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What are the experiences of expats regarding bank account freezing in Thailand when using agents versus going it alone?
bank account issuesThailand bankingexpat financevisa implicationsKYC regulationsexpat experiencesThailandaccount freezing reasons
Oct 11, 2025
7 months ago
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERJust a quick one. The people who had their bank accounts frozen, did you all use an agent to open it or have any of you opened an account without the agent & still been frozen
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the experiences of expats with bank account freezes in Thailand, questioning whether using an agent or opening an account independently affects the likelihood of being frozen. The comments highlight that both situations can lead to account issues, mainly influenced by visa status and bank policies. Many responses suggest that accounts opened with tourist or non-long-term visas are more scrutinized. Experiences vary significantly by bank, and using an agency does not necessarily mitigate the risk of account freezing.
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Phil ******
Alan. My friend Greg made this. Call the numbers.
Ling *****
I opened my account with kbank 13 years ago on my own and with a tourist visa as they allowed it back then. Recently I needed a new bank book and I asked if they needed to see my long term visa and the reply was "no need". This account has never been frozen.
THAI ******************************
This has nothing to do with an agency opening an account for you. It will not increase, or reduce the risk of your account requiring additional checks.
It is related to the bank, and your account activity triggering additional KYC.
Some banks are more sensitive than others.
This is why you have many different reports of some not having any issues with certain banks, and many others having many issues with that same bank.
It is related to the bank, and your account activity triggering additional KYC.
Some banks are more sensitive than others.
This is why you have many different reports of some not having any issues with certain banks, and many others having many issues with that same bank.
Tonua **********
@THAI *****************************
if you get a retirement visa and place the 800,000 bht into the account (with or without an agent) are you likely to have an account Frozen determined by activity? If, yes do you know what is the activity type causing this issue? Im planning to come in a retirement visa and certainly do not want to end up a frozen account. What is the suspicious activity type? Thanks!THAI ******************************
@Tonua *********
Some banks are more likely to trigger KYC checks than others.On the other hand, some banks have better systems or maintain more accurate records, so you do not have to repeat the same verification steps every time.
If you hold a one-year retirement visa, unfreezing your account is usually a simple and straightforward process.
We recommend avoiding the banks that tend to cause the most issues, and you should have a smoother experience overall.
Ian *******
@THAI *****************************
yes, but what are the account activities that are triggering the additional KYC checks?Brandon ************
@Ian ******
being a foreignerReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Dora *******
Did not haveca problem with Bangkok Bank. Arrivedcwentbto bank my account was not frozen
Stephen *****************
Closed my Bangkok bank account after second time of freezing it. Took my money and went to Krungthai who were more than happy to give me an account.....no problems thus far 👍
Mic *****
Nice gaslight, use an agent or have your accounts frozen, do you really want to live in a country that keeps trying to pick your pocket ?
Stuart ***********
@Mic ****
that's not the message. It's about having a long term visa when opening a bank account. No need to use an agent if you don't want to, but you do need to get the correct long term visa before travelling to Thailand if you plan to stay.Mic *****
@Stuart **********
right....... do you work as an "agent" ?Stuart ***********
@Mic ****
no i do not work as an agent and I don't know any agents. I applied for my own visa and have extended it 3 years since without any help from agents. It's very simple to do.Mic *****
@Stuart **********
Great! ...... your account froze?Stuart ***********
@Mic ****
nope. I have a long term visa a phone number in Thailand and own a home in Thailand, so even though I use Bkk bank my account has not been frozen.Ian *******
@Stuart **********
yes I gather a number of the frozen accounts were due to a change in phone number. I have kept the same number, but I assume it is not very hard to go into the bank and advise them of a number change.Mic *****
@Stuart **********
sooo you would say keep the number going keep over say 3000 in the account shouldn't be a problem?Stuart ***********
@Mic ****
i don't know what you are talking about, I presume 800,000 baht? I use the monthly income method, so I deposit more than 65,000 baht each month instead.Mic *****
@Stuart **********
yea your right nvm ;)Reply to
Mic *****
Reply
Roberto *********
@Mic ****
Other way aroundReply to
Roberto *********
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Glenn *******
What accounts have been frozen, the account in your home country or one in Thailand and why were they frozen. I'm trying to understand so I can avoid it. I know how and have made arrangements so it won't happen if I move to Philippines but I have not decided for sure where I will go next year, Thailand is also attractive.
