49 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

12 month statements can be issued on the spot from the HQ branch on Silom Road.

Thanks again, Liquorice.

Knowing that the Bangkok Bank Head Office on Silom Road can issue the 12-month statement immediately removes one of the main reasons I was considering opening the dedicated account with another bank.

54 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

The DPA only guarantees deposits up to 1 million baht per depositor, per financial institution in the event of a banks liquidation. (highly unlikely).

Funds exceeding this limit are subject to the bank's liquidation process, where depositors become creditors seeking recovery of their remaining assets.

Depending how much you intend to keep in Thailand in a combination of a Savings and FTD account, it could be worthwhile splitting the amounts into two seperate account with two separate banks.

The hype with Bangkok bank is their new policy of freezing the account for 4 months when requesting the bank account balance letter for Immigration, if funds of 400/800K haven't been in the account for the previous 4 months prior to requesting the letter, they will not issue the letter unless you grant authorisation and agree to freeze said amount for 4 months afterwards.

As it's an Immigration requirement when using the 800K funds for a retirement extension to keep 800K in the account for 3 months after the extension is granted, so it has the minimal effect in your circumstances. The following year, funds held in a dedicated account, the letter will be issued on request, the funds having already been in the account for the previous 4 months.

The DPA limit isn't really an issue in my case, as I normally keep less than 200,000 THB in my everyday Bangkok Bank savings account.

As for Bangkok Bank's freeze policy, I now understand it much better. In practice, it wouldn't really be a problem for me either, because Immigration already requires the 800,000 THB to remain in the account for the required period. If I use a dedicated FTD account, I wouldn't be touching those funds anyway.

55 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

It would certainly in my opinion be easier to open an additional account at the branch where you currently have an account.
I keep the funds necessary for Immigration in my Bangkok bank FTD account, and transfer funds as and when required to my Bangkok Bank Savings account for day to day living expenses. The total of the two accounts rarely exceeds 1.2 million.

That's not to say from a personal preference point of view, it wouldn't be an advantage to have a separate account with a different bank. If that is your preference then try to open the FTD account at Kasikorn or any other local bank branch that's easily accessible to your place of residence.

Your explanation has made Bangkok Bank's policy much clearer than it was before.

I'm now leaning towards simply opening an FTD account at the Bangkok Bank Head Office branch on Silom Road, where my current account is held. Given everything you've explained, that now seems to be the simplest and most practical solution.

Much of the hatred against BBL is unjustified as far as I'm concerned. I've had a FTD and a savings acct for over 13 years without a problem. Their mobile app is easy to use and on the rare times I've had to go to a branch, the service has been exemplary

Be aware that BBL will be closing their internet web banking service to all retail customers in the foreseeable future.

I recently opened a Kasikorn savings account, simply to have a plan B. TBH, I prefer their mobile app and the more modern approach to banking that they offer. My daily use is probably 50/50 now with a preference towards KBank for daily purchases. I don't like to use cash unless I'm at the local market!

As with everything, it's a matter of personal choice, what suits one person won't be suitable for another. I do believe having a bank account with a different bank is beneficial as a safeguard, especially as the annual cost is negligible. As the old proverb states, 'don't put all your eggs in one basket'.

22 minutes ago, Madgee said:

Much of the hatred against BBL is unjustified as far as I'm concerned.

That possibly depends on your extension marriage v retirement.

Many on retirement use dedicated Bank a/c as I did previously.

That group unaffected

Maintained 800k + all year round.

The group blindsided were marriage that just used 400k for two months prior to extension. Some of that group budget on access to those funds.

Even threads re use of funds during under consideration period.

Let's be clear. I would not have been affected by this BBL rubbish if I was unfortunate enough to have BBL a/c

However be objective. It's not about "I'm ok doesn't concern me"

And you state unjustified?

I state Mongrel Bank.

Frankly find it amazing that this could occur.