For years I have transferred the equivalent of 66K THB per month for extensions based on original nonImm OA retirement visa.

Got a shock last week when I went, as usual, to Bangkok Bank to ask for the 12 months of statements (which take 5-7 days) and ask to make sure they could print, as usual, the 12 credit advices and the bank letter in one or two days just before my TI appointment at CW. For the first time ever the bank staff told me that according to "a new rule" they could only issue the bank statement if I had 400K in my bank account, and if I didn't, I could deposit 400K and it would be ok but then they'd need to freeze the account for 4 months. Is this true or have then got things confused with the requirements for extensions based on marriage visas?

8 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

For years I have transferred the equivalent of 66K THB per month for extensions based on original nonImm OA retirement visa.

Got a shock last week when I went, as usual, to Bangkok Bank to ask for the 12 months of statements (which take 5-7 days) and ask to make sure they could print, as usual, the 12 credit advices and the bank letter in one or two days just before my TI appointment at CW. For the first time ever the bank staff told me that according to "a new rule" they could only issue the bank statement if I had 400K in my bank account, and if I didn't, I could deposit 400K and it would be ok but then they'd need to freeze the account for 4 months. Is this true or have then got things confused with the requirements for extensions based on marriage visas?

Yes plenty of reports of BB freezing the 400 000 or 800 000 for 4 months, this started last year.

12 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

For the first time ever the bank staff told me that according to "a new rule" they could only issue the bank statement if I had 400K in my bank account

A new rule edicted by Bangkok Bank or Thai immigration? Probably the former, they are not an expat-friendly bank.

Edited May 31May 31 by rattlesnake

All about BB.

Nothing to do with immigration.

Outrageous and unfair? You betcha,

But what can you do it about it except to change banks for future extensions IF you can open a new bank account.

Edited May 31May 31 by Jingthing

So with this little tidbit, and I'm with BBL, which bank do most people like that do the monthly income deposit.

Though going back to marriage or even retirement lump sums, temporarily isn't a problem. Till I ditch BBL, if they try to enforce that.

Just don't like being told I have to leave money in there, if not an IMM requirement. Also means I'll need to file FBAR, and one more thing I'd prefer not to do.

If any help got this from IM, Jomtien and upon request for the guidelines when doing my last extension last December.

They are applying their made up "rule" that they impose on people using the money in bank method for extensions. It should not be relevant to you as you are using the income method, neither you nor immigration care what your final balance is, only that you make the required monthly deposit. However, trying to find someone in the bank to understand that may prove difficult. Maybe a call to customer service would be a good idea? (although maybe no more than 20% I guess but nothing lost).

52 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

Got a shock last week when I went, as usual, to Bangkok Bank to ask for the 12 months of statements (which take 5-7 days) and ask to make sure they could print, as usual, the 12 credit advices and the bank letter in one or two days just before my TI appointment at CW.

Nothing surprises me regards BBL.

Since this new prank of freezing the funds for 4 months if the funds have not been maintained in the account.

In the main it was the folk using money in bank method and just seasoning the 400k for two months prior to application were caught out.

The guys on retirement extension using money in bank method many leave the 800k all year round and were unaffected by this BBL nonsense.

I'm also using income method and wondered what BBL would do to their customers regards those using income method.

Why? Because for that method funds do not need to be kept in the account.

I have not seen a report of this action been done on accounts using income method.

I must have typed over 100 times that if you use BBL bank then Run Forest Run. Have nothing to do with them.

55 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

For years I have transferred the equivalent of 66K THB per month for extensions based on original nonImm OA retirement visa.

Got a shock last week when I went, as usual, to Bangkok Bank to ask for the 12 months of statements (which take 5-7 days) and ask to make sure they could print, as usual, the 12 credit advices and the bank letter in one or two days just before my TI appointment at CW. For the first time ever the bank staff told me that according to "a new rule" they could only issue the bank statement if I had 400K in my bank account, and if I didn't, I could deposit 400K and it would be ok but then they'd need to freeze the account for 4 months. Is this true or have then got things confused with the requirements for extensions based on marriage visas?

Someone has their knickers in a twist at your branch of Bangkok bank.

This is what they are referring to;

If using the 400/800K method and that sum hasn't been in the account for 4 months prior to requesting the status of account letter, then the letter will only be issued on agreement to freeze those funds for 4 months afterwards.

If using the monthly income method, then only funds in the account at the time of requesting the letter should be frozen for 4 months.
You can continue to transfer and withdraw funds above that frozen amount. At least that's how the BBL banks apply it here.

Many foreign customers of BBL have opened new accounts at other banks for this reason.

Edited May 31May 31 by Liquorice

24 minutes ago, Kandinski said:

If any help got this from IM, Jomtien and upon request for the guidelines when doing my last extension last December

The info you posted simply outlines the financial requirements.

