Last week I went into a branch of Bangkok Bank to obtain my statement for the annual visa extension based on marriage.

I have done this in the same bank for about 5 or 6 years. It has never been a problem before. However, on this occasion they informed me that I had to sign a form which would mean that I had to keep a balance of 400,000 in my account for the next four months.

They also demanded a copy of our marriage certificate and my wife's ID card. As far as I'm concerned, this is none of their business. I sort of assumed that this might be yet another directive from the immigration office but, it was not.

I tried phoning the bank today and still have not got a proper explanation only, that it is "the banks policy". It was like talking to a brick wall! 

I have enough to live on until the 400,000 is released but I am rather concerned as to what I would do if some unexpected emergency were to arise.

I am also rather annoyed (to say the least) with the bank for assuming that they have the right to control MY money in this manner.

Has anybody else encountered this situation and, if so, what did you do about it?

Are other banks doing this?

Many reports about this, luckily only Bangkok Bank. Recommended solution? Change your bank.

If the 400k hasn't been in the bank 4 months prior to you obtaining the letter, BB will then freeze you're account at 400k for 4 months after the letter is issued. This is BB rules, not immigration rules, immigration still expect the funds to be in 2 months prior to extension.

It's been widely documented on this forum, have a look through the threads.

52 minutes ago, mrjohn said:

However, on this occasion they informed me that I had to sign a form which would mean that I had to keep a balance of 400,000 in my account for the next four months

This, nonsense is BBL specific.

Started months ago and covered in many threads.

Just one person's opinion do the up coming extension using BBL and at some point move to using another bank.

Thanks for these replies. I haven't been on the forum much lately so, I must have missed any debate about this.

If anybody could post any links where this has been discussed before, I would be very grateful.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1382131-bangkok-bank-have-locked-my-400000-baht-balance-for-4-months/

@mrjohn this link works.

BTW: removed the dud link along with reply pointing that out. Ta

3 hours ago, mrjohn said:

Last week I went into a branch of Bangkok Bank to obtain my statement for the annual visa extension based on marriage.

I have done this in the same bank for about 5 or 6 years. It has never been a problem before. However, on this occasion they informed me that I had to sign a form which would mean that I had to keep a balance of 400,000 in my account for the next four months.

They also demanded a copy of our marriage certificate and my wife's ID card. As far as I'm concerned, this is none of their business. I sort of assumed that this might be yet another directive from the immigration office but, it was not.

I tried phoning the bank today and still have not got a proper explanation only, that it is "the banks policy". It was like talking to a brick wall! 

I have enough to live on until the 400,000 is released but I am rather concerned as to what I would do if some unexpected emergency were to arise.

I am also rather annoyed (to say the least) with the bank for assuming that they have the right to control MY money in this manner.

Has anybody else encountered this situation and, if so, what did you do about it?

Are other banks doing this?

The b400k is presumably set by immigration as an amount of money for a married couple to live on. If Bangkok bank freezes the b400k (in exchange for providing a letter), then a married couple doesn't have the b400k to live on for the 4 months after the extension application, and therefore seems contrary to immigration requirements.

The bank account and the letter/statement is your bank account, not a joint account, so what gives Bangkok Bank the right to ask for your wife's details - just doesn't seem right (first time I've seen any one mention this happening).

Seems us aliens are caught in the middle of a Bangkok bank and Immigration blackhole, and no Thai authority is interested.

Let's just hope other banks don't follow Bangkok bank.