1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

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

Checked and you are right it is Baht 100

3 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

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? 

They don't.

Unless you're using a separate account with 800/400K in it, then that's the amount that's frozen.
Many simply use a Savings account for both expenses and Immigration purposes, tending to top it up 2 months before the application.

The requested letter states how much is in that particular account at the time, it's not specifically 800 or 400K and that's the amount frozen.

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

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 

Where does the announcement refer to 800 or 400K, it only refers to the 'funded amount' in the account.

I apply for extension based on Thai spouse using a separate FTD account, but the funded amount last stood at 728,119 with compound added interest over the years.

 

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

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. 

If I were in that position and required to sign an affidavit freezing the available funds in the account for 4 months in order to receive the verification letter, I'd simply withdraw the 3+ million first, leaving 800/440K in the account, then request the letter, before depositing the 3+ million back.

The same can be said for any amount above the 800/440K Immigration requirement.

18 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

If I were in that position and required to sign an affidavit freezing the available funds in the account for 4 months in order to receive the verification letter, I'd simply withdraw the 3+ million first, leaving 800/440K in the account, then request the letter, before depositing the 3+ million back.

The same can be said for any amount above the 800/440K Immigration requirement.

That's stating the blinking obvious.

I was simply pointing out the ridiculous nature of the whole thing where the balance at time of issue of the bank letter would freeze the account.

 

I await a report where someone has all the funds frozen when applying for Bank Letter (apart from your friend) 

Over this sidetrack. 

 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That's stating the blinking obvious.

I was simply pointing out the ridiculous nature of the whole thing where the balance at time of issue of the bank letter would freeze the account.

 

I await a report where someone has all the funds frozen when applying for Bank Letter (apart from your friend) 

Over this sidetrack. 

 

As stated before, Jack, the worst affected are those applying for extensions based on Thai spouse, particularly when they are just using a single Savings account for Immigration purposes and living expenses.

More ongoing shenanigans as they are now carrying out security screening on all foreign account holders. Completed mine last week.

3 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

Checked and you are right it is Baht 100

I think the previous poster you replied to, who mentioned 300 BHT, didn't mention that was inclusive of the 12-month statement.

I am still having difficulty getting my ageing head around all this and hopefully this question will not appear too ridiculous, but.....   

             So if ones account has not dropped below say 800,000 for the past 12 months prior to requesting the letter.? The general consensus seems to be that the letter will be issued as before, ok fine so far .

             But if any additional funds are transferred to the account, for whatever reason, within 4 months of requesting the status letter, lets say one transferred 200,000 baht from abroad taking the balance to around 1 million baht then this would mean, at least according @Liquorice ,that one must agree to the account, and all the money in it , (1 million baht)   being  frozen for 4 months before the bank would agree to issue the status letter? 

             If that were  to be the case then   would it not mean a badly timed interest payment being credited to the account  could cause the same problem ?

18 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

But if any additional funds are transferred to the account, for whatever reason, within 4 months of requesting the status letter, lets say one transferred 200,000 baht from abroad taking the balance to around 1 million baht then this would mean, at least according @Liquorice ,that one must agree to the account, and all the money in it , (1 million baht)   being  frozen for 4 months before the bank would agree to issue the status letter? 

That is not what I stated at all.

If the 800K funds or more have been in the account for the previous 4 months before requesting the verification letter, then the account is not affected, deposit, withdraw whatever you want thereafter.

15 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

That is not what I stated at all.

If the 800K funds or more have been in the account for the previous 4 months before requesting the verification letter, then the account is not affected, deposit, withdraw whatever you want thereafter.

Or 400,000 baht for those seeking an extension based on marriage?  

 

So, lets consider a person seeking an extension based on retirement, and lets say they they have maintained a balance all year of not less than 600,000 baht,  and then , as they  usually do , 2 months before requesting the letter they top the funds up to 850,000, 

 They now have sufficient funds in the account to satisfy immigration, but not the bank, who will want to freeze the account for four months. 

 

 So what's to stop them telling the bank that, this year, they will be changing to  an extension based on marriage ? 

As the bank have no idea what visa they are actually applying for, (other than what one might tell them),  and, as the account has contained not less 600,000 baht all year , there should be no problem for the bank to issue the letter without any freezing being required   as the requirements for a marriage extension have been met.

