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Does Bangkok Bank freeze your funds when applying for a marriage visa in Thailand?
Bangkok BankMarriage VisaVisa ApplicationVisa RequirementsRetirement VisaBanking in ThailandFinancial Regulations
Jul 14, 2025
10 months ago
Robert *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt is my understanding that when you apply for a marriage visa Bank bank freezes your funds.
Do they only freeze the 400,000 thb or do they freeze all the money in the account?
Do they only freeze the 400,000 thb or do they freeze all the money in the account?
TLDR : Answer Summary
There is some confusion regarding whether Bangkok Bank freezes funds when applying for a marriage visa. Some users confirm that freezing of funds occurs only for the specified 400,000 THB, while others assert that recent policy changes may affect this process. However, multiple users report not experiencing any freezing of their funds during their application process, indicating that this may vary by branch and individual circumstances.
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Rob **********
Bangkok bank does not freeze your money when you apply for an extension based on marriage to a Thai National, have been doing my extension’s for years, and just recently extended for a further 12 months, and my account or money in that account was not frozen at all.
Matthew *********
@Rob *********
it's a new policy. the bank issued a letter a couple weeks ago. They will freeze your money. They said clearly in the new letter. They didn't do it in the past bit thus is the future. I am sure they will lose a lot of business.Rob **********
@Matthew ********
as I mentioned above, I recently did another 12 months extension and was not issued with any letter which states my account will be frozen and even asked the branch manager who we know very well and she told us no they don’t. What happens at other branches in Thailand I don’t know, but it’s not the case in the branch in Cha-am.Nongnuch ********
@Rob *********
Something does not seem right in what you say. . . . . . So how did you prove on Immigration that you had a minimum of 400,000 THB in your bank account for a minimum of 2 months, if your bank branch didn't issue the "bank letter of guarantee" confirming exactly this? Does your Immigration in Hua Hin allow you to show the proof with the passbook only ?Rob **********
@Nongnuch *******
I didn’t say the branch doesn’t issue the letter confirming the money has been in my account for the specified time, I am saying that Bangkok branch in Cha-am doesn’t freeze your account like other people are mentioning.Nongnuch ********
@Rob *********
that's maybe because you never went under 400,000 THB for 12 consecutive months, so the Bangkok Bank Cha Am was able to issue the "2-months seasoning" letter for Immigration. That the "freeze" rule actually exists must have fallen under the table in your caseRob **********
@Nongnuch *******
I haven’t been under 400,000 baht for 20 plus yearsNongnuch ********
@Rob *********
which actually is not requested from foreigners married to a Thai wife. Once issued the 12-months extension, they can use the 400,000 THB for living expenses . . the 400K just need to be back 2 months before the next extensionRob **********
@Nongnuch *******
that account is just what I call my visa account and remained at 400,000 baht plus whatever interest it has earned over the decades, I never touch it, as I also have my everyday account plus my FCD account all with Bangkok bank.Reply to
Rob **********
Reply
Karsten ********
Just do DTV soft power medical... You need 3 months 500k. Appointments with your dentist are good enough, not prove funds for the next 5 years. Marriage Visa was pain in the a.. Every year the same bullsh..t
Kool *******
@Karsten *******
the big difference is that on the type O extension based on Thai wife, you can get a work permit to work in Thailand. You can't do that on a DTV. Also, being married to a Thai, and working in Thailand, and paying your taxes for three years, plus other documents, etc, you have a route to apply for Thai citizenship after just three years, or get permanent residency, something you can't do on the DTV. A type O based on marriage has it's advantages.Karsten ********
@Kool ******
yeah this is true... He didn't mention that, I stopped working 4 years ago, the citizenship application wanted that I have a 120k salary and pay 20k taxes monthly for 3 years.. It's even more paperwork if you married and work instead of having just a company, I know it is much less required if you are married.Kool *******
@Karsten *******
and only wages of minimum bt40,000 monthly if married to a Thai.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
Robert *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you everyone that clarifies everything for me. I already have the money in the account and have had it for over a year so shouldn't be an issue thank you.
Karsten ********
Nobody freeze your money... You shouldn't have less then 400k, but you can have 2 million.
