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Is Bangkok Bank freezing foreign accounts affecting Retirement Visa holders?
Bangkok BankForeign AccountsRetirement VisaVisa RequirementsKYCAMLImmigration Rules in ThailandExpat Banking IssuesBanking Policies
May 28, 2025
a year ago
Makro *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI heard Bangkok bank is freezing foreign accounts . Is there any problem to us who are holding Retirement Visa?
TLDR : Answer Summary
There are concerns regarding Bangkok Bank freezing foreign accounts, particularly for those without long-term visas. However, it appears that holders of Retirement Visas may not be affected. Many commenters discuss that the recent measures impact mainly those with short-term visas and note that Bangkok Bank has confirmed that legitimate account holders, like those on Retirement Visas, should have no issues. Some comments suggest that the focus is on preventing fraud and complying with international regulations.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Steve ********
Best to get your answers from the source. Have even tried looking at their website?
Wyn **********
Nope
Robert ***********
It's for marriage visa fraud only.
Pete *******
@Robert **********
nonsense, it’s a KYC/AML clampdown by BOT due to the large rise in mule accounts.Robert ***********
Russian was sent by fbi so she can get 4 years for colluding
Robert ***********
@Pete ******
they thought I wasn't full white British and treated me as a Muslim immigrate so I took actionRobert ***********
They did one it my name not realising who I was afew weeks ago so I gave them a choice.
Robert ***********
@Pete ******
for visa fraud...Reply to
Robert ***********
Reply
Jay ********
The main concern for legitimate account holders is to use the mobile banking app the SIM card must be registered to the account holder
Wannikea *********
Doesn't affect legit long term visa holders.
John *********
I live in Phuket and I am on my first 90 days of non-o immigrant visa. I get the permanent one year retirement visa in a couple weeks. I asked the head of the local Bangkok bank and he said I have no problem to worry about.
Us *****
I believe the Americans made a few calls to get this done when Putin refused to surrender.
Brenda *******
I have had a Bangkok Bank acct since 2017 and send money to cover my rent and electricity for a studio I rent by the year but only come to CM as a tourist now.
Does this affect me if you know? I am not in Thailand now but will be visiting soon.
Thanks if you can advise me.
Does this affect me if you know? I am not in Thailand now but will be visiting soon.
Thanks if you can advise me.
Susanne *********
@Brenda ******
...following. I'm in the same situation.Reply to
Susanne *********
Reply
Cris ******
So. I opened my bank account on an Ed visa almost 4 years ago. But now been married almost a year and a half and on a marriage visa .. should be fine?
David *******
@Cris *****
it might actually be an idea to go to your bank and show your current visa. Their records will show your on a ED visa so you could actuallybe at risk of your bank closing your account.Reply to
David *******
Reply
David ******
No mate they have closed all foreign bank account
Poul **********
Just went to Kbank and checked. Customer service lady confirmed that for mobile app sim name and account name must match and long term visa is required for bank account. She entered my details in the bank system which have changed lately, I have just been issued TP Gold and have changed name of sim to my own name, and confirmed no further action required
She was however not aware of any drastic actions planned for accounts not strictly in line with tightened rules
She was however not aware of any drastic actions planned for accounts not strictly in line with tightened rules
Carsten **********
@Poul *********
even when the name of SIM card holder and bank account holder was not matching, you could withdraw 50,000 per day. It's so for a while. It's all to confirm with international KYC rules, like any other country. Those few, who are affected need to submit residency certificates or similar and show proof that they legally stay in Thailand on a longer visa, same like any other country. Those, who are impacted, should not have been able to open a bank account in the first place and never updated their details. For some nations, new sanction rules kicked in and restricted further the ownership and transfer of funds from bank accounts outside their home country. Very much standard everywhere. For those, who know all and claim it is all BS and against foreigners, might consider relocating to their home country and living free again.Sebastian ******
I'm wondering what will happen with accounts that got opened on long-term visas and the customer is no longer on one. But I won't ask...
Pui *****
@Poul *********
this is not the same issue as the Bangkok Bank policy that is being well publicised today in many news articlesReply to
Pui *****
Reply
Frankie *****
As usual , mongering without fact checking
David *******
Only suspect scammer's accounts I think.
