Answereda year ago
Are bank accounts from Bangkok Bank being rejected for Retirement Visa applications in Hua Hin?
Just heard a rumour that Hua Hin Immigration Services are not accepting bank accounts for Retirement Visa 800,000 baht from Bangkok Bank because they are under investigation. Any truth to this?
Answer summary
Concerns have emerged regarding the acceptability of bank accounts from Bangkok Bank for Retirement Visas (800,000 baht) due to rumors of an investigation. Some comments suggest that Bangkok Bank is subject to stricter regulations, including a longer hold period for funds compared to other banks. Others indicate that recent scandals involving the bank may have heightened scrutiny on accounts held by foreigners. While some assert that these rumors are exaggerated, the conversation highlights general anxiety among expats about how bank policies and immigration regulations are changing in Thailand.
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Ant ***********
Visa agents that in the past have used “ funds “ to assist with getting Retirement Visa through Bangkok Bank , can no longer do this ( if they have a / use BKK bank account )
Brandon ************
@Ant **********
they can and still are. They're just using bank branches outside of Pattaya where the spotlight was shining. Many agents are now putting their customers on a bus to Bangkok to go to branches there. The only thing the new rules are doing is making it more difficult for people doing it themselves.
Rok ********
@Brandon ***********
i just extended myself for another year without any extraordinary beraucratic drama; BB bank statements / balances for last 12 months … 1900 extension and 3800 multiple entry stamp
Paul ********
@Rok *******
Nobody is suggesting there are issues for expats who do not require agent assistance to meet the financial requirements, and who have the type of long-term visa required by banks to keep their accounts open.Brandon ************
@Rok *******
still easy to do yourself, especially if you just leave the money in your account all year.Ant ***********
@Brandon ***********
100% correctPaul ********
@Ant **********
The million baht question for 10s of thousands of expats who use "funds" arranged with the assistance of a visa agent: is this a bump in the road with Bangkok Bank getting their hands slapped, while other banks just pick up where they left off? Or is this a seismic shift, with the decades-old visa agent system about to vanish or be severely curtailed?Regardless of whether we approve or disapprove of the agent system, its demise would have thousands of expats heading for the exits or canceling plans to return to Thailand. Taking their money with them. All at a time when many other factors are lining up to potentially create a perfect storm of economic hardship for Thailand.
So what do you guys think? Mere bump in the road, soon to return to business as usual? Or signal of the beginning of the end of the agent-facilitated retirement visa funding that has existed for decades in Thailand?
Brandon ************
@Paul *******
nothing will change. It will all be out of the news in a few months and back to business as usual. The only thing that will remain is banks doing more due diligence for new accounts because of the law change that holds them financially liable for fraud and scam losses.Ant ***********
@Paul *******
Good points there …..Will it just make new / more procedures “ underground “
For those offering Retirement Visa services ….
Paul ********
@Ant **********
Time will tell, I guess!Max *************
@Ant **********
This is positive.
Pete **********
The story goes something like this :- A branch of BKK in Pattaya was found to have opened something like 30 accounts for a single visa agent who was using the accounts for foreigners wanting various visas. Immigration were not very happy when they found out and an investigation was launched which is presumably why all existing accounts held by foreigners are now being scrutinized. And again if foreigners had not tried to abuse the system then there would not have been all the present problems.
Richard ********
@Pete *********
Drivel.In addition to the increased restrictions on opening bank accounts now used by all banks for six months or more, the Bangkok bank in a Pattaya branch was involved in a scam with a group of 15 Chinese call center scammers involving hundreds of accounts, 2 billion baht laundering and scamming 2,000 victims.
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4?utm_source=chatgpt.comNothing to do with immigration and visas.
This case shook BBL, and it is now trying to reestablish itself with employees being extra careful.
