Hi.

I was planning to apply for an extension to my marriage visa today, my current visa ends on 14th Jan. So yesterday I went to get the bank statement and bank letter. They told me if I want the letter they have to freeze 400,000thb for 4 months(the money has already been in the bank for 3 months) I reluctantly agreed. I had 407,000thb in there. Then last night I check my balance and it says I have only 7000thb. Now today I have to update my bank book to show 400,000 and I guess it will say 7,000. I thought they would lock the money but not remove it from the balance.

Has anyone had this happen before? What should I do?

Thank you

if that's the case then withdraw all the money, obtain a 60 day wife extension if possible , open a new bank account, I assume Bangkok bank

57 minutes ago, LKM1425 said:

Has anyone had this happen before? What should I do?

Proceed with your current plan.

Assume that you have your bank book.

Make a deposit (at bank) of 100b.

That acts as update the bank book will/should show balance of 407k

If not still attend immigration and explain BBL game.

The BBL "freezing" 400k has was introduced some time ago and no reports of issues in obtaining extension.

47 minutes ago, LKM1425 said:

I had 407,000thb in there. Then last night I check my balance and it says I have only 7000thb. Now today I have to update my bank book to show 400,000 and I guess it will say 7,000. I thought they would lock the money but not remove it from the balance.

Look, I don't know for sure, but I would not despair quite yet.
Check your account again - on my internet banking there are 2 balances, Ledger Balance and Available Balance. I'm guessing 407k and 7k in your case.

It's likely that the ledger balance will show the total amount and that when you update the passbook it will show the ledger balance, even though all the funds are not available (as you agreed to freeze 400k).

I'd go update the passbook and see what it shows. Somehow I think you'll be OK.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

2 hours ago, LKM1425 said:

Hi.

I was planning to apply for an extension to my marriage visa today, my current visa ends on 14th Jan. So yesterday I went to get the bank statement and bank letter. They told me if I want the letter they have to freeze 400,000thb for 4 months(the money has already been in the bank for 3 months) I reluctantly agreed. I had 407,000thb in there. Then last night I check my balance and it says I have only 7000thb. Now today I have to update my bank book to show 400,000 and I guess it will say 7,000. I thought they would lock the money but not remove it from the balance.

Has anyone had this happen before? What should I do?

Thank you

Chiang Mai don't require today's balance in your bank book.

You can get the letter, statement and bank book one day, then apply at immigration next day.

You really need to say which immigration office you use, they are all different.

Last poster is correct, ledger balance and available balance will be listed in the phone app, bank book only shows ledger balance.

On 1/13/2026 at 7:00 AM, LKM1425 said:

Hi.

I was planning to apply for an extension to my marriage visa today, my current visa ends on 14th Jan. So yesterday I went to get the bank statement and bank letter. They told me if I want the letter they have to freeze 400,000thb for 4 months(the money has already been in the bank for 3 months) I reluctantly agreed. I had 407,000thb in there. Then last night I check my balance and it says I have only 7000thb. Now today I have to update my bank book to show 400,000 and I guess it will say 7,000. I thought they would lock the money but not remove it from the balance.

Has anyone had this happen before? What should I do?

Thank you

Ok thats standard practice with Bangkok bank. You money "disappears" for 4 months.

On 1/13/2026 at 7:00 AM, LKM1425 said:

Hi.

I was planning to apply for an extension to my marriage visa today, my current visa ends on 14th Jan. So yesterday I went to get the bank statement and bank letter. They told me if I want the letter they have to freeze 400,000thb for 4 months(the money has already been in the bank for 3 months) I reluctantly agreed. I had 407,000thb in there. Then last night I check my balance and it says I have only 7000thb. Now today I have to update my bank book to show 400,000 and I guess it will say 7,000. I thought they would lock the money but not remove it from the balance.

Has anyone had this happen before? What should I do?

