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Are bank accounts being opened at Bangkok Bank after the lockdown?
Bangkok BankVisaBank Account IssuesExpats in ThailandCOVID-19 RestrictionsThailand ImmigrationAccount Lock Issues
Aug 21, 2025
8 months ago
Eyal *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAre there people whose bank accounts were opened after the lockdown? On babgkok bank.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the experiences of various individuals with Bangkok Bank, particularly regarding account access and management during and after the lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some users report that their accounts were never frozen, while others faced difficulties after being abroad, especially related to documentation like leases and income verification. Concerns about account openings and the implications for expats with tourist and long-term visas are prominent, alongside anecdotes about the government restrictions during the pandemic in Thailand.
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Chris **********
My bank book filled up a couple months ago I went into a local branch not my main branch and got a new Passbook. They looked at the app on my phone signed documents and took my picture as well as looked at my passport. About 3 weeks ago I was locked out for 1 hour and when I checked again my account was open again no issues since. When I got the new passbook I think the service representative took care of everything for me so I would not get locked out. This was not done at my home branch but at a satellite branch in the mall close to my home. It was Bangkok Bank. Thankful for that service representative who helped me out to avoid any big issues such as what is happening now.
Pete **********
@Chris *********
🙏 all goes well. Id try and get a second account somewhere so you have an easier back up plan.Chris **********
@Pete *********
already done Pete thanksReply to
Chris **********
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Lynnette *******
Got mine last year. Bank book account, no card as I don't need it.
Robert *********
I spent 3 hours at a branch today, teller didn’t like copy of lease that has been verbally agreed on to continue since 2023, wants landlord to issue a current lease, landlord is in England. Asked why the bank needed that information was told just for their records. Told them immigration has no problem with the outdated lease and showed them my 90 day check in reports. Nope, want a current lease. Asked if I could close my account today and cash out. Nope, come back with the current lease and account will be unlocked in approximately 7 business days. Asked if I will be notified when account was unlocked, teller didn’t know but suggested I start checking after 7 days. I’ve never had any problems with BB but there’s no fiduciary trust at this point. When my account is unlocked I’m closing it out in person. Already have a new account with Krungsri and transferred funds by WU 30 minutes ago.
Paul ********
@Robert ********
Wow. That's just crazy.Reply to
Paul ********
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Nigel **************
Yes
Stefano ****
I have a bank account in Thailand but I only come 3 months a year should I expect a block?
Pete **********
@Stefano ***
I wouldn't say expect it because they do a little at a time. But its quite possible. I have no idea what the implications are for people not in thailand when this happens or like some never got an alert. They must have notifications turned off. But there was zero warning so people could retrieve funds . So remember that. Im thankful only 5k baht in there. But there's people with millions or at least their monthly expenses ⚠️
Steve ***************
@Pete *********
I am currently vacationing at my European summer home in France. I have a Non O based on retirement with the 800k baht in one Bangkok Bank account and living expense funds in another. I am having to fly back early at my own expense as the accounts were frozen three days ago. If I don't sort this out, my monthly Thai bills registered to the account will go unpaid. Little things like condo rental...Pete **********
@Steve **************
yes definitely a hassle for many. Sorry to hear. Hope it all works out 🙏Steve ***************
@Pete *********
thanks.Reply to
Steve ***************
Reply
Pete **********
@Stefano ***
what kind of visa ?Stefano ****
@Pete *********
I come to Thai for tourism 60 days passport stamp then I extend more 30 days it's 15 years that I have the Kasikorn bank accountPete **********
@Stefano ***
I can only speak on Bangkok bank frozen accounts. I have heard others talking about switching to others nowStefano ****
@Pete *********
Thank youPete **********
@Stefano ***
youre on a tourist visa but not with Bangkok bank. I'd definitely go see them and make sure everything is updated. Phone number address etc. I am going to be more diligent with getting my passbook stamped etc. For all future banking hereReply to
Pete **********
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Stefano ****
@Pete *********
60or 90 daysReply to
Stefano ****
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Max *************
@Stefano ***
It's basically about relatively new accounts. Activity might matter.Stefano ****
thanks
Stefano ****
@Max ************
grazieMax *************
@Stefano ***
You're welcome. 👍Reply to
Max *************
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Roberto *********
There never was a "lockdown" in Thailand. There were restrictions and alcohol bans, but people were free to go out every day for as long as they wanted
Karl ******
@Roberto ********
not trueRoberto *********
@Karl *****
For me it's totally true. I was never locked down. Maybe you chose that way, I didn'tKarl ******
@Roberto ********
