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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 Issues Visa Status Thailand Banking Regulations Expats in Thailand KYC (Know Your Customer)Agent vs. Self-Opened Accounts Non-O Visa Tourist Visa Banking for Expats

Oct 11, 2025

a day ago

Alan *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just 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

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses concerns among expats regarding the freezing of bank accounts in Thailand, particularly whether using an agent to open an account affects this risk. Participants share their experiences: some report no issues after using agents, while others suggest that account freezes are more related to visa status, especially when accounts are opened on a tourist visa or with non-regular visa types. There is a consensus that certain banks have stricter policies, leading to varied experiences among account holders.

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Phil ******

Alan. My friend Greg made this. Call the numbers.

20 hours ago

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.

20 hours ago

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.

20 hours ago

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!

16 hours ago

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.

7 hours ago

Reply to

THAI ******************************

Dora *******

Did not haveca problem with Bangkok Bank. Arrivedcwentbto bank my account was not frozen

20 hours ago

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 👍

21 hours ago

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 ?

21 hours ago

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.

18 hours ago

Mic *****

@Stuart **********

right....... do you work as an "agent" ?

18 hours ago

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.

18 hours ago

Mic *****

@Stuart **********

Great! ...... your account froze?

18 hours ago

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.

18 hours ago

Mic *****

@Stuart **********

sooo you would say keep the number going keep over say 3000 in the account shouldn't be a problem?

17 hours ago

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.

17 hours ago

Mic *****

@Stuart **********

yea your right nvm ;)

17 hours ago

Reply to

Mic *****

Roberto *********

@Mic ****

Other way around

18 hours ago

Reply to

Roberto *********

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.

21 hours ago

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.

a day ago

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 problem

5 hours ago

Incognia **********

@Malcolm ******

Education is non o visa not problem

James *******

it's etc.not ect

Jo **********

no liar

Malcolm *******

dickhead

Jo **********

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.

8 hours ago

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.

8 hours ago

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.

8 hours ago

Reply to

Jo **********

Kieran *******

Th issues seem to be either using an agent for the funds or being on a tourist visa/exemption when it was opened

a day ago

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.

5 hours ago

Kieran *******

So, as I said the issue is being on a tourist visa

20 hours ago

Denny *******

@Kieran ******

only if it gets blocked

19 hours ago

Roberto *********

@Denny ******

Which if you're still on a tourist visa it will eventually

19 hours ago

Denny *******

@Roberto ********

they don’t know who is or is not on a tourist visa currently

17 hours ago

Roberto *********

@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 closure

10 hours ago

Reply to

Roberto *********

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.

20 hours ago

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!

21 hours ago

Kieran *******

@Steve **************

rare

21 hours ago

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!

19 hours ago

Reply to

Steve ***************

Eric **********

It’s been both.. I used the agency who runs this thread and never got frozen

a day ago

Colin **********

@Eric *********

how do you know it would not be frozen? What did the agent do?

a day ago

Bob **********

@Colin *********

it depends on what visa your on

19 hours ago

Colin **********

@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.

15 hours ago

Reply to

Colin **********

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.

a day ago

Eric **********

@Colin *********

my account has never been frozen

a day ago

Reply to

Eric **********

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