There has been no change to that.

It's the introduction of additional requirement from rogue bank BBL to comply with before providing you with Bank Letter. Mind blowing.

7 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

If using the monthly income method, then only funds in the account at the time of requesting the letter should be frozen for 4 months.
You can continue to transfer and withdraw funds above that frozen amount. At least that's how the BBL banks apply it here.

Apart from transferring in excess of 65k per month (income method) I also maintain a balance of approx 900k + in the account.

If I did use BBL (thank god I don't) then why would there be a need to freeze any funds for those using income method

I

1 hour ago, JTPR1 said:

For years I have transferred the equivalent of 66K THB per month for extensions based on original nonImm OA retirement visa.

Got a shock last week when I went, as usual, to Bangkok Bank to ask for the 12 months of statements (which take 5-7 days) and ask to make sure they could print, as usual, the 12 credit advices and the bank letter in one or two days just before my TI appointment at CW. For the first time ever the bank staff told me that according to "a new rule" they could only issue the bank statement if I had 400K in my bank account, and if I didn't, I could deposit 400K and it would be ok but then they'd need to freeze the account for 4 months. Is this true or have then got things confused with the requirements for extensions based on marriage visas?

Annual O retirement using 66 k montly. CM

My Bangkok Bank branch last week processed my 12 deposit bank statement request for 200b

No freezing

Try another branch of Bangkok Bank. Then another, and another. This is very common in Pattaya and basically no Bangkok Bank branch down there will do bank statements for people using monthly income anymore. But I've read reports from multiple people that went to different branches outside of Pattaya and got what they needed without issue. So that's what I would suggest for you, continue trying different branches until you find one that isn't being obstinate.

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

If I did use BBL (thank god I don't) then why would there be a need to freeze any funds for those using income method

You'd have to ask them. I spoke to the HQ concerning this matter and their is no logic or reasoning with them ........ it's policy.
They didn't seem in the least concerned that they could loose hundreds of foreigner customers accounts to other banks. (Mai pen rai).

I am with BBL because they are my local convenient bank, but I keep funds in a FTD account so haven't had any problems.

38 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Someone has their knickers in a twist at your branch of Bangkok bank.

This is what they are referring to;

If using the 400/800K method and that sum hasn't been in the account for 4 months prior to requesting the status of account letter, then the letter will only be issued on agreement to freeze those funds for 4 months afterwards.

If using the monthly income method, then only funds in the account at the time of requesting the letter should be frozen for 4 months.
You can continue to transfer and withdraw funds above that frozen amount. At least that's how the BBL banks apply it here.

Many foreign customers of BBL have opened new accounts at other banks for this reason.

If you are using the monthly income method, why would you need to 'maintain' a balance, or show IO any other account details?

Luckily, my IO in Phitsanulok allow the Combination of 400k deposit in one account and then 35k per month into a separate account, so just two simple statements.

1 hour ago, JTPR1 said:

or years I have transferred the equivalent of 66K THB per month for extensions based on original nonImm OA retirement visa.

Why 66k, when the rules say 65k?

37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The info you posted simply outlines the financial requirements.

There has been no change to that.

It's the introduction of additional requirement from rogue bank BBL to comply with before providing you with Bank Letter. Mind blowing.

Exactly my point posting the official, at least in Jomtien, regulations.

12 minutes ago, earlinclaifornia said:

Annual O retirement using 66 k montly. CM

My Bangkok Bank branch last week processed my 12 deposit bank statement request for 200b

No freezing

Yes, I've never had the problem before. It's not the statements and credit advices they're saying they can't do. It's the letter.

It's unbelievable. I do own the account. I do have a balance. They can't write a letter to verity these two things, which they've done for years? They just want to force people to have a large on-going balance.

7 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

You'd have to ask them. I spoke to the HQ concerning this matter and their is no logic or reasoning with them ........ it's policy.
They didn't seem in the least concerned that they could loose hundreds of foreigner customers accounts to other banks. (Mai pen rai).

I am with BBL because they are my local convenient bank, but I keep funds in a FTD account so haven't had any problems.

I guess Bangkok Bank is just trying to get people to change to the "money in the bank" method? Because the paperwork of 12 months of statements requested from HQ and printing 12 credit advices is too much bother for someone who doesn't maintain a large balance? Surely it cannot be because the letter verifying ownership and balance is too much bother.

I started using Bangkok Bank because my other bank (Krungsri) would not show the transfers as from overseas (FFT).

1 minute ago, Kandinski said:

Exactly my point posting the official, at least in Jomtien, regulations.

Yes but you are referring to immigration rules.

This freeze nonsense for the Bank Letter has been introduced by BBL.

Has nothing to do with immigration.