Malcolm *******
The issue is your visa status . If you opened your account using a tourist visa , or DTV / Education visa ect its open for scrutiny.
Matthew *********
@Malcolm ******
so explain for thousands that are not on tourist visa. I have had proper non o retirement for last 5 years and I don't make huge purchases or transfers in or out but my acct was still frozen. The Bot also put a statement a couple weeks ago that millions had their acct balanced wiped out and accts frozen due to computer update error. The bank issue is problematic. This shit doesn't happen in a western countries on this level. They should just hire Singapore to take over the banking system. Let a world class finance country solve the problemJim *******
@Matthew ********
No shit, Sherlock?"The Bot also put a statement a couple weeks ago that millions had their acct balanced wiped out and accts frozen due to computer update error."
When was that? Where was that published?
Account balances wiped out? Impossible.
Can not believe.
Reply to
Jim *******
Reply
Incognia **********
@Malcolm ******
Education is non o visa not problemMalcolm *******
@Incognia *********
try opening one now on an education visa mate and good luck 👍Incognia **********
@Malcolm ******
Government saving bank is opening in Central Pattaya Branch they dont care where you are a student.Only student card visa and immigration residence certificateReply to
Incognia **********
Reply
James *******
@Malcolm ******
it's etc.not ectJo **********
@Malcolm ******
no liarMalcolm *******
@Jo *********
dickheadJo **********
@Malcolm ******
oh it’s not visa status many people with legitimate retirement visas had their account frozen. It’s a bangkok bank problem. Luckily I don’t have that problem.Malcolm *******
@Jo *********
in a few cases yes , but many in other banks have due to their visa status , that's a fact and calling me a liar is totally disrespectful.Jo **********
@Malcolm ******
oh don’t take it so heavily but it’s not true what you posted. it’s mainly legitimate people and it’s a problem of Bangkok Bank.Reply to
Jo **********
Reply
Kieran *******
Th issues seem to be either using an agent for the funds or being on a tourist visa/exemption when it was opened
Matthew *********
@Kieran ******
the banks don't put some kind of asterisk next to your name for using an agent. They have no idea once your walk out the door.Kieran *******
So, as I said the issue is being on a tourist visa
Denny *******
@Kieran ******
only if it gets blockedRoberto *********
@Denny ******
Which if you're still on a tourist visa it will eventuallyDenny *******
@Roberto ********
they don’t know who is or is not on a tourist visa currentlyRoberto *********
@Denny ******
They know what visa they were on when the account was opened, so will assume they are on the same visa. If it's tourist, the account is frozen pending closureReply to
Roberto *********
Reply
THAI ******************************
@Kieran ******
This has nothing to do with it.But if you do not currently have a long term visa you will not be able to maintain the account, and they will require you to close it.
Steve ***************
@Kieran ******
or neither of the above. I opened the bank account myself, self funded the 800k and have Non O one year extension of stay and still got one of my accounts frozen. Hint, not the yellow bank!Kieran *******
Steve ***************
@Kieran ******
sadly, far from it. How do I know? From the long hours spent in the bank getting my account unfrozen. Expats talk to each other!Reply to
Steve ***************
Reply
Eric **********
It’s been both.. I used the agency who runs this thread and never got frozen
Colin **********
@Eric *********
how do you know it would not be frozen? What did the agent do?Bob **********
@Colin *********
it depends on what visa your onColin **********
@Bob *********
KYC takes a few inpoints. Its intended to verify you say who you are, there are some standard requirements like non tourist visa, correct name matching of your app phone company and bank account and in most cases face to face verification.Niel *************
@Colin *********
i opened account with all the above used the account regularly to provide support for family Went and provided all the verification as requested and more yet they still haven’t unfrozen account
I will withdraw funds and close account next month 🤷♂️
Reply to
Niel *************
Reply
THAI ******************************
@Colin *********
This has nothing to do with an agency open an account for you.It is related to the bank, and your account activity triggering additional KYC. Some banks are more sensitive than others.
Eric **********
@Colin *********
my account has never been frozenReply to
Eric **********
Reply
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