Max *************
@Pete *********
It's not about "all existing accounts held by foreigners". That's nonsense.Pete **********
@Max ************
that’s the punishment for BKK because they allowed the account opening abuse to go on. If the foreigners abide by the correct regulations and don’t ask agents to falsify documents etc this would not have happened.Max *************
@Pete *********
I think you have misunderstood how agents are working. The only thing that's actually is not allowed when it comes to bank regulations is short term loans,those 800k in foreign accounts.The rest is not about falsifying anything, agents are paying immigration to be able to skip/circumvent some requirements that are not met.Mark ********
@Pete *********
It's the agents who are abusing the system. The foreigners are just the sheep being led blindly
Maxim ***********
This is fake news. Nothing to do with agent opening 30 accounts. Agents do this all the time with every single bank. Nobody care about this. The reason why this particular time it went viral is because of what Richard said below:
"In addition to the increased restrictions on opening bank accounts now used by all banks for six months or more, the Bangkok bank in a Pattaya branch was involved in a scam with a group of 15 Chinese call center scammers involving hundreds of accounts, 2 billion baht laundering and scamming 2,000 victims."
Related to this news:
Because as I said, every single bank are being used for quick in and out transfer. Agent put money in your account and you send back to a third account. It's done by many agents all over Thailand and with every single bank. Until the victims have money, which in this case, some rich Chinese got scammed. It made the news. So Bangkok Bank had to save face. That's it.
"In addition to the increased restrictions on opening bank accounts now used by all banks for six months or more, the Bangkok bank in a Pattaya branch was involved in a scam with a group of 15 Chinese call center scammers involving hundreds of accounts, 2 billion baht laundering and scamming 2,000 victims."
Related to this news:
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4?utm_source=chatgpt.com&fbclid=IwY2xjawMRk2BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjUHZuMUFuS0NQV3g2bnh0AR5ykFSolEtMTIIgEUCxVU7qmcA95UR0XOxzLlKTdS-9JnNM-jJCWQK9bzYSzA_aem_67jA-IRrnX2bYcZkmIADXABecause as I said, every single bank are being used for quick in and out transfer. Agent put money in your account and you send back to a third account. It's done by many agents all over Thailand and with every single bank. Until the victims have money, which in this case, some rich Chinese got scammed. It made the news. So Bangkok Bank had to save face. That's it.
Mark ********
@Maxim **********
So why are retiree bank accounts being targeted? Those which require a bank letter certifying the balance is 800k?Jesper *******
@Mark *******
blame the foriegmers who doesn't have the funds but want to stay in thailand....when there's a demand there will be someone to supply...the agents help those foriegmers to fulfill thier dreams and when something happen now blame the agents?Jesper *******
@Jarmo ********
that's why foreigners who are here long enough will understand and try to stay away from agents.....for those who are new to thailand you have to start from somewhere to learn the ropesJesper *******
@Mark *******
fully agreed on thisJesper *******
@Mark *********
many ppl does not move here to navigate the corrupt system......they move here for cheaper expenses living a better life that they can't afford back home and find ways of staying here as long as possible.....
Jarmo *********
@Jesper ******
agents have done this forever, immigration knows it but nobody cared so far. And its still going.
Mark **********
@Jesper ******
except they advertise activities are technically not legal and it’s tolerated as they work directly with the banks and immigration. So how can you blame people moving here for trying to navigate a corrupt system that encourages rule breaking but only by certain people at certain times?
Jesper *******
@Mark *********
agents were created due to demand.....everyday someone is asking for agents on FB be it for visa or driving licence or opening bank acct or looking for a place to stay......Mark ********
@Jesper ******
They're exactly the type of foreigners Thailand doesn't want, that's why things are tightening up. They're broke already. If they can't afford a visa they're not adding much value to the Thai economy. Kick em out I sayJesper *******
@Mark *******
and WHY does the agent needs to do that cos the foriegmers can't afford it.....many foriegmers will not be staying in thailand long term if there are no agents........Mark ********
@Jesper ******
It's the agents who are paying the 800k in and then withdrawing it a few hours later. That's what the bank has the shits about. Sometimes we just can't have everything we want.Mark **********
@Jesper ******
yeah God forbid the agents in their own country know and follow the law, helping guide the people trying to live here down the right path. Some countries we’re from would not allow hundreds of visa companies to openly break the law for years and years so people just assume it’s all legit. 🤷♂️
Jim ***********
Also Bkk bank have halved daily withdrawal ATM limit. I've opened another account Kasikorn keep options open.