Nongnuch ********
@Karsten *******
Es betrifft nicht nur Konten, die mit einem Touristenvisum eröffnet wurden, sondern es betrifft ALLE Bangkok Bank Konten . . . . . not only freeze" accounts that have been opened by tourists. The new Bangkok Bank "freeze 4 months" rule affects EVERY account of a foreigner, regardless what visa they were on when they opened it!Matthew *********
@Karsten *******
try reading bangkok post sometimes. You had seen the new policy put forward by bangkok bank. Just started and the reason I have withdrawn all my money. Violates international banking standards for bank to act as agents of immigration and visa requirementsKarsten ********
@Matthew ********
sure, but Bangkok bank not freeze any money, only from accounts which was open with a tourist visa.Nongnuch ********
@Karsten *******
you are wrong againKarsten ********
@Nongnuch *******
for?Karsten ********
@Nongnuch *******
Es ist halt falsch übersetzt, wenn du ein 800k 3 Monate Statement haben möchtest, möchte die Bank halt das du es 1 Monat länger auf dem Account hältst. Verstehe das ganze Theater nicht, Seit 20 Jahren jede Work Permit, jedes Visa selber gemacht. Ich rege mich eher darüber auf das es Agenturen gibt die ein Visa Ohne selbst erbrachte Finanzielle Mittel ermöglichen. Es steht jedem Frei seine Bank zu wählen. Er kann doch 400k auf der Bank lassen als finanziellen Nachweis, er kann ja jede mögliche Summe auf der Bank haben, halt nicht unter 400.000, kontobewegungen sind weiter möglich keiner "freeze" a account. wo ist da meine Behauptung falsch?Nongnuch ********
@Karsten *******
Du hast die neue "4-Monate" Regel auf diejenigen Konten beschränkt, die auf Touristenvisa eröffnet wurden. Das war falsch. Es betrifft jedes von Ausländern geführte Konto bei der Bangkok Bank, für die man den Bankbrief haben möchte. Es hat NICHTS mit den Touristen zu tun oder wiedas Konto vorher eröffnet wurde. Du hast etwas verwechseltKarsten ********
Der Ursprung des post war, ob sein Konto über den Zeitraum von 4 Monate eingefroren wird. NEIN, wird es nicht, er kann sein Konto benutzen!
Es sind Konten eingefroren worden die mit Touristen Visa eröffnet worden sind. Heisst man kann nichts mehr überweisen oder Geld empfangen, das Konto ist halt eingefroren.
Es sind Konten eingefroren worden die mit Touristen Visa eröffnet worden sind. Heisst man kann nichts mehr überweisen oder Geld empfangen, das Konto ist halt eingefroren.
Reply to
Karsten ********
Reply
Matthew *********
@Karsten *******
bullshit, bangkok bank new policy.Karsten ********
As i mentioned before nobody freeze any money, the money has to be 1 month longer then required on the bank to get the statement. Isn't it required from immigration 800k, 3 months before, 3 months after, then not below 400k the other 6 months.
Matthew *********
@Karsten *******
wrong againWylie *******
@Karsten *******
for retirement its 2 months before and 3 months after I believe, not to go below 400k ever. So not really much of a change for retirement.For marriage its 400k 2 months prior and no requirement after, and can go to zero if one wants. So, more a restriction than immigration requirement for marriage.
Reply to
Wylie *******
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Karsten *******
and Robert Martino . . . Bangkok Bank has started to require applicants to the 1-year extension of stay based on either marriage or retirement, to "freeze" or better, "keep" the required funds (400,000 or 800,000 whichever applies) in the account for a minimum of 4 MONTHS. If you don't, they won't issue the "bank letter of guarantee" with which they confirm that you had the required funds in your bank account for a minimum of 2 months (at some Immigrations they ask for 3 months). Actually this is NOT an Immigration requirement, it is a new Bangkok Bank requirementReinhard ********
@Nongnuch *******
Da werden ich wohl mein Konto bei der BKK schließen und mein Geld woanders parken.Bei der Krungthai geht das .IT dem Statement eh viel unkomplizierter.Im Januar für die Steuererklärung ca.10 Minuten.Pete *******
@Nongnuch *******
nope, BB require the money to be seasoned for 4 months. If the money has been already been in the account for 4 months they issue the certificate of deposit immediately, no issues. If not they request you accept the funds will be frozen until the 4 month period has passed but will still issue the certificate of deposit immediately on request.Nongnuch ********
@Pete ******
okay, so just 4 months, not 6 months. My sources were incorrectReply to
Pete *******
Reply
Paul ********
@Karsten *******
Bangkok bank isGraham ******
@Paul *******
they are not freezing the money but not doing the paperwork required for Immigration purposes unless the funds have been there for 4 monthsReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Brandon ************
It's only Bangkok Bank that does that. You'll need to check with them for the specifics of it.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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