Thank you

taking odds it Bangkok Bank .....1st available option go to Kasikorn .... never a problem ( my experience )

Anywhere in the world if a bank withdraws money from your everyday account then you need a receipt or doc that shows the transfer & deposit in a new frozen account.

Never Trust a Bank.

Let me guess it's the Bangkok Bank, it still amazes me why people still use this useless bank.......

Krungsri bank are far the best, you can email them without 'logging in' and they answer you, their interest rates are on a par with others, you can send money to any other Thai bank using their ATMs, and they take a max of 15min for immigration letter and statement....👍

10 minutes ago, brian69 said:

Let me guess it's the Bangkok Bank, it still amazes me why people still use this useless bank

This "rogue rule" by BBL has caught a, few by surprise.

Especially the married folk that deposit 400k in the account couple of months prior to application for extension.

Only to find out the action by BBL when they want Bank Letter.

Thinking after that extension they will look to other banks to deal with.

This mess was not immigration driven. Purely down to bank action

My question is this my bank krug thai wanted me to update the app and that can only be done in Thailand. My wifes the same bank older phone and hers still works we are currently in the UK!

9 minutes ago, cowellandrew said:

My question is this my bank krug thai wanted me to update the app and that can only be done in Thailand. My wifes the same bank older phone and hers still works we are currently in the UK!

So what is the question?

Ask the bank manager. I'm sure he or she will explain.

I did it yesterday in Nonthaburi IO. I had to show the bank letter of having 400k thb on my bank account, then updated bank book but they also asked for a 3 months statement in order to see that the amount didn't go below 400k for the last two months - I asked for 3 months statement and that was it. I use Kasikorn

On 1/13/2026 at 11:06 AM, steve187 said:

if that's the case then withdraw all the money, obtain a 60 day wife extension if possible , open a new bank account, I assume Bangkok bank

The money has to come to the account from overseas transfer and not from another bank.. ask bank first before you get more problems..

26 minutes ago, Johno57 said:

The money has to come to the account from overseas transfer and not from another bank.. ask bank first before you get more problems..

Can someone clarify this as I have read that an extension based on marriage does not require the bank account funds to have come from abroad.

However I have also read that the funds must come from abroad.

11 minutes ago, mlkik said:

Can someone clarify this as I have read that an extension based on marriage does nit require the bank account funds to have come from abroad.

Income method or money in bank method

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Income method or money in bank method

Money in the bank.

1 hour ago, mlkik said:

Money in the bank.

Do not require proof funds from abroad

15 hours ago, WebGuy said:

I did it yesterday in Nonthaburi IO. I had to show the bank letter of having 400k thb on my bank account, then updated bank book but they also asked for a 3 months statement in order to see that the amount didn't go below 400k for the last two months - I asked for 3 months statement and that was it. I use Kasikorn

I bank with the Bangkok Bank. The branch I use does not follow this 4 month rule just the usual 2 month requirement for issue of letter confieming funds. Rhey also provide a 6 month statement.

As usual in Thailand , different places , different rules.

18 minutes ago, trucking said:

As usual in Thailand , different places , different rules.

The "freezing" of accounts by BBL has been across the board.

If some branches have not imposed that is bit of red herring.

Also it's not about bank statement it concerns the Bank Letter which is proof of Ownership of the account and balance at time of issue

2 hours ago, trucking said:

I bank with the Bangkok Bank. The branch I use does not follow this 4 month rule just the usual 2 month requirement for issue of letter confieming funds. Rhey also provide a 6 month statement.

As usual in Thailand , different places , different rules.

Which area?

20 hours ago, Johno57 said:

The money has to come to the account from overseas transfer and not from another bank.. ask bank first before you get more problems..

Gay

For marriage extensions it is not true that the money needs to come from an overseas account .

Wbr

Roobaa01

On 1/15/2026 at 3:43 AM, cowellandrew said:

My question is this my bank krug thai wanted me to update the app and that can only be done in Thailand. My wifes the same bank older phone and hers still works we are currently in the UK!

On 1/15/2026 at 3:53 AM, Upnotover said:

So what is the question?

