Answereda year ago
Can I transfer my 400,000 THB to a Krungthai account for my visa renewal instead of keeping it in Bangkok Bank?
So i am seeing tons of people having problems with Bangkok bank for visa renewals and applications. If I were to open a, say krungthai, account. And transfer over my 400k for marriage. Then go to immigration next week. Got statements from Bangkok bank and krungthai. Does that work for my financial part. Or does it need to stay in one single account?
Answer summary
The post discusses issues faced by expats when dealing with Bangkok Bank for visa renewals. The author considers transferring their 400,000 THB to a Krungthai account for visa application purposes. Comments highlight various perspectives on the necessity of keeping funds in a single bank account, concerns about international transfer requirements, and the implications of changing banks during the visa application process. There is general advice to secure the visa extension before considering a bank switch.
53 repliesnewest first
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David **********
If you are going to change banks, get your extension first , then switch.
Jim ***********
Just done transfer Bkk bank to Kasikorn. Both my accounts. Facial scan took 10 mins at least tried load times. Bkk making it more difficult and renewal time will probably close account after extension. It's a hassle don't want or need. Multiple transactions now always facial recognition and need try loads times.
Cris ******
OP@Jim **********
haha yes the facial rec thing is terrible, and i always look like a goober in public when i try to do it. the other reason i want to switch is the closest bangkok bank location is like 45 minutes from me, i have a krungthai bank like 2 minutes from my house.Jim ***********
@Cris *****
I live Hua Hin need go pattaya branch for yearly statement I'm on 65k method only original branch can give me. It's the facial recognition hassle had enough of.Jim ***********
@Cris *****
gona let run til renewal then change next year to Kasikorn. Face recognition about 10 times every transfer can't be bothered with doing.Cris ******
OP@Jim **********
also. I believe you can switch branches. You need to fill out some form and submit it to your new branch.Peter ***********
@Jim **********
You can now order 12 month statement from the Bangkok Bank app. No need to visit your branchRoberto *********
@Cris *****
I extended my non-O retirement visa on Monday just gone. I've used Bangkok Bank for the last 15 years. It is the most farang-friendly bank in Thailand. There's no way in the world I would shift. The posts you've been reading are from those expats who use visa agents to bypass the rules, now Bangkok Bank has wised up to them, and they're melting down!Here's mine
********************************************
Maitin *******
@Roberto ********
I'm heading over there after the holiday to actually talk with the bank. I've heard a lot of conflicting stories. Done say it has to stay in a separate account for 4 months. Others say it stays in a frozen account for 4 months after they issue the letter for immigration. Others say it's a combination of 4 months before and after. One person said an entire year in a frozen account.
What is the actual answer?
Peter ***********
@Maitin ******
From what I've heard it's four months, but you have to leave it in for three months anyway, and then you can still only withdraw 400k, as the other 400k can't be touched.Maitin *******
@Peter ********
I'll go to the bank after the holiday .. if that are being difficult because they are in the naughty corner, K Bank here I come... Btw. Immigration says it's 2 months .
Also, since US embassy won't give a letter for income. Can you use a statement from wise showing a year of transfers?
Seriously this shouldn't be this difficult.
Cris ******
OPsee!!!! haha
Graham ******
If you move your money out you will get nothing from Bangkok Bank for your extension
Peter ***********
Tons of people? Stop listening to the Facebook fearmongers!
Cris ******
OP@Peter ********
in the last week ive seen 3 posts about it. Not fear mongering. People posting their experiences when they either go to immigration or the bank. Im simply just trying to find out validity.Peter ***********
@Cris *****
It sounds like you're not quite doing the right thing, if you're so frightened of having your account frozen. Perhaps you're better off using another bank, although I suspect other banks will eventually follow suit as far as long-term visas are concernedCris ******
OP@Peter **********
its just a timing thing. We are in the middle of building our business/houses, and i need that money for construction. I would normally just transfer it over from the US but the exchange rates are absolute garbage right now. i usually keep the 400k in my account year round, and on this occasion it will be replenished as soon as the rates come back up.
Mark ********
@Cris *****
I wouldn't be basing your banking strategy on three whiney posts from expats who are probably using visa agents! I extended my retirement visa two weeks ago. Been with Bangkok Bank twelve years, never had a problem. No suspension, no freezing. BB has a great app - I use QR scan to pay for everything in Thailand, never let me down once. Great bank
Frank **********
Never have a problem with Bangkok Bank. I think they are trying to weed out Agents who take the money out shortly after they deposit it. It's a smart move for them.
Adam *********
Immigration told me I can’t drop below the 400k at all so I don’t mind if they freeze it I don’t spend it anyway
Graham ******
@Adam ********
So you are on an extension based on retirement not marriage as a marriage extension has no funding requirements beyond the issue of the extensionAdam *********
@Graham *****
marriage 🤷🏻 it’s just what the officer told us in Hua hin. Be better if I can use it if that officer just told me wrongAdam *********
Graham ******
@Adam ********
you were told wrong, you just need 400k before your next application, nothing inbetween
Thomas *******
The problem I see is if you transfer from Bangkok bank to Krungthai it doesn't show as an international transfer at this point and it might negate the whole process. If you open a Krungthai account you need 400k transferred in there from your home country from everything I have read and seen. I could be mistaken as I do know for a non-o it has to show as an international transfer to be accepted.