12 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

I guess Bangkok Bank is just trying to get people to change to the "money in the bank" method? Because the paperwork of 12 months of statements requested from HQ and printing 12 credit advices is too much bother for someone who doesn't maintain a large balance? Surely it cannot be because the letter verifying ownership and balance is too much bother.

I started using Bangkok Bank because my other bank (Krungsri) would not show the transfers as from overseas (FFT).

I have used Bkk Bank both in Pattaya and Phitsanulok for 20 years and never had any problems. If the transfers are from say Wise or Revolut or SWIFT, they arrive marked FTT, Foreign Transfer, so no Credit Advices are needed, but I can understand that not all Bkk Banks work the same.

Edited May 31May 31 by wil iam not

17 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

If you are using the monthly income method, why would you need to 'maintain' a balance, or show IO any other account details?

All IO's request what BBL refer to as a letter of status of account.
That is the letter that confirms your name, account number, and the balance.

6 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I have used Bkk Bank for 20 years and never had any problems. If the transfers are from say Wise or Revolut or SWIFT, they arrive marked FTT, Foreign Transfer, so no Credit Advices are needed, but I can understand that not all Bkk Banks work the same.

It's not about whether transfers are marked as FTT or you have to request credit advice receipts.

If for example you were on extensions based on marriage and transferred the 400K funds into your account 2 months prior to submitting your next application, then when requesting the standard letter for Immigration, unless that 400K had been in the account for 4 months prior, BBL will refuse to issue such letter unless you sign an affidavit agreeing to freeze that amount for 4 months after the letter is issued.

5 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

All IO's request what BBL refer to as a letter of status of account.
That is the letter that confirms your name, account number, and the balance.

Yes that is the normal procedure, Bht 100 per letter, per account, plus statement charge Bht 200, well that's what my Bkk Bank charges, and IO acccept.

25 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

I started using Bangkok Bank because my other bank (Krungsri) would not show the transfers as from overseas (FFT).

You could have requested 'credit advice' receipts which detail and confirm an overseas transfer.

Example from BBL;

27 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes but you are referring to immigration rules.

This freeze nonsense for the Bank Letter has been introduced by BBL.

Has nothing to do with immigration.

Exactly right. I’m hoping my local branch will cut me some slack this year since it’s a “new policy” and they’re blindsided me with it just before I need to go to Immigration. (I’ll go to BBL HQ if I need to.)

2 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

You could have requested 'credit advice' receipts which detail and confirm an overseas transfer.

Example from BBL;

Every year I always request 12 credit advices and statements for 12 months and the letter, because that’s what Chaeng Watthana requires. The change this year only has to do with the letter, which they say they won’t do without a balance of 400K, which they will also freeze. Unbelievable. Has nothing to do with immigration. I

Only BBL “new policy.”

9 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

Every year I always request 12 credit advices and statements for 12 months and the letter, because that’s what Chaeng Watthana requires. The change this year only has to do with the letter, which they say they won’t do without a balance of 400K, which they will also freeze. Unbelievable. Has nothing to do with immigration. I

Only BBL “new policy.”

You stated Krungsri didn't show your transfers as International.
You could have requested 'credit advice' receipts, which detail the foreign bank and currency, as evidence of an overseas transfer.

Bangkok Bank began aggressively freezing accounts around May 2025, with a major wave of sudden, unannounced account freezes heavily impacting foreign residents and tourists starting in September 2025. This was triggered by the Bank of Thailand's nationwide anti-fraud and anti-money laundering (AML) crackdown targeting "mule" accounts.

Bangkok Bank began enforcing stricter eligibility rules, requiring foreigners to hold long-term visas, own property in Thailand, or be married to a Thai national. Tourists and short-term visitors were blocked from opening accounts or accessing mobile banking.

27 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

Every year I always request 12 credit advices and statements for 12 months and the letter, because that’s what Chaeng Watthana requires. The change this year only has to do with the letter, which they say they won’t do without a balance of 400K, which they will also freeze. Unbelievable. Has nothing to do with immigration. I

Only BBL “new policy.”

As @BrandonJT posted, try different branches.
Any branch of BBL can issue the required documentation for Immigration.

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

It's not about whether transfers are marked as FTT or you have to request credit advice receipts.

If for example you were on extensions based on marriage and transferred the 400K funds into your account 2 months prior to submitting your next application, then when requesting the standard letter for Immigration, unless that 400K had been in the account for 4 months prior, BBL will refuse to issue such letter unless you sign an affidavit agreeing to freeze that amount for 4 months after the letter is issued.

Yes it is.

If your monthly transfers are not marked as FTT at Bkk Bank or whatever your bank uses to denote the money came from outside Thailand, the IO will not accept it.

If you are using the deposit method, 400k for marriage and 800k for Retirement, then the FTT doesn't apply.