Hi

Does anyone know if it's possible to move the 800k from a standard savings account to a higher interest account within Bangkok Bank, and for it to show in the savings book for immigration.

Thanks for any information.

Cheers

Gee

If you open a Fixed Deposit account at Bangkok Bank you get a separate account and a separate orange bankbook.

From my experience, their Fixed Deposit accounts are somewhat inconvenient. For example, you can transfer funds into the account online, but if you want to make a withdrawal or transfer funds out of the account, you have to visit the bank. And not just any branch of Bangkok Bank, but the branch where you opened the account.

Usually immigration wants to see a bankbook balance updated on the day you come to apply for an extension of stay. That could be very inconvenient to do with a Fixed Deposit account.

Paul Laew

I would seriously look at using a different bank.

As for higher interest I believe that immigration requires that the funds are immediately available and as mentioned above a bankbook with updated balance.

Mow Laew 😋

OP you need to be careful when you shift funds into another account..

Also for next extension you would need bank statement and Bank Letter for each account.

BTW: if you opt to close an account keep the cancelled bank book.

Immigration will want it

22 minutes ago, Paulaew said:

From my experience, their Fixed Deposit accounts are somewhat inconvenient. For example, you can transfer funds into the account online, but if you want to make a withdrawal or transfer funds out of the account, you have to visit the bank. And not just any branch of Bangkok Bank, but the branch where you opened the account.

From the point of securing your retirement visa money that is surely a good thing!

It means that neither you, by accident, nor a criminal, can access that account without appearing in the bank in person!

Most people just lock that 800,000Baht away year on year and get their statement (and interest) around renewal time!

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Most people just lock that 800,000Baht away year on year and get their statement (and interest) around renewal time!

True.

Most folk do maintain 800k all year round for reasons you outlined.

Referred to as "dedicated immigration account" by some.

In addition open a savings a/c for everyday use obviously with a ATM card.

41 minutes ago, johng said:

As for higher interest I believe that immigration requires that the funds are immediately available and as mentioned above a bankbook with updated balance.

Mow Laew 😋

The BKK "Fixed deposit" account IS an instant access account.

If you do access it and withdraw money before the term ends you lose the interest.

It therefore fully meets the retirement extension criteria, but at a small price given the Thai interest rates.

The upside of a "Fixed Deposit" account is that YOU must make a visit to the bank to muck it up!

It is TOTAL peace of mind if left alone!

PS; CM Immigration require an annual statement and the passbook updated but no recent transaction is required.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by scottiejohn

1 hour ago, Gee Bangkok said:

Hi

Does anyone know if it's possible to move the 800k from a standard savings account to a higher interest account within Bangkok Bank, and for it to show in the savings book for immigration.

Thanks for any information.

Cheers

Gee

Yes! You can but I suggest you do it in two steps.

After three months from your last extension and before 2 months of your next extension make two transfers of 400,000Baht. Make the second one AFTER you see the first transfer is in the new account.

This way you will not drop out of the 800,000/4000,000 rules.

PS Get a closing/annual statement from the first bank and keep all records/statements of both accounts until the new extension is approved.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by scottiejohn

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Yes! You can but I suggest you do it in two steps.

OP, read carefully this post above from @scottiejohn

It's the bullet proof way to do what you plan.

2 hours ago, Gee Bangkok said:

Hi

Does anyone know if it's possible to move the 800k from a standard savings account to a higher interest account within Bangkok Bank, and for it to show in the savings book for immigration.

Thanks for any information.

Cheers

Gee

I can't help with this, but I am doing my best to get the hell away from Bangkok Bank. I've already reduced my banking footprint with them to about 500,000 baht and kept all that was withdrawn in cash.

13 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

I can't help with this, but I am doing my best to get the hell away from Bangkok Bank.

Correct advice has already been posted. Not difficult.

On 8/4/2026 at 4:36 PM, Paulaew said:

And not just any branch of Bangkok Bank, but the branch where you opened the account.

Not really, withdraws must be done in the same province that your original account branch located if you need to close the account it has to be done at the original branch.

Open a new account in other banks and then you must deposit the fund in the new account in “same day” that you withdraw from old account (keep the old account bank book for imm. )

Edited August 6Aug 6 by OneManShow

On 8/4/2026 at 11:21 AM, Gee Bangkok said:

Hi

Does anyone know if it's possible to move the 800k from a standard savings account to a higher interest account within Bangkok Bank, and for it to show in the savings book for immigration.

Thanks for any information.

Cheers

Gee

Should be, but do the transaction same day, so you don't lack your exytension-of-stay-deposit for one day or more. I use BBL (Bangkok Bank) for my deposit and have used a 12-months fixed deposit for several years. I cash out the interest yearly, so I always have a clean 800k baht balance. It's much easier to use a separate account than having the 800k mixed with other transactions. BBL only allow one account of each type for foreigners.

