Bangkok Bank: fixed deposit

Kasikorn: fixed deposit

Krungsri: timed deposit

(add to the list)

 

From own experience over many years I used fixed deposit from Bangkok Bank for "visa" extension purpose.

 

I changed method for extension away from fixed deposit since two years:

I want to get rid of Bangkok Bank as much as possible (close fixed deposit).

If moving money to other bank it would still be good to have it for extension in case of ...

 

Who uses a fixed/timed deposit from other banks for extension?

Do these deposits allow withdrawal of full balance any time (loosing interest), a requirement for extension?

 

Yes, I have read on Kasikorn and Krungsri websites, but the information is from extensive.

 

BTW

Yesterday got caught by the same catch 22 as others.

Immigration asking for bank letter (why if using 12 monthly transfers?). The balance is irrelevant! (was 3xx k).

Bangkok Bank: no way, new policy.

Bangkok Bank: run as fast as you can!

 

Is this in Pattaya? Seems all the Bangkok Bank branches there are refusing to offer the bank letter relevant to monthly transfers.  Other branches elsewhere seem to be doing so normally with scattered reports of same, but solved by going to a different branch without the stick up their...

7 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Is this in Pattaya? Seems all the Bangkok Bank branches there are refusing to offer the bank letter relevant to monthly transfers.  Other branches elsewhere seem to be doing so normally with scattered reports of same, but solved by going to a different branch without the stick up their...

Believe it or not: it's inconsistent and from what I got yesterday at Central Khon Kaen branch:
can not... headquarter policy... 800k blabla

I DON'T HAVE 800k TO FREEZE! (was my normal savings account for 12 monthly transfers)
My wife calmed me down as my cortisol level was rising.

Incompetent BS!

How can this be applied to an account far from 800k?

EDITED: Khon Kaen!

4 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

 

Bangkok Bank: run as fast as you can!

 

I stated this in an unrelated thread about Wise transfers, I collected about 4 thumbs down. I guess some people just love to have problems

 

32 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Immigration asking for bank letter (why if using 12 monthly transfers?). The balance is irrelevant! (was 3xx k)

First up read your OP few times. Still confused. 

 

Regarding the "Bank Letter" that is required for using funds in bank method and Also if using Income method. 

The bank letter shows two things. 

1. Balance at time of printing 

2. Ownership of the account (ie your name only) 

 

Agree the balance is irrelevant for income method. 

 

So currently what's your situation? 

Due for extension renewal and banking with BBL using income method? 

You cannot just change banks. 

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

First up read your OP few times. Still confused. 

I should have separated the Bangkok Bank letter stuff from the first part.

I have my extension stamp (had a joker) and change of banks is for next year in case all else fails 

 

Unfortunately no responses to the basic question of fixed accounts at other banks.

Will likely be in Pattaya next month and hope to get info at the major branches.

 

Joker: getting nervous after reading about the BBL chaos I arranged to get an income letter by sending copies per email to the consul in Pattaya and getting the original certificate per postal mail. 

The income letter made up for getting extension stamp in less than 15 min before lunch break (speeding up a second time to the office).

Yes it's most convenient but will it be provided indefinitely?

To avoid confusion: certificate from German consul. My life did some bends.

 

I think I will continue sending 65k+ monthly but now to Kasikorn (or Krungsri).

 

 

9 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Unfortunately no responses to the basic question of fixed accounts at other banks.

 

I have used a fixed account with Kasikorn before. They are accepted as long as you can withdraw at any time without capital loss.

20 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Unfortunately no responses to the basic question of fixed accounts at other banks.

Fixed Term accounts are the same in principle at all Thai banks, although interest rates may vary.

You can make a withdrawal at any time during the term of the account but will lose some of the interest.

To add to Liquorice:

 

If you cannot afford to place at least 800K baht into a fixed (or regular) savings account in a Thai bank and forget about it for a year, then you probably cannot afford to retire in Thailand.

