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How can I change banks without jeopardizing my retirement extension in Thailand?
Thai Retirement VisaBank Account IssuesVisa RulesImmigrationChanging BanksFinancial Requirements for VisaResidency Certificate
Oct 24, 2025
6 months ago
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTERAfter more than two months of being completely screwed around by “that bank” they now tell me they cannot unfreeze my account and need to give me my money back. I have just renewed my 12 month extension of stay (retirement) and have supplied them the relevant documents including a certificate of residency.
My question is how can I go about changing banks without “breaking” my retirement extension. I don’t have enough money just to deposit another 800k in another new bank while waiting to get my money from the original bank.
My question is how can I go about changing banks without “breaking” my retirement extension. I don’t have enough money just to deposit another 800k in another new bank while waiting to get my money from the original bank.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing challenges with a frozen bank account, which may jeopardize their retirement extension status in Thailand. They seek advice on how to switch banks without violating visa requirements, given that they have just renewed their extension and supplied necessary residency documents. Comments suggest various strategies to manage funds during the transition, such as transferring money in portions and potentially consulting with immigration or a lawyer for further assistance.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Russell ******
Bank transfer, Thai bank to Thai bank
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Russell *****
withMy bank account frozen, I am unable to do transfer. It might be a possibility to get the bank to pay me out with this method, but I doubt it as they are just plain stupid and difficult
Reply to
Malcolm *****
Reply
Sue **********
Well there must be a reason why they can‘t unfreeze your account. All those others who had frozen acc. had been unfrozen after bringing along all needed documents and proofs.
David *********
@Sue *********
they closed my account alsoMalcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ********
what did you do to maintain your visa when this happened?Sylvia ********
@David ********
and its not been reopened?David *********
@Sylvia *******
Bangkok bank gave me my money back and told me to take it to my other bank Kbank. Also I now don't carry the *****
0 for my Visa. I use the monthly deposit from my home country for my Visa nowReply to
David *********
Reply
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sue *********
the branch (told me by phone) are demanding a rental agreement for a condo/ house. I don’t rent; I live with my gf in her house. The irony is the certificate of residency I provided and 12 Month extension stamp is more “recognised” by Thai govt. (immigration) than a rental agreementSue **********
@Malcolm ****
well thats no problem, if its her house she can make a rental contract for a year. A lot of expats live in the house of their gf or thaispouse. You will need this for your 1 year extension anyway.Sylvia ********
@Sue *********
correctMalcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sue *********
I just completed my one yearExtension last month - no lease needed - just a TM30 and the other stuff
Lynnette *******
@Malcolm ****
the bank wants a rental/lease agreement, that's their requirement so just comply with that and you'll have your account unfrozen. Seems pretty straightforward to me. Refusing to give them one is a bit daft and could look like you're not living anywhere long term but a bit itinerant. A TM30 only states where you were recently.Sylvia ********
Simply ask your partner to draw up a lease and the account will be unfrozen then all problems are solved
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sylvia *******
sounds like I might have to do this. My end plan is to get away from this bank - my original question was how to move banksSylvia ********
@Malcolm ****
fully appreciate that and sure immigration will advise youMalcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTERSylvia ********
@Lynnette ******
correctMalcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
did you bother to read my post - because you’re not answering the question I actually asked 🤔Lynnette *******
@Malcolm ****
yes, I bothered to read all your posts. After many posts, you eventually said your branch is not where you live. Either way, you've been asked for rental lease and you can give them that.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Perry *********
@Sue *********
And waiting 7 to 10 days for admin.Reply to
Perry *********
Reply
Tijana ****************
As already mentioned. Make a rental contract with your girlfriend.
Daniel *******
open kassigon
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel ******
and…?Daniel *******
@Malcolm ****
because if yiur bank is frozen, kassigon is a option which a lot of people are using up to youReply to
Daniel *******
Reply
Chris *******
Talk to a lawyer to sort out..