Personally, and some might disagree, but I wouldn't bother with Bangkok Bank anymore as they intentionally seem like they aren't interested in foreigners holding accounts with them unless they meet a strict list of petty criteria.

Also, the unpredictability and sudden changes in their policies would make me uneasy if holding significant amounts of money with them... account freezes seem to happen far too often for the slightest infraction or policy change on a whim.

For me, I find SCB pretty much okay on everything but people also say Kasikorn is good too, but I don't hold an account there, so am unsure about them.

1 minute ago, Sir Dude said:

Personally, and some might disagree, but I wouldn't bother with Bangkok Bank anymore as they intentionally seem like they aren't interested in foreigners holding accounts with them unless they meet a strict list of petty criteria.

Also, the unpredictability and sudden changes in their policies would make me uneasy if holding significant amounts of money with them... account freezes seem to happen far too often for the slightest infraction or policy change on a whim.

For me, I find SCB pretty much okay on everything but people also say Kasikorn is good too, but I don't hold an account there, so am unsure about them.

100%.....I think they don't want the hassle and are making things intentionally difficult.

On 8/4/2026 at 4:21 PM, Gee Bangkok said:

Hi

Does anyone know if it's possible to move the 800k from a standard savings account to a higher interest account within Bangkok Bank, and for it to show in the savings book for immigration.

Thanks for any information.

Cheers

Gee

Yes.

Open a new FTD account, then 'transfer', as opposed to withdrawing then depositing, the funds from your Savings account to the FTD account.

That way regardless of it being the same branch, another branch, or another bank, the funds have continually remained in a Thai bank account.

Update and provide both bank books to evidence the transfer.

On 8/4/2026 at 5:27 PM, scottiejohn said:

The BKK "Fixed deposit" account IS an instant access account.

If you do access it and withdraw money before the term ends you lose the interest.

It therefore fully meets the retirement extension criteria, but at a small price given the Thai interest rates.

The upside of a "Fixed Deposit" account is that YOU must make a visit to the bank to muck it up!

It is TOTAL peace of mind if left alone!

PS; CM Immigration require an annual statement and the passbook updated but no recent transaction is required.

Bangkok Bank can do a 'forced update' in your fixed account book when they prepare your letter, with no transaction required.

Also possible to update the book at any automated machine outside any BBK location, if you trust the machine not to malfunction an hour before your immigration appointment.

I have a question: Plenty of Non Immigrant O Expats have well made plans that make the transfer of the 800,000 or 400,000 very fast and within hours of their death. Many are in long term, high trust relationships that would ... (hypothetically speaking of course) ... allow for, very quickly ... the transfer of funds. The burden of proof then falls on banks, governments, etc to prove it was not a "deathbed transfer." (This is the part where I beg the TV Lecture Squad to spare us all the defamatory and cynical rants about Thai Girlfriends / etc) OK. So my question is ... if you drop dead after opening this "in person only" account ... who gets that money? Let me help you with that ... THE BANK.

17 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

So my question is ... if you drop dead after opening this "in person only" account ... who gets that money? Let me help you with that ... THE BANK.

You are trying to avoid correct procedure when someone passes.

My Thai partner has my pass code to my ATM.

She could access my account (with card) upon death.

The problem is that's illegal.

For those using funds in bank (800k) the best advice is to have a Thai WILL.

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You are trying to avoid correct procedure when someone passes.

My Thai partner has my pass code to my ATM.

She could access my account (with card) upon death.

The problem is that's illegal.

For those using funds in bank (800k) the best advice is to have a Thai WILL.

Ok Doc ... you win ... signing off. Have a great weekend.

On 8/4/2026 at 4:21 PM, Gee Bangkok said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to move the 800k from a standard savings account to a higher interest account within Bangkok Bank, and for it to show in the savings book for immigration.

About 5 years ago someone on AN posted about SCB offering 1.5% on their EZ savings account. At the time that rate was higher than the rate on BBK bank's 1-year fixed deposit account. I decided I would switch and use that SCB account for my 800/400K extension requirement. When my fixed term was on renewal it was also during the 7 months where only 400K was required. I moved 400K from my BBK account to the SCB EZ account and then a few days later I moved the remaining 400K. Doing it this way there would be no days that I could not show the required 400K balance. As @DrJack54 says, keep your old fixed account book(s) and get statements and letters as required before abandoning BBK bank.

At extension time I had to show letters and statements from both BBK and SCB banks.

The rate on the SCB EZ account has dropped to 1.25% but that is still higher than BBK's fixed deposit rates and they pay interest monthly now. You should open a normal SCB savings account at the same time and use that one for daily expenses. It is a trivial exercise to transfer between the two accounts at SCB. My SCB 'retirement' account has at most 3-4 activities a month... easier for Imm. to follow. The SCB EZ account also allows all the functionality and freedom to move funds as a normal savings account.

OP has received correct advice.

Posts since have been off topic.

Thread closed.

In the main @PJ71