Bangkok Bank have said they will issue me with a credit card (I've banked with them for 20+ years and hold a work permit) but have told me it requires my account to be "frozen". What does this mean? Is it just that I must keep a minimum balance in the account at all times? Does the 'credit' card just become a 'debit' card, which I have already?

Confusing.

If a real CC, then it is what it is, they just taking precautions they don't get stiffed, and will probably extend credit to amount deposited, or % over that.

Reality, no different than a debit card, but a CC, when a vendor, like car rentals & such, won't accept a debit card. If VISA, then comes with bonuses of VISA provisions, if any.

My USA VISA comes with no ATM fees, ever, anywhere, along with travel insurance, if using to book travel. So CC does have it's advantages, depending which financial institution is issuing them. Thai institutions, well, good luck with that one, but if needing a Thai CC, then that may be your only option.

Not just expats, as Thais run into the same issue, as wife had problem finding bank to issure CC without frozen account, since not working. We needed one originally for EV charging station apps, though not so much any more, as policies and payment options change, expanded to multiple pay options.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by KhunLA

I previously had Citibank cc with a 50,000 baht limit. Had held work permit for about 10 years, applied online and a girl came to my home..this was 10-12 years ago. You may wanna check them out

10 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I previously had Citibank cc with a 50,000 baht limit. Had held work permit for about 10 years, applied online and a girl came to my home..this was 10-12 years ago. You may wanna check them out

Sounds interesting! Why did a girl come to your home? I figured as a BB account holder, it would be easiest with them, but don't understand the "frozen" bit. If I can't get anywhere with them, I will try others. But is Citibank a Thai bank?

10 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I previously had Citibank cc with a 50,000 baht limit. Had held work permit for about 10 years, applied online and a girl came to my home..this was 10-12 years ago. You may wanna check them out

Citibank left the Thai market in April of 2024. UOB has taken over all their CC clients. I am with them now. At first the change over seemed a bit strange, but two years banking with them now and they are fine, actually have been quite good to me.

19 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Sounds interesting! Why did a girl come to your home? I figured as a BB account holder, it would be easiest with them, but don't understand the "frozen" bit. If I can't get anywhere with them, I will try others. But is Citibank a Thai bank?

My choice, either home or workplace, I think it meant a trip to BKK otherwise. According to the next post they are trading under UOB now

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Bangkok Bank have said they will issue me with a credit card (I've banked with them for 20+ years and hold a work permit) but have told me it requires my account to be "frozen". What does this mean? Is it just that I must keep a minimum balance in the account at all times? Does the 'credit' card just become a 'debit' card, which I have already?

Confusing.

Try a different Branch.

When I started my current job 7 yrs ago they banked with BKK Bank so I opened an acccount, within 12 month they offered me an unsecured credit card.

Maybe thing have changed since then though.

Back in 2005 K bank offered me an unsecured card 3 months after I started work.

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Bangkok Bank have said they will issue me with a credit card (I've banked with them for 20+ years and hold a work permit) but have told me it requires my account to be "frozen". What does this mean? Is it just that I must keep a minimum balance in the account at all times? Does the 'credit' card just become a 'debit' card, which I have already?

Confusing.

It's called a "secured credit card".

To the outside world, it looks and feels like a regular credit card (not a debit card), for example, with regards to liability, pre-authorization of transactions, billing and usage limitations (some car rental companies in particular don't accept debit cards, only credit cards).

But between you and your bank, any credit that the card gives you is secured by collateral, usually in the form of a frozen amount that is then unavailable from your balance while you have the card (or a separate fixed deposit account for this specific purpose).

Edited July 22Jul 22 by Caldera

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

It's called a "secured credit card".

To the outside world, it looks and feels like a regular credit card (not a debit card), for example, with regards to liability, pre-authorization of transactions, billing and usage limitations (some car rental companies in particular don't accept debit cards, only credit cards).

But between you and your bank, any credit that the card gives you is secured by collateral, usually in the form of a frozen amount that is then unavailable from your balance while you have the card (or a separate fixed deposit account for this specific purpose).

