Hi,

I've read about some of the issues foreigners have with their bank accounts and not sure what the best option is.

I have 2 Thai bank accounts (Kasikorn & BBL) that i opened a while ago on a Non-Imm B and have been on Tourist Visas and Visa Exempt entries since then. For my next trip to Thailand (will be in/out for around 7 months) I was hoping to obtain a Multiple Entry TV but recently received a new passport. Sounds like if i have to go into a bank for any reason, and I update my new passport info, there's a chance my accounts will be closed if I'm on a TV.

1. How common is it for banks to freeze or close an account if you currently have a TV?

2. Is it worth losing the convenience of a 6 month multiple entry TV in place of a 90 day Non-Imm O retirement to sort out the bank accounts or just attempt to not visit banks? Latter may be complicated by new facial recognition requirements that are being phased in.

Thanks for any advice

For a start, check on https://www.thaievisa.go.th if the multiple-entry tourist visa is available for your nationality.

45 minutes ago, Maestro said:

For a start, check on https://www.thaievisa.go.th if the multiple-entry tourist visa is available for your nationality.

Yes, it's an option

I don't think Kasikorn Bank would freeze or close your account, but with Bangkok Bank it's more likely. If you know that you'll have to visit a branch, it would be a good idea to get a Non-O visa instead of a tourist visa.

OP, for a 7 month stay a METV is an option.

A Non O would only provide a 90 day stay and only extension is a 12 month option.

Doubt bank would close the account when you update new pp # however it's possible.

Facial recognition is tied up with banking app.

I realize access to your Thai bank account would be useful however you could avoid that.

If you plan to do 7 month stays ongoing then suggest you look at other options.

Non O + ongoing extensions with reentry permit (if you are 50+) or even DTV

Have to say this is one of my fears and it would be seriously disruptive

Have had my SCB account must be now 30 odd years opened obviously in an era when walk in walk out accounts were open to anyone

I've never had anything but a SETV and VE entries down the decades

To get it closed would be a nightmare frankly

16 minutes ago, Chivas said:

I've never had anything but a SETV and VE entries down the decades

Doubt your bank account would be closed.

Also there is very few reasons to deal with a teller in branch apart for docs for immigration which you don't require.

How have you been able to just use setv + ve.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

How have you been able to just use setv + ve.

Never stayed over 77 days on any one single trip albeit have done over 170 in total

Certainly Pattaya friends I've known since the early days are over 200

Edited August 2Aug 2 by Chivas

The bottom line is, the bank has two requirements:
A current passport with more than 6 months remaining to be valid
Any official Thai Immigration Stamp that translates to "This person is in Thailand legally"

It is just that simple.

4 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

The bottom line is, the bank has two requirements:
A current passport with more than 6 months remaining to be valid
Any official Thai Immigration Stamp that translates to "This person is in Thailand legally"

It is just that simple.

It isn't always that simple as far as checking for type of visa.

18 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It isn't always that simple as far as checking for type of visa.

What I am trying to promote is the "Keep it simple stupid" method of getting what you want, especially in Thailand. The folly of foreigners in banks is they debate INTERNAL policy with junior clerks who have very little education, and more often than not, are interpreting a rumor about bank policy. Sit down with a manager, and narrow the conversation to Three Points: (1) Valid passport (2) Valid visa (3) Define "Whose money is in my account. Is it mine, or yours???

With a policy like that I'm sure you'll get on fine.

You'd be best off just keeping away from the banks, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

5 minutes ago, treetops said:

With a policy like that I'm sure you'll get on fine.

You'd be best off just keeping away from the banks, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

15 years in Thailand, 4 bank accounts ... and yes, I HAVE met with bank managers and resolved stupid bank generated problems.

Anyway, to each their own, "whatever" ... just trying to help from REAL LIFE exerience.

7 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

...(2) Valid visa...

For "Valid visa", read "Valid permission to stay"

I know that most everybody, including immigration officials, often use visa to mean permission to stay, but when dealing with a bank it may be important to use the correct term. There may be a bank employee, though, who really wants to see the printout of the eVisa in addition to the permission-to-stay stamp in the passport.

