the account for 4 months is not a problem for me so I will comply.

 

Nonetheless it's pretty unbelievable a bank would unilaterally decide to interfere with immigration matters uninvited. I wonder what their angle is.

This makes no sense. I have extended my stay based on marriage for the past 5 years always maintaining 400K + in my Bangkok bank account and always received a letter and 3 months transaction transcript as my immigration in Kalasin wants to see the 400K in the account for 3 months which is no big deal. Nothing is clear, but according to stories on this thread, are you telling me that the bank won't issue me the letter because I haven't signed a form allowing them to freeze my funds?...If that's the case it looks like I'll be back at the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet for my yearly O marriage visa.

10 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Bangkok Bank Ltd.

 

This is the notice posted in many Bangkok bank branches.

 

If the said funds haven't been in the account for 4 months at the time of requesting the account verification letter for Immigration, then you are required to sign an affidavit agreeing to freeze the said funds in the account for the next 4 months.
Refuse to agree and sign the affidavit, no verification letter. 

This seems to the sticking point, you are not asking about the status of the account only that it is solely in your name or am I wrong again

5 hours ago, zmisha said:

Instead of going back to Australia you can also make a short one day visa run to Laos. As far as I know they don`t require any verification letter for Non-O based on marriage.

 

You're about a year out of date with your information.  All visas are handled through the e-visa system now, so expect about a week in Laos if you want to apply for a non-O visa there.

 

5 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Is the 400,000Baht deal the only thing that BKKBk is being difficult on? 

 

I shall be fronting up here in Surin in 4 or 5 weeks using the monthly 65KBaht minimum method for O/A-derived extension. I'm not expecting any difficulty and will be asking for the usual covering letter that says I am the proud owner of this fine account and have been since the beginning of time etc etc. Or should I be getting anxious and contemplating fleeing to another refuge?

 

There have been sporadic reports of Bangkok Bank refusing to issue letters for people using monthly income. Most reports I've read were resolved when the person went to a different branch and got the letter without issues.  The only thing you can count on in Thailand is that nothing makes sense.

1 minute ago, BillyBloggs said:

This seems to e the sticking point, you are asking about the status of the account only that it is solely in your name or am I wrong again

Correct, what Immigration refer to as a verification letter, confirming your name, account number and balance.

3 minutes ago, nightfox said:

This makes no sense. I have extended my stay based on marriage for the past 5 years always maintaining 400K + in my Bangkok bank account and always received a letter and 3 months transaction transcript as my immigration in Kalasin wants to see the 400K in the account for 3 months which is no big deal. Nothing is clear, but according to stories on this thread, are you telling me that the bank won't issue me the letter because I haven't signed a form allowing them to freeze my funds?...If that's the case it looks like I'll be back at the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet for my yearly O marriage visa.

If you keep 400k in your account all year, then there's no issue.  The only time they require you to sign the letter to freeze your account is if you haven't had the funds in your account for 4 months at the time you request the bank letter.

3 minutes ago, nightfox said:

This makes no sense. I have extended my stay based on marriage for the past 5 years always maintaining 400K + in my Bangkok bank account and always received a letter and 3 months transaction transcript as my immigration in Kalasin wants to see the 400K in the account for 3 months which is no big deal. Nothing is clear, but according to stories on this thread, are you telling me that the bank won't issue me the letter because I haven't signed a form allowing them to freeze my funds?...If that's the case it looks like I'll be back at the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet for my yearly O marriage visa.

Read the notice again.
If said funds (400/800K) have been in the account for 4 months, then the letter will be issued.

3 minutes ago, nightfox said:

This makes no sense. I have extended my stay based on marriage for the past 5 years always maintaining 400K + in my Bangkok bank account and always received a letter and 3 months transaction transcript as my immigration in Kalasin wants to see the 400K in the account for 3 months which is no big deal. Nothing is clear, but according to stories on this thread, are you telling me that the bank won't issue me the letter because I haven't signed a form allowing them to freeze my funds?...If that's the case it looks like I'll be back at the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet for my yearly O marriage visa.

According the picture posted if it was held for at least 4 months they will issue the letter. If you're like me and withdraw money with less than 4 months (a new rule they made up without notice) then apparently they will freeze the account for 4 months and issue the letter once you agree.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

The worst hit are guys on marriage extensions. 

Some may need the 400k after extension approval. 

So they the hard done by in this nonsense

 

Whereas there will, on the other hand, be absolutely no question whatsoever in all probability of "the manager of a bank branch on Pattaya Klang Road in tambon Nong Phrue of Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, and three other employees at the bank" (to quote verbatim from Madgee's link) being fired from their posts. And I highly doubt whether any judicial punishment meted out to them for their misdeeds will take the form of anything harsher than an extremely gentle rap on the knuckles.