Thanks, that's clear. So I could stick 500,000 baht in a separate fixed deposit account and get a credit card based on this? Would I still pay off the balance monthly?

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Would I still pay off the balance monthly?

Of course, it is a "credit card" and you will be charged interest.

SCB told me I would need to hold on deposit twice the amount of the limit of the credit card - needless to say I declined. 🤣

I have had a credit card with Krungsri for about 15 years. Yes they require an amount to be held (frozen) above the CC limit. In my case 100,000 is held to cover a 90,000 credit limit.

Never been charged interest as have always paid the outstanding amount before the time limit, usually about 3 weeks from statement date.

9 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Try a different Branch.

When I started my current job 7 yrs ago they banked with BKK Bank so I opened an acccount, within 12 month they offered me an unsecured credit card.

Maybe thing have changed since then though.

Back in 2005 K bank offered me an unsecured card 3 months after I started work.

No need to try a different branch. The point is if you do not work here with a work permit you will not get an unsecured credit card.

I thought about this at one time.

In 2026, with the way expats are treated at Thai banks today, my mission and goal is to reduce my banking connections in Thailand to the bare minimum (Non O visa requirements plus a few 100,000 baht over just to be sure). I'll still hold onto 2 accounts, but WAY LESS funds in those accounts than previously held.

I'm the Cash Man.

9 hours ago, Ricohoc said:

I'm the Cash Man.

Good for you, I am the complete opposite.

Just signed up for TrueMoney, after a few days checking me out I have the advanced account. I will be MR Bluetap from now on......

10 hours ago, msbkk said:

No need to try a different branch. The point is if you do not work here with a work permit you will not get an unsecured credit card.

As I wrote in the opening post, I have worked here since 2005, and continue to do so, with a work permit.

17 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Thanks, that's clear. So I could stick 500,000 baht in a separate fixed deposit account and get a credit card based on this? Would I still pay off the balance monthly?

Yes, you have to maintain the secured amount balance (in your example 500,000 baht) or face high interest rate charges on the difference. If you have a work permit there are other credit cards you can apply for which don't need a secured fixed deposit, but depends on each case.

21 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Does the 'credit' card just become a 'debit' card, which I have already?

They are not the same. The credit card such as the secured credit card you describe is always using the banks money to make your payments which you can repay at your own schedule based on the banks repayment rules. A debit card uses your money only, so when its gone its gone. Fraud cases can be more difficult to get the money back with debit cards.

When I tried and failed 15 years ago K'bank' tried to sell me all manor of insurance policies first most notably health insurance for my Thai son! to get what amounted to a pay as you go card that you can easily get from your home country 🤔

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

As I wrote in the opening post, I have worked here since 2005, and continue to do so, with a work permit.

Yes, you are right. I only mentioned that for the other readers who probably do not work. I myself have secured credit cards.

3 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

Yes, you have to maintain the secured amount balance (in your example 500,000 baht) or face high interest rate charges on the difference. If you have a work permit there are other credit cards you can apply for which don't need a secured fixed deposit, but depends on each case.

3 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

or face high interest rate charges on the difference.

can you explain your post...doesn't make sense to me...

5 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

can you explain your post...doesn't make sense to me...

There are many different credit cards plans, but one common feature that they all have is when you use the credit card you are borrowing money from the bank (even cards using secure deposit collateral that you deposited) and each day you don't pay the money back you are charged interest.

2 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

and each day you don't pay the money back you are charged interest.

I think most people think of credit cards as having a billing cycle and as long as they pay back the full amount by the payment due date (varies but could be 20 plus days after the statement date) then they incur no interest charge. If they only pay back the minimum or part of the total then yes they incur interest on the outstanding amount.

So you could argue that your statement is correct but in practice you may never actually pay any of that interest

If you have a different kind of card then my condolences........

I have an unsecured credit card from SCB/CardX. Might want to give them a try. You'll probably have to open a bank account with them.

It's very simple really. You can obtain a credit card from a Thai bank which the bank secures with a "frozen" deposit of whatever amount you request the credit card limit to be. I have had a Visa credit card from Bangkok Bank for many years now which was issued on this basis.