เดแคลน ***********
Need to be seasoned in the same bank, so if you want to do it from a different bank you'll need to do it next year.
Cris ******
OPperfect. Thank you
Lynnette *******
Not sure what you think that would achieve. The money's already in Bangkok bank so why move it?
Mike ********
@John ********
I think Bangkok Bank is just being proactive on money laundering and fraud accounts abuse. Thailand banking is ranked low on aml issues.John *********
@Mike *******
proactive? No. They can’t see the difference between a European, Australian and American expat and a Chinese money launderer.
Tony *****
@John ********
how have you found Krungthai bank when it’s time for extension of stay and required letters for deposit held. 🙏John *********
@Tony ****
I will do that in January 2026.Tony *****
@John ********
good move. Honestly in Jomtien they were so helpful. She was so apologetic she couldn’t do it there and then. There was a huge queue in the bank and she said if I get the TM 30 come straight back and come to the front to her. Sad,y time was against mePeter ***********
@John ********
Never had a problem with Bangkok Bank. They even now have a facility to print off a 12-month statement for visa extension purposes.Lynnette *******
@John ********
they are doing their bit to root out people who don't have the money or want to play the system and not use their own money but agent money. Freezing the money required for the visa? I don't have a problem with that.John *********
@Lynnette ******
good points. I see your perspective. I have tried on 2 different occasions to open an account at Bangkok Bank (2024 and 2025) and both times they gave me the run-around. At the same time while at the bank employee’s desk, my Thai wife and I looked at each other and said this is a futile effort. Both times I had the all the correct documents and a Non-O visa.John *********
@Lynnette ******
it is because Bangkok Bank has a “f—— you foreigner” culture and mind set. This bank should be avoided.I was with GSB and they would not let me have the phone app.
I also switched to Krungthai Bank.
Cris ******
OP@Lynnette ******
because it seems like every week Bangkok bank causes more issues. Threatening to hold money for 4 months after your visa. One person said it will be on hold for an entire year. Its to switch banks. Not sure why thats hard to understandRoberto *********
@Cris *****
You're over-reacting to a few dodgy account holders who have had their accounts suspended because they're on incorrect visas. No-one on long term visas is affected
Max *************
@Cris *****
I think you have misunderstood the whole thing. Bangkok Bank freezes the money 4 months prior to the day you apply for an extension at immigration to get the bank letter. The difference is just 2 more months compared to the requirement from immigration.You never switch from Bangkok Bank to Krungthai. That's not very smart. If you move money from one bank to another,it must happen the same day. Otherwise the time the money have been in the new account starts from that day. I hope you understand what I mean.Roberto *********
@Cris *****
Hasn't affected me! No-one is going to openly admit in a Facebook group that they pay bribes to government officials are they? They're going to pretend they do everything right and it's the big bad bank that is the problem!Cris ******
OP@Roberto ********
oh im not arguing that agents and people do that/abuse it. Im arguing that normal people who do it the right way are still being affected.Roberto *********
@Cris *****
Actually what he said is totally true. Agents have abused Bangkok Bank over the years with this short term (ie. One day) "loan", so now the bank has had enough and to ensure they meet regulator's guidelines, they won't issue a certification letter unless the funds have been in the account for minimum four months - if the funds haven't been in for the required time, the letter will be issued and the funds frozen until the qualifying time has been reached.Cris ******
OP@Peter ********
thats just purely not true. But thank you for your inputPeter ***********
@Cris *****
The only people it has affected are those who use visa agents (800k baht in and out the same day), and they're the ones who are whining. Those who do the right thing are unaffected.Cris ******
OP@Peter ********
there have been numerous posts about this. On this group, other visa groups too. So im not supposed to believe or take notice to anything in this group? What's the point of it thenPeter ***********
@Cris *****
Who told you? And you believed them? Seriously?
Pete *******
@Cris *****
just got my certificate of deposit from Bangkok Bank, in and out in 5 mins. No mention of freezing account.Cris ******
OP@Max ************
i was told. When you go get your proof of funds form etc. They basically will freeze 400k in your account from that day for 2 months.Lynnette *******
@Billy *********
you keep your immigration money in one bank. So it's accepted by immigration. Your other money can be in another bank. Up to you.Cris ******
OP@Max ************
haha 😄Max *************
@Billy *********
You can not have the money required at immigration split up between 2 banks. At least, I have never heard of that before. What did your parents know about Thai banks when you were in your teens?
Billy **********
@Max ************
why would one keep ALL their eggs in one basket ? Especially a foreign basket 🧐
My parents taught me that in my teens.
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