Andy *******
All immigration branches have different rules due to the B.B. crackdown, some will avoid them all together
Michael ********
Bank keep money as per immigration regulations (still not sure of legalities of this) its to stop agents
Jeremy ********
Every Sotomor has their own policy
Andy *******
@Jeremy *******
Sotomor ? WTF
Robert *********
Immigration said BB wants a 4 month hold on the $800k, all the other banks want the usual 3 months.
Bob **********
@Robert ********
it’s to stop an agent from putting up the money and withdrawing it a minute laterMax *************
@Robert ********
It's 2 months, not 3 months.Robert *********
@Max ************
I’m going to stand by my personal experience while getting my Non O. If you only had to hold for 2 months, good for you.Max *************
@Maitin ******
And that's what I've said the whole time. Basically,if keeping the money in the bank untouched, it's no difference the second year compared to how it was earlier. Get it?
Maitin *******
@Max ************
you get the letter and one way or another the money is in the bank for 4 months. It's what I've said since the beginning. You can get the letter the day you deposit the money and they will freeze it for 4 months.Max *************
@Maitin ******
We're talking about Bangkok Bank. The 4 months seasoning has nothing to do with the bank letter. You will get the bank letter 2 months prior to the day you apply for the extension,as usual. But if your money hasn't been seasoned 4 months,it will be frozen until 4 months is reached. But again, you'll have your bank letter.Maitin *******
@Max ************
you can do it either way. One way or another the money has to be in the bank for 4 months. I never said it wasn't 2 months at immigration. I said there is a difference between what immigration wants and what the banks will do. The banks wish to hold the money 3-4 months; otherwise they won't issue the letter. Since you actually need the letter, it doesn't take matter what immigration requires. I was at my bank 4 days ago and this is exactly what they told me. I even asked the manager to clarify in English. At the end, it's all in the noise....
Max *************
@Maitin ******
It's still officially 2 months,not 3 months, and you have misunderstood those 4 months at Bangkok Bank. You don't need to season the money 4 months to get the bank letter. You will get the bank letter exactly same as before, 2 months prior to the day you apply at immigration. But your money must be in your account 4 months prior to avoid your money to be frozen.Get it?Maitin *******
@Max ************
no but the banks have had problems due to fake and illegal accounts. The banks seem to be concerned about problems with the banking regulators and are being very cautious, some more than others. For example, one bank wants to hold the money for 4 months ( before or after ) the money is deposited before they will issue the letter to immigration. Some banks require 3 months.
So it's not that immigration is making the banks do it, it is other factors that are causing the banks to exceed immigration requirements.
Max *************
@Maitin ******
Immigration can't order a bank to do anything.Maitin *******
@Max ************
there is a difference between what immigration requires and what the banks will do.
Nongnuch ********
@Robert ********
Robert Ellmann actually, the "usual" police order asks for a 2-months seasoning period, not 3 months. Some Immigrations try the 3-months trick, to force you into the fangs of agents who will pay tea money to the ImmigrationMax *************
@Robert ********
2 months is most common at immigration offices in Thailand.Robert *********
@David *********
my 15 month Non O required proof of 3 months, I had to show for the for 3 month application and again at the 12 month application.
Pete *******
@Robert ********
there is no such animal as a 15 month Non-O.
John **********
@Robert ********
its a combination of a 3 month visa and a 12 month extension of stayRobert *********
@Pete ******
it’s a combination of a 3 month and 12 month, two different stamps.Andy *******
@David *********
depends on the branch due to recent activities involving BB and international issues
Bradford ******
Sounds like a wild rumor. Bangkok Bank is not under investigation.
Sandy *******
OP@Bradford *****
The timing of these freezes ties to recent events and broader trends:Pattaya Incident: The May 21, 2025, arrest of bank employees for helping scammers open accounts exposed risks, pushing Bangkok Bank to tighten rules, as reported by Pattaya Mail.
Global Financial Standards: Thailand is enforcing KYC rules to meet international anti-money laundering and tax transparency standards, as noted in a Reddit post (r/Thailand). This requires banks to verify account holders.
Sanctions on Russia: While not explicitly confirmed, sanctions may be influencing the focus on Russian accounts, as suggested by @xxeegghhffrr on X.
Cybersecurity Efforts: Thailand is boosting online security to stop scams, as the Bangkok Post reported on May 28, 2025. Freezing accounts is part of this push.
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