On 7/22/2026 at 10:29 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

Bangkok Bank have said they will issue me with a credit card (I've banked with them for 20+ years and hold a work permit) but have told me it requires my account to be "frozen". What does this mean? Is it just that I must keep a minimum balance in the account at all times? Does the 'credit' card just become a 'debit' card, which I have already?

Confusing.

I think they’ve given you the card on a secured amount.

If they issue as an example, a card with a spending limit of 100k baht, they will freeze that amount from one of your accounts. I had applied for one but didn’t fancy my money blocked from access

On 7/22/2026 at 9:41 PM, msbkk said:

No need to try a different branch. The point is if you do not work here with a work permit you will not get an unsecured credit card.

The OP states he has a work permit.

I recently asked KBank about getting a Credit Card and this was their reply. I have a savings accounts with them.

According to your enquiry regarding to apply K-Credit Card, we would like to inform you that normally, the foreigner must work in Thailand more than 6 months with minimum monthly income of 50,000 Baht and you are 20 – 80 years of age. And you can send the required documents at any Kasikornbank branches in Thailand.

Note: For One Siam Signature and THE PASSION Card, the monthly income must be 70,000 Baht.

Required documents:

1. Valid passport
2. Valid visa
3. Valid work permit
4. An original salary slip or an original of a letter certifying monthly salary issued by employer not longer than 3 months
5. A statement account in salary in 6 months
**Note: All copy documents must be signed your signature.

If the applicant using an original of a letter certifying monthly salary and get salary in cash, please attach their latest Non - Resident Withholding Tax Certificate (or at least 6 months)

If the applicant using an original of a letter certifying monthly salary and their salary transfer to your account, please attach their latest Non - Resident Withholding Tax Certificate (or at least 6 months) or 6 months Kasikornbank account statement that showed their salary deposit.

For the business owner (have been run in business for at least 1 year):

In the case you are not registering or registering for individual
- Valid passport
- A statement account in 6 months

In the case you are registering for juristic person
- Valid passport
- A statement account in 6 months
Note: You can submit as the personal account or company account.

In the case you are registering for Ordinary Partnership/Group of person
- Valid passport
- Application request for the registration/Juristic Ordinary Partnership
- Copy of organization registration certificate or registering the establishment
Note: the copy must be signed to certify as true copy.
- A statement account in 6 months
Note: You can submit as the personal account or company account.

Kasikornbank will consider the application and inform you of the result within 15 days after the bank receives completed documents, if the consideration is approved, you will receive the card within 3-7 working days.

In addition, Kasikornbank has offer other option to apply the service which the applicant must be opened fixed account with us and will not be able to withdraw cash throughout the life of card which the credit limit depend on type of card, the minimum is 50,000 Baht.

Or Applicants with Savings who has balance at least 2,000,000 Baht in a fixed or savings account of any Thai banks for 12 months and over, will be able to apply credit card.

Required documents:

For fixed account
- Passbook
- Valid passport

For Applicants with Savings
- Bank Statement of fix/saving account of the bank at least 6 months
- Valid passport

**Note: All copy documents must be signed your signature.

Remark: this process is depended on the consideration of the branch, you can contact any local Kasikornbank branches for getting the advice from them.

In the case of applying for a credit card using a deposit account as collateral, the registration period for the pledge of rights contract is 4 days, combined with the credit card approval period of 15 calendar days.

 

On 7/23/2026 at 12:41 AM, msbkk said:

The point is if you do not work here with a work permit you will not get an unsecured credit card.

Not true, over the decades I've had several unsecured credit cards with kasikorn bank, not working here at the time

Platinum card, spouse card etc and now a Wisdom card.

Edited July 24Jul 24 by SAFETY FIRST

On 7/22/2026 at 10:48 AM, baansgr said:

I previously had Citibank cc with a 50,000 baht limit. Had held work permit for about 10 years, applied online and a girl came to my home..this was 10-12 years ago. You may wanna check them out

CitiBank sold its entire Thai consumer banking business to UOB (United Overseas Bank.

Contact UOB.