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What are the challenges expats face with Bangkok Bank regarding account access and management?

Bangkok Bank Krungthai Bank DTV Visa Foreign accounts in Thailand Banking issues for expats Account freezing Transferring funds in Thailand Visa types Expatriate banking experiences

Aug 22, 2025

2 months ago

Chris ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

*Edited

With the challenges at B of B I decided to open a new account elsewhere.  As much as I support battling fraud I don’t believe the bank’s approach is of sound mind or ….. I walked into Krungthai with my lease, passport and tm.  30 minutes later I have a new bank card and an account.  What was even nicer was when I transferred funds from wise they arrived in 10 seconds.  The other bank was anywhere from a day to days.  Nothing is perfect in life and I have to deal with the 50k per day maximum tranfer until this updates. The bank was at a loss for why B of B is operating this way.  My account is still locked and once I get to the bank in a few weeks I will happily close this and never use them again.

•••• they currently have an issue and the maxium transfer is under 1000b *

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Many expats are experiencing issues with Bangkok Bank, particularly regarding account freezing and transfer limitations. Users report frustrations with account management, including unexpected closures linked to visa types, specifically the DTV visa. In contrast, Krungthai Bank has provided efficient service and quick fund transfers, leading some to switch banks. The general sentiment reflects dissatisfaction with Bangkok Bank's current practices and encourages others to consider alternative banking options.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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Martyn ***********

I've got to agree.. TTB are doing the same checks, but they send a message to call in the branch before the 9th of September.. Not just freeze your account! This with their own immigration rules for your own money, is the end of me and Bangkok Bank.

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Stephen *****************

Bangkok Bank called me the other day and told me to come to local branch. Went there, told me my account had to be closed because of DTV visa. Closed account, took my 500,000+thb, passport & certificate of residency across the road to Krungthai Bank. 30mins later , new account & card. Bangkok Bank is royally screwing itself over by doing all these closures!

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Chris ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephen ****************

just curious. Did you actually walk out with 500 x 1000 baht notes.

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Stephen *****************

@Chris ***********

yup...in a big brown envelope

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Stephen *****************

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Sean **********

@Stephen ****************

not as much as we think. Thai banks really don’t make much on foreigner customers. Basically No loans or mortgages, no credit cards interest, foreigners not qualify to buy many of the insurance products, etc. etc.

The customer Service Representatives don’t want to spend time helping us because they cannot make any commission and the pressure to make quota does not change due to dedicating time to foreigners

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Stephen *****************

@Sean *********

I can totally see your point and agree.....but surely 10s of thousands of Farang taking their money elsewhere must put a small dent in the banks coffers??

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Sean **********

@Stephen ****************

*****

yes, less cash to loan out to Thai citizens at outrageous interest rates.

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Sean **********

@Richard *******

i was joking please refer to the

*****

before my comment

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Sean **********

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Paul *********

@Stephen ****************

Thanks

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Stephen *****************

@Stefan *******

soft power

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Paul *********

@Stephen ****************

What visa do you have?

That you opened a new account with?

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Stephen *****************

DTV soft power. Just needed passport and certificate of residency which immigration provide

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Stephen *****************

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Yadana ******

@Stephen ****************

Krungthai bank allows dtv users to open accounts? Which branch if I may ask?

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Stephen *****************

Trat

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Stephen *****************

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James ******

I can see why they do it because so many cheat on the money in the bank but they really should give you one month to fix it

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Jay *******

no one is complaining about them combating fraud, that's a good thing. But you don't do that by treating everyone like a criminal so you get the bad guys too. Very very lazy not well thought out action by BB.

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James ******

how else are they going to do it to find out if your paperwork is updated. I should be OK but if they ask me to come and prove it it's better I have security on my account good night. My only beef is doing it on day one, they should give us a month.

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Jay *******

no problem with going in and showing paperwork again. Freezing everyone's account without warning was a brainless decision. Losing many customers and hurting the banks reputation. Not the way you treat your customers.

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Jay *******

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David **********

Even the employees of B Of B don't know what's going on. I visited three locations before someone finally told me about the make transfers in the amount of 49,999 baht per transaction. They couldn't explain why?

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Hector **********

I Have some problem, BKK bank frozen account, no access to my assets, on DTV so account will closed down, have to go pattaya to verify identity and get my money and close account

I tried opening account with Krungthai before but they won’t accept DTV visa as an eligible visa for opening an account

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Jordan *****

I speculated that the bank was very poorly managed when they began freezing the accounts of many foreigners who opened accounts legally and did not violate T&C’s.

My opinion was reinforced when I noticed how Kbank has not given me any trouble.

This last round of abusive freezing of accounts is the cherry on top and it discredits the bank completely in the eyes of expats and I bet all their competition are laughing their asses off.

Nonetheless I noticed how some attempted to shill for the bank. They probably don’t understand how if feels to have your funds suddenly frozen for no reason, especially when you have to make monthly payments for rent, school, utilities with the money in that account

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Sean **********

k-bank has now limited my transfers & promptpay to a combined total of 50k per day. 3 visits with passport for photos and no change.

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Philip *******

yes it wasn't the best finding out i cant access my money till I get to bank with required documents which they already have, since June. I'm laying in hospital rent now in arrears as is water and electric won't be out of hospital for about a week after surgery tomorrow. I spoke to my branch and there is no exception. So I'll be banking with another bank before I get to BB

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David *********

Fck bkk bank same phone no registered to me 13 years updated passport no 3 years ago froze my acc but they wanted there little paper from ais confirmation sim registered to me 120 kilometres drive to ais 3 hours in bank 24 hours to unlock acc closed acc then straight over to k bank new acc set up under an hour transfer wise aud to thai bank 5 seconds goodbye bkk bank

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Martyn ***********

I always got the impression that they regarded having account there a privilege somehow? Like they was doing you a favour??

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Martyn ***********

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Xìngfú ******

Are you on DTV visum?

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Chris ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Xìngfú *****

non O. I overheard them saying, long term visa, education and work permit. No account for dtv.

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Xìngfú ******

@Chris ***********

Thanks

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Xìngfú ******

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Robert **************

I plan to do the same

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Deanna *******

Are you referring to Bangkok Bank? Not familiar with B of B.

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Phil ********

Yes it's code for that as the OP obviously understands defamation laws here.

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Jay *******

yes, that's what he is talking about.

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Deanna *******

Thanks!

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Reply to

Deanna *******

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Jay *******

You and many others

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Jay *******

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