Pete *******
@David ******
no targeting but it’s been picked up and widely circulated in the Russian press via TASS.Pete *******
@David ******
Nope, all accounts without a long term visa on their bank records.David *******
@Pete ******
Actually I just read they are targeting RussiansJeremy ********
@David ******
they are targeting anyone with a short term visa ED
DTV
VISA EXEMPTION STAMP
ETC
and yes some people were able to finagle the system to open a bank account on a visa exemption stamp
The Russians will be hit hardest because as of 2022 Russia was banned from any SWIFT transactions because of the operations in the Ukraine…so Russians needed somewhere to “Park” there hard currency
John *********
@Jeremy *******
i didn’t think it was possible to open a thai bank account with ED, DTV, Visa Exempt??Scott *********
@John ********
it is certainly possible. I did tooChristopher ******
@John ********
i opened one while visa exemptJeremy ********
@John ********
if you understand Thailand then you know anything and everything is possible if you get the right personReply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
Oo *****
What happens to the money, anyone know. Been back in Aus doing the 2 year pension thing and heading to Thailand in July. I expect my account will be history but hopefully, not my 800.000 Visa money.
Alan ******
@Oo ****
make sure your account is active ie, make small deposits occasionally. Even Thai nationals living in Australia have to do this or when they return to Thailand their account is suspended.Oo *****
Thanks, as long as I can recover the money, all will be well. See how I go in July. C u
Reply to
Oo *****
Reply
Jeremy ********
@Oo ****
don’t you check via an app or web browser?Oo *****
@Jeremy *******
Couldn't, tried to change my thai phone number to an Aus number and got locked out. Both Krungthai/ Bangkok banks did this.Alan ******
@Oo ****
yes Krungthai require you to go to a branch to do any updates/changes.Reply to
Alan ******
Reply
Makro *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Oo ****
Tht why , i dont put any money in Thai bank!Reply to
Makro *****
Reply
Colin **********
The published information is that, you need to be a have. 1. A long term visa (I assume its means 12 months), 2. Married to a Thai 3. Or own a property.
Jack ********
@Colin *********
end of the day they can and will do what they want.Jack ********
@Colin *********
published where?Jordan *****
@Jack *******
I am a client of Kbank, haven’t held a long term visa for years. As far as I am concerned, as long as the Thai government does not order them to, they have no business closing accounts that were properly opened as in their terms and conditions it does not say that I lose access to my account after my visa expires, nor does it say that I have to inform them when I get a new visaColin **********
@Jordan ****
at moment it looks like Bangkok bank have started closing accounts. But it's likely to be the tip of the iceberg. Its been in Thai news reporting since Jan 25, The bank of Thailand announced they want to fall in line with international money laundering control. Since the beginning of the month there have changes, Like: Wise and I guess other services like Wise, can only send payments to 5 or 6 bank, not the other 10 or 12 others. Also there is a limit of 500kthb on some of the reaming banks. Also if your name on your bank account doesn't match the name on your mobile supplier they will close the account, not sure if your given a grace period to fix it. Accounts with irregular transfers might be looked at and so on. And now reports that people without long term visa. Married, or house owners are being looked at.Jordan *****
@Colin *********
I had a long term visa years ago, recently changed debit card, phone number with the bank. As per their terms and conditions at Kbank my holding of an account is not tied to a long term visa. Unless they change TOS, or the government tells them to close non resident accounts (as they did in Japan this year) I have nothing to fear. What they do reserve is the right to close your account if it had been irregularly opened as it happened with many T and DTV visa holdersWilliam ***********
@Jordan ****
and some suit can decide your account looks irregular and close it. Maybe that suit decides Jordan’s picture makes him look like a putz. Putz’s are irregular enough to close an account.Jordan *****
@William **********
you look like a dorkColin **********
@Jordan ****
wish all the best buddyReply to
Colin **********
Reply
Pete *******
@Jack *******
yesterday on TASS websiteErik *******
@Jack *******
Google it dude. It’s everywhereJack ********
@Erik ******
no such credible source on this boyReply to
Jack ********
Reply
Ian *****
Not unless you a Russian tourist
Adam *********
@Ian ****
happened to me British had to go unlockMakro *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Adam ********
What visa you holding?Adam *********
@Makro ****
non o but opened the account 2 year ago on ed just had to prove my current visa and was all goodReply to
Adam *********
Reply
Koda **********
@Ian ****
Think every country soon will be doing that. In Thailand the Russian are one of the most disrespectful countries .Alan ******
@Koda *********
totally agree there, most hated, most ignorant, most arrogant, the list goes on.Koda **********
@Alan *****
100% .Reply to
Koda **********
Reply
Alexey **********
@Ian ****
Any nation if no 1 year visa or no own condo. New accounts before 1.5 year oldReply to
Alexey **********
Reply
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