 

In the meantime, Bangkok Bank will continue to go after their foreign account holders with reckless and gleeful abandon, with the sole and avowed aim of making their banking lives in LOS just as difficult as is humanly possible.🤬

 

6 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

.......then apparently they will freeze the account for 4 months and issue the letter once you agree.

Correct. 

Which in reality is not a big deal for some. 

Eg many folk using money in bank retirement just maintain 800k in a dedicated account all year round. 

Some married guys just maintain the 400k for the two months minimum. 

This could be difficult for some. 

Those guys may change banks in the future. 

Find the whole thing deplorable. 

 

So ,in the case of a marriage extension, as long as the required  400,000 baht funds have been in the the account for at least 4 months prior to requesting the verification letter its business as usual and they issue the letter as before ?   

 

       Out of interest, what if the account, having been allowed to run down over the year, was subsequently funded with say 1 million baht, but only 3 months prior to requesting the letter ?  The customer needs to agree for the  account to be  "frozen"  in order for the bank to agree to issue the letter presumably? 

       Does this mean one would have no access to the entire 1 million baht for the ensuing  four months or would it only restrict access to 400,000 baht of it ?

       

Just now, Bday Prang said:

So ,in the case of a marriage extension, as long as the required  400,000 baht funds have been in the the account for at least 4 months prior to requesting the verification letter its business as usual and they issue the letter as before ? 

Yes.

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

Out of interest, what if the account, having been allowed to run down over the year, was subsequently funded with say 1 million baht, but only 3 months prior to requesting the letter ?  The customer needs to agree for the  account to be  "frozen"  in order for the bank to agree to issue the letter presumably? 

Yes.

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

Does this mean one would have no access to the entire 1 million baht for the ensuing  four months or would it only restrict access to 400,000 baht of it ?

It's the total funds in the account at the time of requesting the letter.
It has nothing to do with the Immigration financial requirements.

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Does this mean one would have no access to the entire 1 million baht for the ensuing  four months or would it only restrict access to 400,000 baht of it ?

My understanding is no access to 400k. 

 

On 9/12/2025 at 3:18 PM, BillyBloggs said:

I started getting ready for my Non O reason Marriage last week I ordered the 12 monthly statement on my account.

Yesterday we rang and it was ready, went down to get it and everything was fine until I asked for the verification letter, which I usually get for 300 baht, was told they dont issue as the statement is good enough( actually it is but, the police order still states they need a letter) they then stated that they only give a verification letter for 400,000 baht held for 4 months were they plucked that from only knows, I said thats fine but I was never told this at anytime even when they had me in to do the over the top person verification and they kept parroting the 400,000 baht bit, all well and good but I brought the money in in good faith and now you wont verify it.

Sure enough lob at immigration this afternoon and was told I need a letter, I said they wont  give one, I even said ok I will get copies of transfer from my bank to wise then transfer by wise to Bangkok bank, nope, he even tried Korat and Surin and they have the same problem the officer was very very helpful he tried his best, its stupid for a bank to change the rule and not tell its customers but then its Thailand, they should have covered this year and then told cant do next year.

What are my optoins, I have until the 21st of September

1 Go back to Australia and start all over again, Definitely not a preferred option.

2 Find an agent to handle this for me.

3 Find a lawyer to do it for me

4 Start a class action suit against Bangkok bank( there will be more than just little old me caught in this, if in another country would be my preferred option.

Sorry it is so long but hell Im so frustrated

 

How come it costs you 300 Baht? I pay 150 Baht from Bangkok bank

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My understanding is no access to 400k. 

 

It's the total in the account at the time of requesting the letter, Jack, as a friend discovered this last week.
Bangkok Bank wouldn't have a clue which type of extension you'd be applying for, or the financial requirement.

 

Pays to have two accounts, or more, one for Immigration purposes and one for living expenses.

12 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

How come it costs you 300 Baht? I pay 150 Baht from Bangkok bank

150 BHT, I only pay 100BHT for the verification letter.

On 9/12/2025 at 4:02 PM, DrJack54 said:

That will not work

No, but another bank will work. Just to put 400k in for the first year. No probs. If no have 400k, cannot live abroad. Zero issue!

24 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Bangkok Bank wouldn't have a clue which type of extension you'd be applying for, or the financial requirement.

But as  its the type of extension one is applying for that dictates whether 400,000 or 800,000 baht is required. It must be  something they take into consideration ?  Otherwise how would they know how much needed to be in the account? 

 

and ones current visa stamp would give them a pretty good indication which extension one was applying for

12 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

It's the total in the account at the time of requesting the letter, Jack, as a friend discovered this last week.

Well first hand experience/report trumps anyone's understanding. 

 

Here is longish thread and my first post includes link to another thread that has posts with BBL announcements. 

They refer to 400k and 800k 

and also makes reference to "depends on type of visa" 

 

How would it be if someone has say 3+ million in his account in addition to the amount for extension be that 400k and 800k.

Funds that were set up for eg purchase of real estate. 

 

Let's face it BBL is making up their own rules on the run.