didn't choose mate, Curfew and no bars open, had to sign in everywhere, to me that's a lockdown. But you must be special and a rebel, good for you. It was good times though and I enjoyed the tranquility. Where you here during the covid with travel bans.Roberto *********
@Karl *****
Nope. Travelled extensively. Just had to register journey on an app, give a good reason (visiting sick relative 😆), stopped at province checkpoints, they checked the app, took a photo of the car, and waved us through. Too easy. Some bars were open in lower Sukhumvit, others serving alcohol in milkshake containers! Good times! In Rayong the beach bars served the beer in bottles no problem. Even flew to a couple of places, just had to show vax certificate and they checked temperature before boarding and in the destination airport on arrival! Loved the tranquility. We stayed at a hotel at Chao Lao beach, there were only four rooms booked out of about 80! Restaurant on the beach we were the only customers, so we had eight waiters looking after us! Car hire was dirt cheap, hotels cheap. Rented a room for two nights on the Chao Phraya opposite Wat Arun for 600 baht a night - now they're back to 3600 a night! Good times! I'm probably one of the few who enjoyed covid, but I certainly was not locked down or locked in anywhere!Karl ******
@Roberto ********
I enjoyed covid and it was a lockdown in general but I did as I pleased. Not sure you where here at the start as most places and restaurants where closed but I am in Hua Hin so could be totally different.Roberto *********
@Karl *****
I was here for the whole shebang. Living in Bangkok but travelled extensively during that time. Bangkok was easy. Bars were paying off the police and operating behind closed blinds. Cowboy and Nana were closed of course, but a few choices in 8 and 11. Had four days in Cha-am. It was good. Brought our own booze and stayed in a unit with large balcony opposite the beach. Beach was deserted. Great times! Great beach restaurant at the north end of Cha-am beach where the owner was happy to serve beer and wine!Reply to
Roberto *********
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Peter *******
@Roberto ********
it seems you can't remember the road closures and Sukhumvit temperature checksRoberto *********
@Peter ******
I don't remember any road closures. I know I had to register on an app of any travel I was doing, and I did travel extensively during covid as car rentals and hotels were so cheap, and temperature checks weren't just in Sukhumvit Road, they were everywhere. But perhaps you can explain how that relates to "lockdown". I always thought "lockdown" was unable to move anywhere.Peter *******
@Roberto ********
No, lockdown includes restricting movementRoberto *********
@Peter ******
Probably your interpretation. I never saw it that way as I was never restricted in my movement. Sure, everything was closed, so there was nowhere to go (unless you knew where to go 😆), but I never felt I was ever locked down. I travelled freely around the country, driving to Kanchanaburi, Ko Chang, Chantaburi, Phetchabun, Ayutthaya on frequent occasions without any restriction. Anyway, to each their own! 👍Reply to
Roberto *********
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Brandon ************
@Roberto ********
Not quite. July 2021 there was a 9PM-4AM curfew and anyone out could be fined by police. I remember friends rushing to get home, or having to pay taxis triple the normal amount after 9PM.Trevor *****
Roberto *********
@Brandon ***********
I was in Rayong for that "curfew". The head honcho in Rayong was pissed off with Prayut's stupid restrictions, so it didn't apply down there. He even kept U-Tapao Airport open. It was a great time! I was actually referring to general lockdown. Many countries around the world restricted people to staying indoors during the day!! Thailand was fantastic during covid! There were a dozen bars operating in 8 and 11 in Bangkok during the alcohol bans. They were great timesReply to
Roberto *********
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Ian *********
???
Pete **********
I was there today. I pulled a ticket at 8:48 there was already 50 in the que . Left went shopping at big C ate an early lunch came back and was still only 8 spots opened. I sat their until after 330pm. They took copies of passport, passbook, home banking info. If you have a tourist account you'll need to close your account at the main branch where you got it. Uodate your passbook every month. I failed to do. Order your yearly statements if you haven't updated. Just in case you need to verify the income and source.
It will take a week to process and to be able to retrieve your balance. I'm on on a ltr visa, so they took copies of passport, every page, lease agreement, blue book, drivers license if you have one in thailand. They will ask your funding source , bank name at home, who transfers the funds, how much you bring into Thailand, what you spend most of it on. They basically tell you, you'll find out in a week because your account will work again. 😆
It will take a week to process and to be able to retrieve your balance. I'm on on a ltr visa, so they took copies of passport, every page, lease agreement, blue book, drivers license if you have one in thailand. They will ask your funding source , bank name at home, who transfers the funds, how much you bring into Thailand, what you spend most of it on. They basically tell you, you'll find out in a week because your account will work again. 😆
Marty *********
@Pete *********
Interesting . . . I opened my BB with an LTR visa. You have an LTR but did you open the account while you had the LTR?Pete **********
@Marty ********
opened mine with my Non-OMarty *********
FYI - I opened my BB account in October last year while I had my LTR. I haven't had any issues with BB . . . yet.