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
one lawyer told me the bank dictates the terms and does what they want - can do nothing with them.Immigration are 100% black and white on their requirements
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
you’re assuming. The branch my account is with is 1000kms away, not easy just to drop in. I went to a branch close to where I live. They said they could assist, they pulled out the bank manual of requirements and told me what to supply also they can facilitate the unfreezing. Unfortunately it appears each branch can do why they want head office does not do anything.
I was only just told in the last
Couple of days, after waiting many weeks for the branch to contact me, that they possible need one of two things (rental agreement or “impossible” embassy letter)
Marc ********
@Malcolm ****
actually you gave yourself the answer already. You need to go to the branch you opened the account. Even if it is 1000kms away.Lynnette *******
@Marc *******
he could try his local branch of the bank. He's said they'll give him the cash so he must be able to go in to show them the documents they've asked for. His first post never mentioned his bank where he opened his account was nowhere near where he lives or does his retirement extension. Our replies have been based on what he said, that the bank would unfreeze his account if he showed a rental lease.Marc ********
@Lynnette ******
yes it might is possible at some other branches. But it can be very complicated. That's why before opening account need to consider what branch to take so it's not too big of a hassle going back there in an emergencyLynnette *******
@Marc *******
yes, but he may have moved home. Either way, on day one when he was asked for rental lease that was the time to see if local branch could send the documents to unlock account.Marc ********
@Lynnette ******
He said already the location where he originally opened the account is 1000km away from where he is now. Most likely they would not ask for many documents at the branch he opened the accountLynnette *******
@Marc *******
hope he gets it sorted now, lots of people have made suggestions that might help.Marc ********
@Lynnette ******
I didn't really see any solution given to him he didn't know already. There are very limited options anywayReply to
Marc ********
Reply
Chris *******
@Malcolm ****
what bank is it? Did you try to go at the head office of your bank?Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ******
it’s the worse bank in Thailand - anyone in the know will understand I spoke to their Head Office; they were rude and basically told me whatever the particular branch wants to do, they do
Sylvia ********
@Malcolm ****
not what I been told, email and tell them your lawyer wants the reason why its not unfrozenLynnette *******
@Malcolm ****
but they've told you what they want and that's all you need to do, give them a rental contract from the person who's house you stay at. Why argue and complain when the answer is to show this?Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
on two separate calls they have told me they require two different things; first was a lease agreement, the second was a “certificate” as they put it, from my Australian embassy confirming I reside in Thailand. Pretty sure my embassy are not actually authorised to provide that ?Lynnette *******
@Malcolm ****
so why didn't you you go in to the bank and show them the lease agreement when they first asked? You've spent a lot of time arguing with them, making calls, complaining, so perhaps you've now created a very negative situation. If you'd just said ok on day one, "I'll bring in a rental lease agreement", it may not have escalated.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Brian ********
Moving forward, it might be a good idea to open 2 bank accounts in the future so if the same happens again you still have a working bank
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brian *******
definitely the plan👍. Thai banking will certainly play the same BS games in the futureGraham *****
Reply to
Graham *****
Reply
Jeff *******
If you've just renewed it, you could just deposit 65k a month into your new bank account and switch to the monthly method at renewal OR just go and ask immigration
Graham ******
@Jeff ******
The current extension will be invalid without the 800k for 3 months and 400k for the rest of the year plus starting the 65k now would only generate 11 deposits before the current extension expires. The OP will need to do a border bounce to end this extension and start with the Non-O again.Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jeff ******
and where do I get 65k per month from?Stan ******
@Malcolm ****
you confuse me now. Whether you have any of that money in a bank, you still have to show *****
baht/month income from from outside Thailand if you are here on a retirement visa. Right? Don’t you have 65k baht plus coming to you every month(pension or whatever)? If not, how you living? Off a girlfriend and illegally?