Then armed with the letter , off to immigration to request a retirement extension as originally intended, with the bank remaining blissfully ignorant as to which visa extension was actually being applied for

 

That could be a way out for some who may be affected by this could it not ?

 

Sorry for prattling on about this, but I'm just trying to fully understand this ridiculous, and somewhat ambiguous  situation along with any possible solutions / workarounds  to avoid being caught out in the future

2 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

So what's to stop them telling the bank that, this year, they will be changing to  an extension based on marriage ? 

The policy of BBL is nothing to do with Immigrations financial requirements.
As you state, they would have no idea which type of extension you intend to apply for.

On 9/12/2025 at 4:44 PM, chang50 said:

It's almost as if they are trying to push expats towards visa agents..

 

Not if it's the agents money that's going to get frozen for four months in the first place.

54 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

The policy of BBL is nothing to do with Immigrations financial requirements.
As you state, they would have no idea which type of extension you intend to apply for.

So if I had 600k in my account and 2 weeks before requesting the letter I send another 400k to my account. how would the bank determine whether the account was adequately funded , which would be the case for a marriage extension ?

Or inadequately funded, and requires freezing, which would be the case if I was applying for a retirement extension? do they just take my word for it?

Beats me and the more I think about it the more confused I get, for example why would immigration be satisfied with 400/800 k in an account albeit seasoned for 2 months  if the account holder might have no access to it at the time?

2 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

So if I had 600k in my account and 2 weeks before requesting the letter I send another 400k to my account. how would the bank determine whether the account was adequately funded , which would be the case for a marriage extension ?

Or inadequately funded, and requires freezing, which would be the case if I was applying for a retirement extension? do they just take my word for it?

They don't ask.

Case in question, a friend who uses a single Savings account for Immigration and expenses purposes transferred 400K to his account a couple of months ago to prepare for his upcoming extension application.
On requesting the verification letter, he was informed of the new rule and required to sign the affidavit.

(Apparently, because he just recently transferred a large lump sum to his account that wasn't in it for the previous 4 months)
At the time of requesting the letter, his account balance was 526,000 BHT, and it was that amount that was frozen.
He transferred another 100,000 BHT next day.
His account then showed a balance of 626,000 BHT, but only 100,000 available to withdraw.

 

I told him faced with that same situation, I'd have withdrawn 126,000 cash, then requested the letter in the amount of 400K for Immigration.
He was shocked at the time and just didn't think of that.
If you have another account, transfer the excess above the Immigration requirements.

 

It's sounds similar to when you take a credit card with the account amount being the guarantee.
The available credit is dictated by the balance on the account.

 

On 9/12/2025 at 3:59 PM, DrJack54 said:

Your OP is bit all over the shop. 

You require 2 things 

1. 12 month bank statement that you obtained. 200b 

2. Bank Letter. That's a simple statement that confirms you as sole owner of the account and balance in day of issue. 100b 

 

Now in reference to #2 BBL have gone into maniac mode and requiring you to sign a bank (made up) form that you agree not to withdraw funds for 4 months from date that was in the bank. 

 

Just do it and move on. 

After extension is granted suggest you change banks. 

 

The start over options etc you mention are pretty much crazy so would avoid that

 

Ok thanks to this post it all got sorted out, yes ask for a confirmation Letter that this is your account, dont mention verification, they still had to ask one of the girls and she said yes and its 100 baht. Immigration was not sure either but after a picture and send upstairs I think it was ok. If I had not read your post I would probably be rustling up the 400k mto freeze for 4 months.

On 9/14/2025 at 7:28 PM, Liquorice said:

I think the previous poster you replied to, who mentioned 300 BHT, didn't mention that was inclusive of the 12-month statement.

The 12 month statement from memory was 120 Baht.

17 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

The 12 month statement from memory was 120 Baht.

Letter 100b  12 month bank statement 200b

On 9/12/2025 at 3:44 PM, chang50 said:

It's almost as if they are trying to push expats towards visa agents..

Got to earn a penny or two eh!

Post with disguised bad language removed. This will be ramped up as it's against forum rules and becoming common place. 

It appears that this problem is with this particular branch of the bank. I have just lodged my Marriage Extension last week and now have to wait until next month for the stamp. I bank with the Bangkok Bank and must wait for 1 week for the 12 month statement as it has to come from the head office of the bank and not from the branch cost 200B and then I get my bank letter 100B from the bank branch which is a guarantee letter that I have the bank account in my name only. By the look of things either the bank branch is corrupt or both the back branch and immigration office ore corrupt. Move your bank account to another branch or even another bank.