And what is the relevance to this topic?

On 1/13/2026 at 7:00 AM, LKM1425 said:

Hi.

I was planning to apply for an extension to my marriage visa today, my current visa ends on 14th Jan. So yesterday I went to get the bank statement and bank letter. They told me if I want the letter they have to freeze 400,000thb for 4 months(the money has already been in the bank for 3 months) I reluctantly agreed. I had 407,000thb in there. Then last night I check my balance and it says I have only 7000thb. Now today I have to update my bank book to show 400,000 and I guess it will say 7,000. I thought they would lock the money but not remove it from the balance.

Has anyone had this happen before? What should I do?

Thank you

This is my concern also although money has been account for years untouch more than seasoned. Monday I need to obtain a letter but plan not to say for immigration but for U.S. Embassy personal business?

Dealing with my cousin opening acct in April and July to reapply for his extension since the money 800,000 had just arrived using agent because money had not seasoned went to BB ask for letter agree only to give letter if money was locked for 4 months which was no problem. One day I took his book to update then inserted his ATM to check balance inquiry it showed 1 million baht available but noted only 200,000 was available to withdraw. After 4 month I notice the money was still locked told at the branch that I had to bring him in personally to unlock it.

As for myself come Monday they say anything about locking money before issuing any letter. I had already prepared on Tuesday when I apply for extension to ask IO, I want to close BB book and move exactly same amount to new bank following year provide books old and new as proof for new extension.

Honestly I've been with BB over 20 years no problem these so call new policies of theirs not immigration is their own doing due to greed of branch managers in Pattaya off Sukhumvit/Klang across from Num Chai. Purpose of locking money is to prevent money laundering for new how does their so call policy apply to money that has been there for years!

As for my cousins situation deeper pockets come July once again when we ask for letter they want to lock will but after plan to contact the International law firm used to have them contact BB HQ, if necessary file a class action to stop practice with compensation. Hopefully a phone call will suffice!🤣

37 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

As for my cousins situation deeper pockets come July once again when we ask for letter they want to lock will but after plan to contact the International law firm used to have them contact BB HQ, if necessary file a class action to stop practice with compensation. Hopefully a phone call will suffice!

Surely Sarcasm. Would give you only headache and pain.

Aside: for anyone on marriage extensions wishing to change banks do that prior to seasoning window for extension.

If already in that window (two months prior to application) then just accept the BBL four month freeze and after consideration period and stamp in pp open account with another bank.

On 1/16/2026 at 7:22 PM, DrJack54 said:

Surely Sarcasm. Would give you only headache and pain.

Aside: for anyone on marriage extensions wishing to change banks do that prior to seasoning window for extension.

If already in that window (two months prior to application) then just accept the BBL four month freeze and after consideration period and stamp in pp open account with another bank.

Dr, you got me there! this would be a monumental large case doing something like that here even with a few connection would not only be sarcasm but stupid on my part. Back home with so many consumer rights agency who would gladly do it for free especially to banks $$$$ but here being a guest no protection unable to strike back the way one would, yea you got me Sarcasm!🤣

But sound advice! tomorrow I will try to get my letter if I'm told money has to be locked so be it I don't need it but come 4 months, exact day prior will get another bank account confirming I not need to go through this blackmail of BB, walk in unlock, then tell them I want to close the account get me every baht in cash then walk it across the road wave to them and make my deposit! make sure it has time to season!

42 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

I want to close the account get me every baht in cash then walk it across the road wave to them and make my deposit! make sure it has time to season

Good plan. Just open the account (different bank) first.

Then can close the BBL account.

On 1/16/2026 at 9:54 AM, Burgo1979 said:

Which area?

Bung Sam Pan , Petchabun province.

I got the statement and supporting letter for immigration in November despite my funds only being seasoned for the usual 2 months. The money was actually in the account for 3 months. Forewarned is forearmed and this year I will have the funds in the account for 4 months. I could just open another account at Kasigorn and might do so soon.