 

It's that simple.

16 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

To add to Liquorice:

 

If you cannot afford to place at least 800K baht into a fixed (or regular) savings account in a Thai bank and forget about it for a year, then you probably cannot afford to retire in Thailand.

 

It's that simple.

 Bulls.hit but thanks.

13 years of money rotting is enough when having sufficient income.

Want to use the money freely not frozen.

20 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Fixed Term accounts are the same in principle at all Thai banks, although interest rates may vary.

You can make a withdrawal at any time during the term of the account but will lose some of the interest.

Thanks for first usable answer to the original question.

13 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

If you cannot afford to place at least 800K baht into a fixed (or regular) savings account in a Thai bank and forget about it for a year, then you probably cannot afford to retire in Thailand

Absolute nonsense. 

I've just switched to income method that requires no funds to be maintained in a Thai bank account let alone 800k 

The 800k requirement is a load of crock even moreso at the ridiculously low interest rates banks have. 

On top of that cannot even be used in emergency such as medical. 

It's a scam that we farang put up with

A good friend is currently using Kbank FD,  and has been doing so for 2 years. At CW. 

I don't know if he can withdraw the money any time, but I am pretty sure @Liquorice is right. 

11 minutes ago, Lorry said:

I don't know if he can withdraw the money any time,

Money can be withdrawn instantly from an FD account without loss of funds apart from interest.

On 10/11/2025 at 1:40 PM, DrJack54 said:

Money can be withdrawn instantly from an FD account without loss of funds apart from interest.

Let's say my 1 year extension isn't denied due to that little 350 baht issue I had last year for one day

How to change from BBl to my FD at K-Bank, try to rush over from Immigration and withdraw the 800k and deposit it at K-bank before the branch closes? Is it really possible to change banks used for retirement extension without wiring more funds over from my country?

@Asean Tiger

If retirement extension wait until you enter the 400,000 minimum period and transfer 400,000 to the new account. Once you are sure it is there you can transfer the remainder!

You can in theory do it one day but my suggested way is safer!

Edited May 7May 7 by scottiejohn

On 10/9/2025 at 4:18 PM, DrJack54 said:

Absolute nonsense. 

I've just switched to income method that requires no funds to be maintained in a Thai bank account let alone 800k 

The 800k requirement is a load of crock even moreso at the ridiculously low interest rates banks have. 

On top of that cannot even be used in emergency such as medical. 

It's a scam that we farang put up with

Its not a scam, it's their regulations that we must put up with to stay here. You and others must remember that many people do not have a pension, and therefore cannot use the 'income method, and can only use the 800k in the bank, or agent funds method.

1 hour ago, scottiejohn said:

@Asean Tiger

If retirement extension wait until you enter the 400,000 minimum period and transfer 400,000 to the new account. Once you are sure it is there you can transfer the remainder!

You can in theory do it one day but my suggested way is safer!

Thanks for the reply. What would not be safe? My FD account is already open and I would move the cash over myself and have a receipt and passbook update.

26 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

You and others must remember that many people do not have a pension, and therefore cannot use the 'income method, and can only use the 800k in the bank, or agent funds method.

I don't qualify for a pension and being Oz do not have embassy income letter.

My extensions are using income method.

1 minute ago, Asean Tiger said:

Thanks for the reply. What would not be safe? My FD account is already open and I would move the cash over myself and have a receipt and passbook update.

Follow advice given.

Best to wait till 400k period and do change of accounts then as outlined.

27 minutes ago, Asean Tiger said:

Thanks for the reply. What would not be safe? My FD account is already open and I would move the cash over myself and have a receipt and passbook update.

NOT CASH!

Bank to bank transfer ONLY so you have both a paper trail and cash security!