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stan *****
incorrect - you’re confused because you’re wrong about needing to show 65kthb.Stan ******
@Malcolm ****
ok. Are you in Thailand in a non-O immigrant visa? Then it’s my understanding you have to have *****
baht per month every month being deposited in some bank somewhere in Thailand. Whether you have the large amount in the bank or not. ???🤷Yo***
@Stan *****
he said he already has over 800,000 ThB in his account. the problem here is not the money but bank.Stan ******
@Yo***
yes he did. He also asked where he is going to get *****
a month from. I must assume he means the required monthly amount from some type of income. Required for a retirement non-O visa. Which I would think he already has coming in monthly. Whether he can deposit that into another bank monthly and still fulfill his visa requirements I couldn’t say. Does that make any sense?Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stan *****
where did I ask where I am going to get 65k a month from. Read my post; I said I don’t have another 800k. I have 800k in a bank account to qualify for my retirement visa. 65k per month is irrelevant
Stan ******
@Malcolm ****
Jeff Meyer and where do I get 65k per month from?Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stan *****
I believe he proposed I switch to the 65k methodReply to
Malcolm *****
Reply
Lynnette *******
Perhaps leave it where it is till the date it can be moved by 400k. Set up new account. Then transfer the remaining 400k? Would that work?
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
possibly would work. I’m just on one month into my latest extension so I would need to last another 3 months without a bank account. I see the not issue with this is the bank is telling me I need to close the account, so the entire 800k would be paid out to me in cashGraham ******
@Malcolm ****
If you go 1 Baht below 800k in the next 2 months your extension is void as you failed to meet the requirements. Know any good solicitors?Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
nope. Maybe I need to use the corrupt Thai way, whatever that isGraham ******
@Malcolm ****
better to exit before the end of this extension and re-enter to start afresh with a new Non-OLynnette *******
@Malcolm ****
did they give a reason why they want to close it?Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
they are happy to keep it open and hold my money frozen. It’s more than 800k. But they are not prepared to unlock it without a rental agreement (I live with my gf in her house). They say it can only be closed and payed out in personJim *********
@Malcolm ****
can you apply for yellow book on your gf property. You won't need rental agreement thenYo***
@Jim ********
rental agreement is just a beginning. The bank will check if you really truly paid for rent to the right owner.Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim ********
I’m looking into that - it’s a good idea. Although I don’t think this particular bank branch will accept it. But it will help with future accounts and banks that are not corrupt like this oneLynnette *******
@Malcolm ****
get your girlfriend to draw up a rental agreement. That's a solution. Otherwise you've no proof of legitimate accomodation?Yo***
@Lynnette ******
the bank can check if he really paid for rent monthly. bank in Thailand is serious concern.Reply to
Yo***
Reply
Graham ******
Are you still in the first 3 months of your extension? If not, you can transfer 400k to your new bank then, the following day after receipt of the first 400k transfer the second 400k. Make sure then don't impose the 50k transfer limit because it is they are closing your account so it should be your choice how you do it.
Yo***
@Graham *****
the bank closed his account. so his account is not exiting anymore. But he will get his money cash bank from the bank. And there must be a transaction document for this. money withdraw. and bring this to the new bank and put it into new account. and show this withdraw certificate from the bangkok bank to the immigration. it may work I think.Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTERsounds like the rental agreement might be one of my only options.
But the second time I spoke to them, they said I need a letter from my
Embassy confirming I live in Thailand. I’m pretty sure my embassy is not authorised to do that…maybe I’m wrong
Either that or learn about the corrupt way to get this fixed $$$
But the second time I spoke to them, they said I need a letter from my
Embassy confirming I live in Thailand. I’m pretty sure my embassy is not authorised to do that…maybe I’m wrong
Either that or learn about the corrupt way to get this fixed $$$
Yo***
@Malcolm ****
Really shit!!! that is typical in Thailand to make it hard. They need A, You need B to do A. But B is not possible to get. This is typical trap and evil circulation. And if you get A in the long run, they will need C. That is how it works. If I were you, I would hire a good agent. That is why I always hire agent. Things get worsening sometimes if a foreigner does it alone.Marianne ********
@Malcolm ****
Try with a rental contract and a Resident Certificate from Immigration instead of the Embassy.Reply to
Marianne ********
Reply
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
no can do. Transfers are not possible with a frozen account.The bank told me I need to supply them with a rental agreement to unfreeze, but I don’t rent - I live with my gf in the house she owns.