Pete **********
@Marty ********
not everyone has gotten hit but also they are not hitting everyone at once.Marty *********
@Pete *********
I can hardly wait to. I’m living in Bangkok but my BB branch is in Sisaket.Pete **********
@Marty ********
make a little getaway out of it i guess. It takes approximately a week to clear it up and it becomes active again but I'm opening another bank account. This won't happen again. Remember 2 is 1 and 1 is none . 😆Reply to
Pete **********
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Dca *****
@Pete *********
Did you contact the LTR Visa Office to perhaps get a Certification/Confirmation Letter of sorts issued by the LTR Visa Office to bring with you to the bank? >
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Pete **********
@Dca ****
didn't know that there was such a thing. It was not mentioned to me by the bank...I have a 1 year visa. They saw and photo copied it. Probably also because I already have an account. Not trying to open a new one.Reply to
Pete **********
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Wendy ********
@Pete *********
when you say " update your passbook each month" can you explain please? Thank youPete **********
@Wendy *******
take your bank book to bank branch you use each month and physically have the transactions printed into your book. That is the official record of the money you've brought in and what you've spent and your balance. Id also print out a monthly bank statement. When ya need it you'll be happy you have it.Reply to
Pete **********
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Chris ************
@Pete *********
great post. Thanks Pete.Pete **********
@Chris ***********
youre welcome. I would suggest bring a bottle of water some charged up ear buds a charged battery and enjoy a podcast or some zen music. Be patient and be understanding. Some guys look like they put on dirty laundry. Take a shower, dress up like going on a business appointment and smile at the ladies working in bank. They are busting their asses. It's not their policy its their bosses. Remember youre a foreigner.Not directed at you. Just in general. Overall people were calm but some were a little rude and disturbing people with their behavior
Reply to
Pete **********
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Chris ************
@Pete *********
thanks for this. They have all the info already. They can't look? What do you spend money on. Rent, mangos...Jesper *******
@Chris ***********
why waste time going through all the transactions of hundreds of thousands of foreign accts just blocked them and u will see acct holders rushing to the bank branchesPete **********
@Jesper ******
pretty much what they did mateJesper *******
@Pete *********
it seems they are filtering out genuine long term visa holders and tourist acct holders... .bkk bank is the only bank that allows tourist to open bank acct(used to be).....it's not only farangs....it affects ppl from neighboring countrys as wellReply to
Jesper *******
Reply
Pete **********
@Chris ***********
I wish I knew. Not everyone got asked all those questions. Some did some did not. they questioned some more extensively some were up and gone in 15 minutes. Others sat with worker for a hour sometimesReply to
Pete **********
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Eyal *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pete *********
how you know if people with tourist account they will close the account?Pete **********
@Eyal ******
because i was there today and saw people on tourist visas having to close their accounts.Jan **********
@Pete *********
it’s most likely for people who opened under a tourist visa or with an agentReply to
Jan **********
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Bernard ************
@Eyal ******
je suppose qu'un peu à la fois Ils vont les bloquerReply to
Bernard ************
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Paul *******
I have had two Bangkok Bank accounts for over ten years. Neither account was ever stopped or suspended.
Darryle *******
@Paul ******
same here 10 years never a problemJohn **********
@Paul ******
it seems to me that it's accounts opened in the last few (maybe 5) years that have issues.Tom ********
@John *********
They are checking all accounts to see if they have been opened legally or not, just because they haven't got to 'you' yet doesn't mean they won't.Tony **********
@John *********
i opened my account in aug-2024 on non-o visa. I changed my phone (same Thai number) 2 weeks ago and have had zero issues.Marty *********
@John *********
I opened my BB account last October. No problems with my account. I had a yellow book and an LTR visa among my documents.Reply to
Marty *********
Reply
Max *************
@Paul ******
Same here. No problems whatsoever.Euan ********
@Max ************
that's at least the 6th time you mentioned it.Why not start a post so everyone can congratulate you?
Max *************
@Euan *******
I have never before answered a question about banking after the pandemic. And maybe idiots like you should by now understand that there are no problems with older accounts. You and other newbies are still yapping about frozen accounts when you don't have a clue about the reason.Reply to
Max *************
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Pete **********
@Paul ******
they aren't hitting everyone. But they just froze 40k accounts on the 19th. Just submitted all my paperwork today. All day in the bank.Reply to
Pete **********
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