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How long will a Thai bank account remain operational without transactions?

Thai banking regulationsInactive bank accountsBangkok BankVisa and financial conditionsExpat banking in Thailand
Jun 14, 2020
5 years ago
Giovanni ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Like many of us I am stranded outside of Thailand. I wonder how long a Thai bank where I opened a bank account will keep it operational without any transactions. In some countries, after a longer or shorter period, inactive bank accounts are closed automatically
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The longevity of a Thai bank account without transactions varies by bank, with some allowing periods of inactivity before charging fees or closing the account. Accounts may incur monthly charges after a year of inactivity if the balance drops below a certain amount, commonly around 2,000 Baht. Thus, maintaining this minimum balance can keep the account open for several years. Users are encouraged to check specific bank policies or perform minor transactions periodically to avoid inactivity fees.
Bee *****
I update the book every 6 months. If you have internet banking.... Do some transactions every 6 months. Then ask the bank later even you back here... Lost quite a fair bit on inactive accounts both Bangkok and UK... Real hassle to get it returned from dormant accounts...
5 years ago
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Martin *****
Use applications or transfer money to it
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
It should stay active for at least ten years if you keep at least 2,000B in it. If under 2k they can deduct a 50B/month inactivity fee after a year with no activity. It used be forever, if you kept 2,000B, the 10 year thing was a proposed law around 2018 that I'm not sure was ever enacted.

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*****
46/dormant-account-law-details-emerge
5 years ago
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Terary **********
If you want to send your ATM card and pin -- I can help you out.šŸ¤£šŸ¤£
5 years ago
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Andy **********
Transfer the money to me and I'll transfer back
5 years ago
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Alan *******
I don't wish to be rude but we've been living in the era of emails for 25 years or so. Have you emailed and asked them? Pretty easy to do
5 years ago
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Paul *******
A year
5 years ago
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Wojciech ***********
Two years
5 years ago
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Phill ******
i have bbk bank acc , inactive for 2 years , no problem .
5 years ago
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Allan ************
I have two Thai bank accounts my wife makes sure thereā€™s plenty of activity.
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
Online Banking will fix the problem
5 years ago
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John ******
One year. After this period the bank starts deducting 100 thb monthly if there is any remaining balance until use all the funds in the account. After that the account is automatically closed. If you have a Thai bank account and you are able to manage it by your mobile any transaction you make (a transfer of any amount, a payment, etc... ) should be enough for keep your account active.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
Minimum balance is 2,000B. If you keep that in it, and don't have anything else that deducts from it (like an annual ATM card fee) you should be good for at least ten years. If you go below the 2,000, after one year of no activity they can (and do) charge 50B/month inactivity fee until the account is empty, and then close it.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Wilmont ******
I donā€™t understand you question
5 years ago
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Giovanni ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I got it but gonna expires in 15 months. Not sure we are allowed back to Thailand within next 2 years
5 years ago
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Giovanni ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am worry coz a large part of my funds are deposited in Thailand and in case they don't let me in for some years I will lose all the money
5 years ago
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Edward ******
@Giovanni *****
 don't you have ATM card?
5 years ago
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Edward ******
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Reiner *********
Hahaha crazy.. Why should the bank do anything... ....you have telfon. Or Internet ?
5 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Rei***
 You English much?
5 years ago
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Reiner *********
I speak 5 , yes and I can in thai, or, French , or Spanish ....but you not even have knowledge of history ....and even have no clue what's happening in Europe or Germany....you should focus much more on your idiot clown as president ...or the virus ..
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Reiner ********
 - You're an egotistical A-Hole. Your knowledge is obviously superficial. Without Google you likely know little about what is called the Germanic Migratory Invasions that swept Europe. I have an entire book collection about it. Plus another collection of the origination of Surnames in the British Isles, Western Europe and Scandinavia. I could go on for pages about my studies which even includes pre-written history of what we now call the British Isles, Western Europe