5 minutes ago, Maestro said:

For "Valid visa", read "Valid permission to stay"

I know that most everybody, including immigration officials, often use visa to mean permission to stay, but when dealing with a bank it may be important to use the correct term. There may be a bank employee, though, who really wants to see the printout of the eVisa in addition to the permission-to-stay stamp in the passport.

If you are interfacing with a bank employee sophisticated enough to differentiate between ""Valid visa", and "Valid permission to stay" ... congratulations, you are in front of the right person. And yes, the path of least resistance would be printout of the eVisa in addition to the permission-to-stay stamp in the passport. So sure, why not just do that? The fact is, I don't know enough about eVisa to comment on it, since I am on Year 15 / Non Immigrant O without any meaningful problems. OK, I regret entering this chat and will file it under "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" ... Have a great week! :-)

15 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

I am on Year 15 / Non Immigrant O without any meaningful problems.

Fact is you have Non immigrant status.

Years ago you could open Thai bank account with tourist status.

That is no longer the case.

You require Non Immigrant status to open bank account.

The OP is concerned that the bank accounts he opened while on Non B could be closed by bank due to new ongoing status as Tourist.

Will that happen. Doubt it however recent stunt by BBL suggests they will do what they want.

Those in similar situation to OP could simply avoid dealing with teller.

I only ever visit a bank branch once per year for docs for extension.

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Fact is you have Non immigrant status.

Years ago you could open Thai bank account with tourist status.

That is no longer the case.

You require Non Immigrant status to open bank account.

The OP is concerned that the bank accounts he opened while on Non B could be closed by bank due to new ongoing status as Tourist.

Will that happen. Doubt it however recent stunt by BBL suggests they will do what they want.

Those in similar situation to OP could simply avoid dealing with teller.

I only ever visit a bank branch once per year for docs for extension.

That is a very good explanation of the situation, and the differences between my experience and changes over time to immigration policy and rules. Have a great week! :-)

On 8/2/2026 at 7:05 AM, DrJack54 said:

Doubt your bank account would be closed.

Also there is very few reasons to deal with a teller in branch apart for docs

I made an error this last 12 months (to be fair I was in hospital 6 times in UK so wasn't on top of my game) and I inadvertently let the Thai sim associated with the SCB account "expire"

Entirely my fault

Obvious question is am I going to have to go in branch to update ?? Am thinking yes complete with passport ??

24 minutes ago, Chivas said:

I made an error this last 12 months (to be fair I was in hospital 6 times in UK so wasn't on top of my game) and I inadvertently let the Thai sim associated with the SCB account "expire"

Entirely my fault

Obvious question is am I going to have to go in branch to update ?? Am thinking yes complete with passport ??

Answering myself....No you have to in bank branch with passport etc

Just rang call centre

On 8/2/2026 at 12:03 AM, Jaymatheson said:

How common is it for banks to freeze or close an account if you currently have a TV?

I have a friend who regularly visits Thailand 5/6 times a year for 2/3 weeks each visit using VE entries.

Last visit he had reason to call into his local branch, who noted his Immigration status was tourist.

They didn't close his account, or freeze it, but did inform him that come October of 2026 when his current debit card expires, they will not replace it.

He will still be able to transfer funds into it, but for transfers, or cash withdrawals, will have to conduct these in branch, taking his ID and bank book.

He's considering applying for the Non O for each trip now >PITA.

1 hour ago, JustinTyme said:

And yes, the path of least resistance would be printout of the eVisa in addition to the permission-to-stay stamp in the passport. So sure, why not just do that?

And if you entered VE > no evisa, just a permit of stay stamp for 30/60 days.

Edited August 3Aug 3 by Liquorice

Troll post removed

@JustinTyme rule 10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

7 hours ago, Liquorice said:

And if you entered VE > no evisa, just a permit of stay stamp for 30/60 days.

Then it is extremely unlikely that any bank in Thailand will open an account for you at this time.

On 8/3/2026 at 10:40 AM, Liquorice said:

He will still be able to transfer funds into it, but for transfers, or cash withdrawals, will have to conduct these in branch, taking his ID and bank book.

Can you introduce him to Cardless ATM withdrawals?

11 minutes ago, treetops said:

Can you introduce him to Cardless ATM withdrawals?

You can't use the App either, the bank blocks it.

His mate is already in that predicament.