I need to change my phone number at my bank. I went there today and they asked for a tax invoice from the mobile provider. No problem, I picked that up right away. However, they also insisted that I take out the 6000 baht insurance again.

When I asked why, the staff member said that I already took the insurance when I opened the account in 2023, but that I have to do it again because “the computer says so.” Whatever that is supposed to mean.

I don’t want to make a big issue out of this, because I need the account for my retirement visa. To get that done, I need the banking app, and to use the app I must first change my phone number.

My suspicion is that this is simply a commission-driven up-sell. I even briefly considered handing over an envelope with 1,000 baht and a note saying that I do not want insurance, just to get this resolved quickly.

So my question is whether anyone has experience with this or any advice on how to handle it.

To add to the confusion, while I was writing this, a friend told me the bank claimed there is still an unpaid insurance amount in their system as “back pay.” But that doesn't make sense, because they explained that I would be insured for the coming year.

I am still strongly contemplating if i should not go with the 1000 envelope and be done with it.

Just to clarify in advance: switching to another bank is not a practical solution for me.

Say no, no requirement to have their rubbish insurance

49 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Say no, no requirement to have their rubbish insurance

I would agree with you if my retirement visa was not expired. As I understand it, they can close the account or freeze it until i have my new retirement visa.

4 minutes ago, sign70 said:

I would agree with you if my retirement visa was not expired. As I understand it, they can close the account or freeze it until i have my new retirement visa.

They can do the same after you paid for the insurance. Just tell them to get lost

1 hour ago, sign70 said:

To get that done, I need the banking app, and to use the app I must first change my phone number.

Could you not do any banking on your PC, not on your phone.

Just now, wil iam not said:

Could you not do any banking on your PC, not on your phone.

That is the thing, the agent that takes care of the retirement visa and the financials, needs the the bank app to be functional. That way I don't have to put up the 800k myself. I can only get into the app again when they change my phone number first. I\d love to tell them off, but in this case I'm not holding the cards. So if I get what I want for 1k, I would see it as a win, considering the other options. But i have no idea what they are thinking. Tomorrow i first have to go to immigration for a 30 day extension and then I pass by the agent to hear his thoughts about this, and after that go back to the bank. I just thought i through it up here on the forum to see what others say. And no, non of us wants to get scammed but it is about weighing options.

2 hours ago, sign70 said:

I am still strongly contemplating if i should not go with the 1000 envelope and be done with it.

In the current climate with all the banking issues I am surprised you are even considering this.....

I also, unless I missed it, don't see which bank you are with?

2 hours ago, sign70 said:

I would agree with you if my retirement visa was not expired. As I understand it, they can close the account or freeze it until i have my new retirement visa.

Sadly, they've got you by the balls, as you seem to be in Thailand as a tourist currently. They could indeed close your account if they choose to.

2 hours ago, topt said:

In the current climate with all the banking issues I am surprised you are even considering this.....

I also, unless I missed it, don't see which bank you are with?

Yeah, I did consider but I understand that staff their could be chasing KPIs. And I kept the rest vague because the action I should take are not bank depended. I have an account that is working fine, I just cannot use my app anymore.

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

Sadly, they've got you by the balls, as you seem to be in Thailand as a tourist currently. They could indeed close your account if they choose to.

Hehe, I'm taking my balls back quick. It has been suggested that I should go to another branch and see if they don't demand an insurance. I'll also push back harder and ask them to show me the rules of these accounts. If those are the rules, the must be written down somewhere. They are free restrict my account. We can even close it on the spot with and take my money out. My backup solution is a little bit more expensive, but has the advantage that I don't have to travel for the new visa. The price of letting my Non O expire. 😅

Thank you all for your feedback!

Fight this as much as you can. "Insurance" here means you give them money and maybe under some circumstance of their choosing they'll give you some back later. Go to another branch if you need to but don't just accept this as procedure.

What even is this insurance for? since when do you need insurance to open a bank account? Immigration should give you a letter requesting you need to open an account and that should be enough for them to take your money.

9 hours ago, sign70 said:

That is the thing, the agent that takes care of the retirement visa and the financials, needs the the bank app to be functional. That way I don't have to put up the 800k myself. I can only get into the app again when they change my phone number first. I\d love to tell them off, but in this case I'm not holding the cards. So if I get what I want for 1k, I would see it as a win, considering the other options. But i have no idea what they are thinking. Tomorrow i first have to go to immigration for a 30 day extension and then I pass by the agent to hear his thoughts about this, and after that go back to the bank. I just thought i through it up here on the forum to see what others say. And no, non of us wants to get scammed but it is about weighing options.

As soon as you get your retirement extension open accounts at 2 other banks, then they can't blackmail you for any reason

On 1/8/2026 at 4:18 AM, scubascuba3 said:

As soon as you get your retirement extension open accounts at 2 other banks, then they can't blackmail you for any reason

I will surely do that.

For now, I went to the same branch and another person helped me. First she took care of the issue and then asked about the insurance. I could just say no, and she didn't press any further. The app is working now.

On 1/7/2026 at 11:36 AM, sign70 said:

My suspicion is that this is simply a commission-driven up-sell.

Yes, the bank clerk gets commission when selling an insurance.