How can I recover funds from a frozen Bangkok Bank account without returning to the original branch?

I don’t think this publicity is good for Thailand, by all means go after mule accounts with suspicious transactional activities but not every DTV holder! But it’s Thailand only Thai logic exists.

What is Vietnam like, can tourists/remote workers open a bank account with debit card, online banking etc ?

@ANONYMOUS MEMBER Yes follow these instructions

🇹🇭 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐠’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐞𝐬

More and more foreigners in Thailand are facing the same nightmare: accounts suddenly frozen.

No warning. No access. No way to pay bills or even buy lunch.

So… what’s your Plan B?

✅ Smart Safeguards

Multi-Currency Debit Cards

Wise →

Revolut → revolut.com

N26 → n26.com

Payoneer → payoneer.com

Remitly → remitly.com

Hold THB or auto-convert from USD/EUR at real rates. Add to Apple Pay/Google Pay → works at stores that accept contactless Visa/Mastercard (not PromptPay QR)

Works at ATMs and most Visa/Mastercard terminals (some Big C stores, larger retailers). Note: Wise/Revolut cards don’t work with Thailand’s local PromptPay QR system, but they do work where contactless Visa/Mastercard is accepted.

Keep an Overseas Account Active

Don’t close your home account. Link your Wise/Revolut card to spend in Thailand. Even if your local account freezes, you’re still liquid.

Fintech Platforms

Use Wise, Payoneer, or Remitly for cross-border bill payments and transfers. Faster and cheaper than SWIFT.

Local Anchors

Property ownership, marriage visas, or long-term visas give stronger eligibility. Banks are far less likely to target these than tourist accounts.

Split Your Risk

Don’t rely on one bank. Keep part overseas, part in fintech, part local. If one channel freezes, the others keep you going.

❄️ If Your Account Is Frozen

Call 1441 → press 2 (anti-scam/unfreeze hotline)

If unresolved, escalate via BOT hotline 1213 (Financial Consumer Protection Center).

File a complaint with BOT’s Financial Consumer Protection Center (FCC):

Call 1213 or email

Submit via BOT Helps & Complaints portal



Include passport, account number, branch, visa, proof of address, and evidence of legitimate transactions.

Visit your original branch with:

Passport & visa docs

Proof of Thai address

Thai mobile number in your name

Bank statements / recent transaction evidence

Show proof of legal status (work, retirement, marriage, long-term visa).

Ask the bank to release only the “suspicious portion” of funds (per BOT guidance).

⚠️ Reality Check

Crackdowns on mule accounts and scams are driving this — but many innocent foreigners are caught in the net.

👉 Don’t wait until your account is frozen. Build your backup plan now.

If you want to get back your money : you will have to do 2 visits at the exact branch where you opened your account. With weeks in between. Thailand loooooves DTV. More to come .

How old is your account?

Mine got frozen yesterday: I visited today they say only way can keep is if you change to long term visa ie work permit or retirement. No problem closing they gave me my cash and closed it in 10 minutes . Had to be same branch I used to open it though

There is no easy way, and even worst you have to do 2 visits

With weeks in between

It’s not because of your DTV…

You have to visit the branch that you opened it.

You don't have to close it but it may be an option if they do not let you use it.

Yes, I had the same issue and went to the head office and insisted. After many no/ cannot’s we managed to close the account there.

I doubt. I've tried for years to close my own accounts using other branch and it was refused.