,Scandinavia, Russia, the Middle East and more. None of your boasting points to anything except that you're nothing but an Obnoxious Jerk. I think Neanderthal might better describe you. Are you from the Neander Valley in Germany?
5 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Rei***
 Sounds like you've been using the "teflon" too much mate.
5 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Reiner *********
@Garrett **********
 it shows your intellect ....how many languages to you can speak fluently ....beside this fucking English ....but it doesn't matter you understood it ...so not totally crazy
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Reiner ********
 Try Thai and Spanish asshole
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
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Reiner *********
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Reiner ********
 Jackass
5 years ago
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Reiner *********
@Joe **********
 well every us idiot out himselfs the best... Just look at your fb page....it speaks for you
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
@Reiner ********
 - I am very proud of my FB Page. You are just another Arrogant, Conceited German Asshole. Go back to your country taken over by Muslim Immigrants - can you speak Turkish, Farsi or Arabic - you will need it if you every return to your home country.
5 years ago
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Joe ***********
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Wilmont ******
Me I get a letter from my bank every year when no activity. I have one bank account that I deposit into once a year only never take money out. Itā€™s my emergency get away fund.
5 years ago
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Jane ***********
I didn't use my Bangkok Bank account for a year and had no problems. However once when it slipped below Bht1,000 they sent me a letter saying they would close it unless more money was deposited.
5 years ago
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Janin ******
As long as they take ā€œworking feeā€ you donā€™t have to worry. I have one I work with only one month a year, nothing happen, I think it will be a long long time before they close it
5 years ago
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Giovanni ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
so none of us should worry about how long
*****
0 Baht for a retired visa can be left seasoned in a local bank until our funeralšŸ˜€
5 years ago
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Steven ***************
You have to update your bankbook the day you apply, by making a deposit or withdrawal, to show the balance is current, and show how long it's been there. (Yearly extension)
5 years ago
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Janin ******
@Giovanni *****
 , you have to do something 3 months prior to your visa or they donā€™t accept it
5 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ja***
 No
5 years ago
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Janin ******
@Garrett **********
 , they donā€™t accept ā€œsleepingā€ money!
5 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ja***
 Yes, they do.
5 years ago
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Janin ******
@Garrett **********
 , not in Prachuap Khiri Khan, I experienced it!
5 years ago
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Janin ******
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David ****************
I had an account that couldn't have online access because it was in two names. Due to that we ended up rarely using it but we had a small amount there. A service charge for inactivity eventually drained it and then it was closed due to the balance. So, indirectly it was closed from inactivity due to that charge and low balance. That saved me the headache of actually doing anything about it and was welcomed. Check with your specific bank if you are concerned.
5 years ago
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David **********
Surely you can transact online.
5 years ago
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Allan ************
@David *********
 do not know how without affecting my other accounts.
5 years ago
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Allan ************
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Allan ************
Iā€™m charged Ā£18 a month in the Uk need to get back and close it
5 years ago
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Michael *******
Mine is 15 and I get nothing
5 years ago
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Allan ************
It includes various insurances one being travel but only valid for a thirty day holiday period at a time, so need to sort one out
5 years ago
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Daniel *******
@Allan ***********
 that's steep
5 years ago
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Daniel *******
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Nick ****************
I have a Bangkok Bank account I haven't used for over 2 years. The wrote to me last month saying if I didn't use it there would be a 50 baht monthly maintenance fee charged.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
What balance did it have? IIRC this should only apply if the balance is below 2,000B.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Chris ********
dont thai bank charge a yearly fee? I guess it would only be closed if that fee wasnt paid, but if the account has any balance they cant close it.
5 years ago
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Steve *******
@Chris *******
 A standard Bangkok Bank account has NO fee.
5 years ago
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Dana *******
@Steve ******
 There is a yearly fee for the ATM card. I think 200 baths.
5 years ago
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Steve *******
@Dana ******
 There's no fee for my Bangkok Bank account or the ATM card.
5 years ago
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Steve *******
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Garrett ***********
@Ch***
 Every bank is different, as are the accounts. I get charged 15 baht a month.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
@Garrett **********
 if it's Bangkok Bank I suspect that 15B/month is for their SMS account activity alerts, which are optional. That is the fee for them, like that you get a SMS when you withdraw or money comes in.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Mikus *****
Normally bank will close the account automatically when it has been inactive for many many years. In Poland its 5 years
5 years ago
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Steven ***************
Ask your thai bank, it varies between banks. Some will if theres a monthly/yearly fee and your balance drops below zero
5 years ago
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Garrett ***********
Thats an urban myth, banks don't close accounts due to inactivity.
5 years ago
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Jonas *************
@Dana ******
 that's inaccurate. I did a few months ago. You need to have address veggies by Embassy. They don't seem to care what kind of visa.
5 years ago
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Dana *******
Jade Opal Jasper With Bangkok Bank you must have a work permit to set up online ebanking on your bank account. No matter how much you have on it.
5 years ago
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David *********
@Dana ******
 no you don't.
5 years ago
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Becky **********
@Dana ******
 I live in Thailand with my Thai husband. I donā€™t have a work permit and have e-banking with Bangkok bank and also Kasikorn bank
5 years ago
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Steven ***************
@Dana ******
 . Kasikorn Bank allows online banking without a work permit. They have phone app that you can transfer funds anywhere and pay Bills direct too.
5 years ago
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Dana *******
@Steven **************
 Excellent ! I will definitely change bank as soon as I can ! šŸ˜‰
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
@Dana ******
 Bangkok Bank also gives internet and mobile banking without work permit. Even with a tourist visa, you can get internet banking. It just can't do international transfers if on a tourist visa.
5 years ago
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Ivan ************
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Terry ********
@Garrett **********
 it wasnā€™t closed but I had an account in Hong Kong that was frozen due to inactivity. I had to fly there to get it unlocked. And I know for a fact that banks in the USA will close your account after a certain number of years of inactivity and the funds go to the state.
5 years ago
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David ****************
It is an important distinction for anyone with a large balance worried about inactivity.
5 years ago
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David ****************
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