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What are the implications of a closed bank account in Thailand due to SIM registration issues?

Aug 23, 2025
8 months ago
So, I have news about the closed Thai bank account situation. My account, like many others, was closed because the SIM card wasn't in my name. I registered my SIM card in my name with AIS today. That wasn't a problem. Then I went to Bangkok Bank. The lady told me I was very lucky because my account was opened before 2023. All accounts created after that, i.e., 2024, were "unlucky," according to her; she can't do anything in those cases. I also asked if I could switch to a DTV visa. She told me that in that case, the account would also have to be closed. So, the only option would be an ed visa/non-o. It's a shame that Thailand now has friends at the WEF. There's no other way to explain this.

People making jokes about my „wef“ line. Would be nice if you guys type in google „wef Bangkok bank“ and explain me this:

Yes, Bangkok Bank is invited to the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of Thailand's private sector members and a global company member. The WEF invites members to participate in its meetings, where Bangkok Bank has been represented and is a supporter of the Thai private sector's engagement at the global event.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their experience regarding bank account closures in Thailand linked to SIM card registration issues, mentioning that their account opened before 2023 remains active whereas newer accounts face stricter rules. The conversation involves questions about switching visa types, specifically to a DTV visa, and the implications of banking policies possibly influenced by the World Economic Forum.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Travis ********
Account closure reasons: "UNLUCKY account" 😂
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Paul ********
I opened my BKK bank account a few years ago when I was on a non-o retirement visa. Switched to the DTV last July. Last December my BKK bank card expired. Went into my branch, showed them my passport which they photocopied, including a few entry stamps saying "DTV". They had to send everything to head office and a week later I went back and picked up my new debit card. No issues at all being on a DTV in my scenario.
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Dan *********
Why are people opening accounts with other people’s SIM cards lol
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Jef ********
@Dan ********
they aren’t, what happens is a lot of the w⚓️ want to save 20 baht so instead of getting a SIM card at the airport and registering there passports , they buy them at
****
over the counter and don’t register them.
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Jef ********
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Benjamin *********
Also if you own a condo it’s ok
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Dana **********
@Benjamin ********
they closed mine and I own a house
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Benjamin *********
@Dana *********
freehold condo only
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Dana **********
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Benjamin *********
@Dana *********
I don’t work in a Thai bank sorry 😁
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Dana **********
@Benjamin ********
but how do you know if it’s only freehold
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Benjamin *********
@Dana *********
writed everywhere
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Benjamin *********
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Jef ********
@Dana *********
in the last week ?
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Dana **********
@Jef *******
month ago
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Jef ********
@Dana *********
yeah right , they re opened mine last week with marriage cert. and I op ended a Kasilorn also.

I would have thought they would have accepted a chanote
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Jef ********
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Mark *********
why do people want a thai bank so badly, like i just use true money and my uk bank, never had an issue
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Stephen ********
@Mark ********
charges,, its all bank charges through overseas banks, usually with lower exchanges rates aswell. A Thai bank is very convenient if you spend a fair bit of time there.
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Sander **********
@Stephen *******
fair enough. Im not using the mrt so I will simply connect all bills to my creditcards..
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Jef ********
@Stephen *******
paying bills , electricity , insurance, water , top up MRT cards , m pass toll top ups .

And generally making you feel apart of the community( is why I have it )
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Sander **********
@Jef *******
can’t you just use Wise or revolut to pay those bills?
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Jef ********
@Sander *********
mrt card need local bank to top up.

Electricity you can pay by Lazada with a credit card.

M pass is local bank only

Water for me is a bank transfer has to be a local bank cause it’s a bill. And if I’m not home when the bill comes it can get cut off.

But yeah your right you can 100% manage with out it but it’s a hell of a lot easier with one.

Save a lot of fees having an account,

To be honest I guess it depends on how far in bedded into Thailand, I have a car, motor bike., wife . Rent a condo ( had all this before i got my DTV) but obviously the DTV was a no brainer 5 years , 180 day stamps pretty good option
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Jef ********
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Andrew *********
It's more to do with what's been happening within the bank and politics.
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Andrew *******
@Andrew ********
I don’t understand the apparent vendetta with the dtv
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Jef ********
@Andrew ******
I’m gonna say it’s the fact that it rivals the elite visa both 5 years one is a 10th of the cost of the other.

I’d bet my left and right nuts that it’s because they would have seen a decline in elite visa sales in the past 12 months since the DTV had been available.

And yes Taksin has his finger in the elite visa pie to
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Andrew *********
@Andrew ******
A 5 year visa for a hospital appointment or cooking course introduced by the opposition while the powers that be aren't in power ? Those powers who have cracked down on digital nomads border running for years.
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Andrew *********
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Anonymous ******************
Make no sense
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 676 Especially the WEF line
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
well type in google „especially“ 🤣🤣🤣wef Bangkok bank . Explain me what you see. 🐑🐑🐑
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant No need to type it in, does not justify your statement.
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Andi ***********
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Peter ********
Dude what does the world economic forum has to do with it.
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Anonymous ******************
@Peter *******
nothing, he's just a low IQ person
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Greg ********
@Peter *******
Next they will be burning the 5G Towers :-)
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Greg ********
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Andrew *********
What visa are you on ?
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ********
no visas. I planned to go on dtv but I changed my plan to edv / marriage.
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Anonymous *************
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Greg ********
The WEF. 5555555555555
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*****
*****
555
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
yeah 555 Yes, Bangkok Bank is a member organization of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and participates in its various initiatives and meetings. The WEF's "Banking and Capital Markets" community includes Bangkok Bank, reflecting its role as a significant player in the global financial landscape.

Details of the Membership

Community Membership:

Bangkok Bank is listed as a member within the World Economic Forum's Banking and Capital Markets community.

Participation:

As a member, Bangkok Bank's representatives, such as their CEO, are invited to participate in WEF meetings and discussions on global, regional, and industry agendas.

Other Thai Members:

Other leading Thai companies, including PTT, Kasikornbank, and Siam Cement, are also members of the World Economic Forum
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Anonymous ******************
Yeah Pheu Thai has ties to the World Economic Forum.

They are not very popular at the moment. Failed election promises (digital wallet), the leaked phone call, and Thaksin.
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Greg ********
Are you positing the WEF has ordered the Bank of Thailand to make these banking changes to their regulations and guidance?
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Andi ***********
@Greg *******
seems like it.. 😧
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Greg ********
@Andi **********
You would think they could get it correct and blame the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS)

Thailand has joined the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum) under the OECD. This move aims to enhance transparency in international tax administration and prevent tax evasion or avoidance
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Andi ***********
@Greg *******
You are right. it is probably the 🍺 talking..
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Callum *******
@Andi **********
have you met the flat earthers yet? Or the individuals policing the comments threatening to report people to immigration for not doing their 90 day report 🤣🤣🤣👌👌👌 this page is comedy gold sometimes tbh
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Andi ***********
@Callum ******
Threatening to report 90-day non reporters??? that is a new classic
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Greg ********
@Andi **********
Even sober many of these people are paid up members of the TIN Foil Hat Society of Conspiracy Theories. The 5g is triggering the nanotechnology delivered in the Covid injections.
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Greg ********
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