I do the 65k monthly method and make sure I have the FTT code for each transfer. My bank account is Bangkok Bank and I got my 12 month statement and guarantee letter yesterday (confirming 12 transfers each with FTT and over 65k). No problems and very pleasant service. I have to remember to transfer from my UK bank in GBP to get the FTT code. If I transfer in baht I get a Bahtnet code because of an intermediary bank, and immigration won't accept it. Its so annoying that different bank branches have different "rules", same as different immigration offices. Every year there is some new "innovation" to the systems, need for health insurance, stricter TM30, no embassy letters etc. Still, this is Thailand and its still worth the hassle.

You can thank the Visa Agents who facilitate fraudulent Retirement Extension applications for those who can't really afford to be here.

On 9/12/2025 at 9:55 PM, NorthernRyland said:

 

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

It is not a question of interfering with immigration policy, there is no obligation on a bank to provide such a document it is only a matter of customer service.  It would appear that this is where they failed, in not providing adequate notification of the change. As for angle,  as the largest bank in the country maybe they are beginning to think foreigners are too much of a headache.

Very shortly after TMB were taken over by Thanachart I had to go and get the letter. When we arrived at the branch all the staff had been replaced and was told that Thanachart Bank did not provide such a service. Fortunately my wife who is fairly confident with authority told the manager that we had been getting a letter from that branch for many years and it was still a TMB bank, insisted she check with head office. It took several calls to get someone who understood the requirement and then some time to sort out the wording required. Seemed nobody knew where the previous TMB records had gone. Think it took about 4 hours to get the problem resolved.

23 minutes ago, Satcommlee said:

You can thank the Visa Agents who facilitate fraudulent Retirement Extension applications for those who can't really afford to be here.

Nothing to do with current situation with BBL. 

Many news articles regarding the issues. 

In the main to do with money laundering, scam call centers etc. 

Predominantly certain nationalities

39 minutes ago, sandyf said:

It is not a question of interfering with immigration policy, there is no obligation on a bank to provide such a document it is only a matter of customer service.

 

Immigration requires the letter from a Thai bank and yet the bank has no legal obligation. That's so typical of communication between Thai people and it goes all the way up the government levels too.

1 hour ago, Satcommlee said:

You can thank the Visa Agents who facilitate fraudulent Retirement Extension applications for those who can't really afford to be here.

Were that the case, then Thais wouldn't be affected.
The reality is, all banks are freezing accounts of foreigners and Thais without notice.
Thais are up in arms as even businesses are affected.
Bank of Thailand and the Government have pledged to stop this practice.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3105078/lawmakers-aim-to-end-wrongful-bank-account-freezes

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3104922/bank-of-thailand-aims-to-quickly-unlock-frozen-accounts

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

 

TIT, and you reinforce my reasoning as to why I have used an agent for my time here. Oh, I meet all the requirements but ... the agencies know if there is a new boss wanting to make their mark, who got up on the wrong side of the bed, etc. Just worth it for me not to figure new twists and turns even if just once a year.

My Thai lady told me there's a big scandal going on in Thailand right now. One bank (we won't name it for security reasons) is freezing accounts for four months, claiming that money from a fraudulent account was allegedly transferred to them. Ordinary fruit and street food vendors are suffering. People are panicking and going to the bank to withdraw money, only to be turned away.
These events suggest that the bank's actions may not be infringing on the rights of foreigners. The rights of Thai citizens are being infringed just as much.

11 minutes ago, zmisha said:

My Thai lady told me there's a big scandal going on in Thailand right now. One bank (we won't name it for security reasons) is freezing accounts for four months, claiming that money from a fraudulent account was allegedly transferred to them. Ordinary fruit and street food vendors are suffering. People are panicking and going to the bank to withdraw money, only to be turned away.
These events suggest that the bank's actions may not be infringing on the rights of foreigners. The rights of Thai citizens are being infringed just as much.

Read my post above.
It's now not just one bank, but all banks.

3 hours ago, Satcommlee said:

You can thank the Visa Agents who facilitate fraudulent Retirement Extension applications for those who can't really afford to be here.

Not fraudulent, LEGAL!!! They are pushing people to use agents, can't you see?

Off topic post removed