3 hours ago, Asean Tiger said:

Let's say my 1 year extension isn't denied due to that little 350 baht issue I had last year for one day

How to change from BBl to my FD at K-Bank, try to rush over from Immigration and withdraw the 800k and deposit it at K-bank before the branch closes? Is it really possible to change banks used for retirement extension without wiring more funds over from my country?

Absolutely.

Open an FTD account at Kasikorn, then transfer the 800K from Bangkok Bank.
That way funds remained in a bank account the whole time.

Just provide financial evidence from both banks at renewal time.

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Follow advice given.

Best to wait till 400k period and do change of accounts then as outlined.

I appreciate your visa advice at the highest level of excellence.

Explain exactly how you would do it, step by step.

I have the funds overseas to wire another 800k at any time if that is best.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I don't qualify for a pension and being Oz do not have embassy income letter.

My extensions are using income method.

No, but you have an income from rentals and are fortunate CW do not request proof of the source of the income.
If CW starting requesting and only accepting the proof of income from a pension, you'd have to switch back to the 800K funds.

3 hours ago, Asean Tiger said:

Thanks for the reply. What would not be safe? My FD account is already open and I would move the cash over myself and have a receipt and passbook update.

You need to do like was recommended by scottie. Wait until after 3 months past your extension date, so you're in the 400,000 baht period. Then you transfer 400,000 baht to your new account and wait a couple of days to let everything settle.

Then after a few days you transfer the other 400,000 to the new account.

If you transfer the entire 800,000 and it doesn't fully settle as a deposit until 1-2 days later, you've now gone 1-2 days at 0 balance which is against the rules. During the period where you only need 400k, you can transfer 400k and still meet the rules. Then once it's settled in the new account, you transfer the other 400k, so you're meeting the rules in the new account when the money leaves the old account.

This will ensure there's no way bank records, delays, or anything else could catch you with less than the required amount in one of your bank accounts.

Do note that you will be required to provide proof of BOTH bank accounts for your next extension, to show you met the requirements for the 3 months after your extension in the old accounts, and then the requirements in your new account for the rest of the year.

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

If CW starting requesting and only accepting the proof of income from a pension, you'd have to switch back to the 800K funds.

Fact is they don't.

In any event I set up monthly income from my Oz super fund in case of change of immigration policy.

Ridiculous that some offices are fixated on the word "Pension" when some wealthy folk don't qualify for pension

35 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

You need to do like was recommended by scottie. Wait until after 3 months past your extension date, so you're in the 400,000 baht period. Then you transfer 400,000 baht to your new account and wait a couple of days to let everything settle.

Then after a few days you transfer the other 400,000 to the new account.

@Asean Tiger follow this advice from Brandon. Visa expert

15 hours ago, Asean Tiger said:

Thanks for the reply. What would not be safe? My FD account is already open and I would move the cash over myself and have a receipt and passbook update.

Arrogance is your enemy, if there is any day where the deposited balance drops below 400k, you are cooked, like when your deposit today is posted at 12:01am tomorrow. Moving banks needs tp be done very precisely.

@DrJack54 Accolades. I am sure I understand now. With a tenuous chance of extension approval onerously looming in two months the more I think about it I probably will just tank it, re-enter Thailand in October with a fresh Non-O visa and do the extension in January.

@cjinchiangrai Thanks. Never worried about it because I don't (in theory) use my 800k+ account at all. But, for changing banks, comprehend now fully the remarkably burdensome nature of pre-and post extension seasoning requirements when changing Thai banks.

1 minute ago, Asean Tiger said:

@DrJack54 Accolades. I am sure I understand now. With a tenuous chance of extension approval onerously looming in two months the more I think about it I probably will just tank it, re-enter Thailand in October with a fresh Non-O visa and do the extension in January.

@cjinchiangrai Thanks. Never worried about it because I don't (in theory) use my 800k+ account at all. But, for changing banks, comprehend now fully the remarkably burdensome nature of pre-and post extension seasoning requirements when changing Thai banks.

I never said it was a bad idea, just that it would be easy to mess it up.