And yes, I have them a certificate of residency
Andy *******
@Malcolm ****
then just fill out a standard lease agreement ..job doneTore *********
@Malcolm ****
so why you cannot make a rental contract with your girlfriend? Seems like the obvious solution?Eddie ****
@Tore ********
I don’t know if it’s the same as Taiwan, in 7-11 Taiwan we have standard rental agreement, you just buy it and fill your name and sign it, simple enough.Tore *********
@Eddie ***
or download a template online. Ive done thatGraham ******
@Tore ********
👍 ***************************************************
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Graham ******
@Malcolm ****
So withdraw 400k on two different days in cash and deposit it immediately in your new account (if you're more than 3 months into your extension)Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
I cannot withdraw (frozen account) as the bank has told me they will only close the account and pay me my 800k at closureReply to
Malcolm *****
Reply
Jean ********
Why do the freeze your account?
Lynnette *******
@Jean *******
they want a piece of paper for a rental lease. He can ask his gf to make one.Jean ********
@Lynnette ******
yes So easy i dont understand 1st time i came accros about such a caseReply to
Jean ********
Reply
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jean *******
is that a serious question? Because they are corrupt. They froze thousands of legitimate accountsYo***
@Malcolm ****
Even the bank is corrupted, but you are not corrupted. You have valid documents. They are corrupted so they closed all other peoples accounts?? unbelievable! I had twice frozen before, but anyway after in person in the bank, they unfrozen mine. That is really stressful. I understand your feeling well. What if you go to another bank and open a new account? and even your account is closed, you still have record of when is your account closed. bankbook or transaction history or bank statement of that bank. They must leave records. then put the cash into your new bank account. You have records for immigration. you can just show that transaction history that you withdraw your money from the bangkok bank and put it into new account.Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ******
thank you. I empathise with you also and hope it works out.The positive is that it is a good lesson; we’re in Thailand, where common sense and decency sometimes does not prevail, so make/ update your “contingency plans”
Sylvia ********
@Malcolm ****
I've read email head office and ask for the reason, then accounts are unfrozen. Lawyer in Isan has put in complaints and accounts are sorted. They must supply a reason?Jay *******
@Malcolm ****
to be honest, that one bank has been the only problem I've encountered so far in Thailand. It just happens to be a major problem. Very surprised the government or lawyers haven't done something. But I don't pretend to know Thai law. Just seems almost criminal whats been done to some account holdersMalcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ******
totally agree with you. I have been attempting to raise my issue/ complaint with the Bank of Thailand (govt) but they are impossible to get hold of. I might try and email to them. Maybe they are just a toothless tiger 🤔Reply to
Malcolm *****
Reply
Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jean *******
did that months ago before it was frozen.Bank not asking for this.
Thanks for the suggestion
🙏
Jay *******
@Malcolm ****
did they give you a date your had to take your money out by?Malcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ******
no, they did not. I’m quite sure they are happy to hold and use myMoney for their benefit indefinitely
Jay *******
@Malcolm ****
im in a similar situation. Gave them all required info 2 months ago, but still frozen. Did my extension end of July so waiting until my 3 months is up before I go into the bank again to try and get final resolution. Hoping if they will not unfreeze that I can at least put 400k in my other bank so I can close the Bangkok account. Absolutely no reason people trying to do the right thing should have been treated so poorly. Hope you get your situation solved.Reply to
Jay *******
Reply
Dave *********
@Malcolm ****
have you Thai sim if so if not already done you need to take your passport so they can varify you if it’s connected to the bank account If not then I’m sorry for my idea
Jean ********
@Malcolm ****
un I heard that the closed illégitimate account ,like DTV but not retired visa its the first Time that I Heard that good Luck...Perry *********
I would go talk to imigration first . I did at my 90 day report and they were very helpfull with what they need for extension of retirement visa.
Perry *********
@Jean *******
they froze legimatate visa account WTF.Illegal anywhere else.Jay *******
@Jean *******
you haven't been paying attentionMalcolm *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jean *******
you need to read moreReply to
Malcolm *****
Reply
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