This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the implications of recent changes in Wise to Bangkok Bank transfers for NON-O retirement extension?

Sep 5, 2025
5 days ago
Sean **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Recent change in Wise to Bangkok Bank ‘International Funds Transfer’ tagging.

Prior to this month transfers Wise to Bangkok Bank took 3-5 days but where tagged correctly as ‘International Funds Transfer’. However this month the same transfer occured in seconds and appears to have been routed through Kbank and then received at Bangkok Bank as a local bank to bank transfer.

Note: the Wise process did not stop to ask the reason for transfer which I previously tagged as ‘funds for long term stay in Thailand’

I am on the NON-O retirement extension based on 65,000 thb monthly. I am concerned that Bangkok bank will not be able to provide a document for the next extension identifying 12 monthly international funds transfers.

Note: I will print a receipt from Wise each month and save. Remains to be seen how this new change will play out.
2,863
views
10
likes
81
all likes
35
replies
2
images
19
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent changes in Wise's transfer process to Bangkok Bank have raised concerns among expats regarding the documentation required for the NON-O retirement visa extension. The moves from an international funds transfer system to a local bank-to-bank transfer may complicate proving regular monthly income. Users in the discussion suggest maintaining thorough records, such as bank statements and receipts, and considering the use of alternative banks like KBank for smoother transactions. The overall sentiment reflects caution but also adaptability to the changing banking landscape.
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.
Michael *******
I managed this processs allbeit about 6 years ago when I transitioned from Bangkok Bank (joint account) with my wife , to two individual accounts with SCB - come renewal time of our respective retirement visas I provided letters and statements from both banks which dovetailed and immig in Phuket were happy with it.No logical reason why they shouldn’t accept it other than an officer on a bad hair day but who knows……
Philip ***************
And when transferring to Bangkok bank from Wise They always use kbank as an intermediary bank, Have done for the last four years since I joined them
Paul ********
Well, if this is true, it might create some turbulence in the "chain of custody/tagging" process, but it's good news in the "transfer convenience/competitiveness" department.

Thanks for the info.

Bangkok Bank is definitely going through a rough patch right now.

Their "stolid silence" approach to information sharing creates an impression that they are purposely lacking transparency and candor about their status, communications, and processes.

Given the cultural differences and their large number of western customers, it's not clear to me if this is intentional or just an unfortunate misunderstanding of western expectations of behavior of banks and financial institutions.

They really should consider hiring a western crisis/reputation management firm to help them improve their image and avoid mistakes that unnecessarily cause customer mistrust and triggering.
Frank *****
@Paul *******
I don't think they care for farang at all, we're an annoyance to many Thais. I'm saying this as I'm sitting in a cab from airport. First, driver said 650 baht. I live here. I said meter. Then he took the worst route, sticking us in the one lane on sukhumvit. Never again will I take taxi from airport. Just fuming, and biting my young too, because the very last thing you want to do is offend a Thai person.
Wannikea *********
Can we please stop beating this to death. If the transfer is showing up with a weird coding you have a couple of choices you can get the FET, or simply prove the transfer from your international Bank to the local bank the same amount the same day the same time, most immigration officers will accept that the money came from abroad if you can supply a paper trail.
Roberto *********
@Wannikea ********
Because people love to over-dramatise!
Frank **********
Same here except the dropdown menu for "Funds for Thailand" was still there but it still was not coded that way.
Jim ***********
Bruce ********
Can someone advise on changing bank accounts and transferring the 800k and if this interruption in banks will bring about a 32 teeth suck from immigration. For instance, I am into month five on current one year extension and want to transfer monies to K-bank from BB bank. I would assume that a safe way would be to transfer the day of my next successful year extension. Just thinking for now.
Chris ************
@Bruce *******
good question
Tony *********
@Bruce *******
- I also need to do this to get away from Bangkok Bank.

Currently waiting for the 3 months to end.

I'm confused about the keeping minimum in the bank, I'm on marriage and this year did it based on 400 K but next year as far as I am aware I just need to show 12 x 40 k.

I might go to Immigration to double check but that's my understanding.
Peter ****************
@Bruce *******
What I have read as a tip in another group, is to transfer 400k฿ to the new bank account first and keep a bit more than 400k฿ on the current account (Which 3 months after getting the year extension, is the minimum to keep). Then, a bit more than 2 months before the next year extension, put the next 400k฿ to the new bank account, so it's 800k฿ on te new account 2 months before for the new year extension.
Bruce ********
@Peter ***************
great, thanks!
Roberto *********
@Bruce *******
Why change banks mid-stream when you know it could cause immigration problems?
Stuart ***********
@Roberto ********
I think a lot of people are considering this option Roberto to get away from Bangkok Bank.
Bruce ********
In all honesty, for the 14 years I've been here, I have never had an issue with BB. I have dealt with the same branch, and it's like the old corner mom and pops, so perhaps that has something to do with it. I'm just thinking out loud about moving, but I can't really see one as being better than another in the overall scheme of things. TIT: improvise, adapt, and overcome!
Roberto *********
@Stuart **********
Interesting. I'm certainly not, but I set my account up totally correctly, have never used an agent, never used the dodgy 800k method, and when summoned months ago for facial recognition scans I attended without fail. If you actually believe that other banks won't be auditing their accounts in the future, that's good for you! However, this is a worldwide shake-up and a lot of misinformed expats actually believe it's only Bangkok Bank!
Marty *********
@Roberto ********
What is dodgy about the 800,000฿ deposit method? Put the money in and leave it there.
Stuart ***********
@Roberto ********
Likewise, I haven't had any problems with Bkk Bank, I was simply answering your question. I must admit I haven't been hauled in for facial recognition yet, but it's no problem if they ask me to go there in person as I am only a 10 minute drive away.
Bruce ********
@Roberto ********
I did all this over the years as well. Like I said, no problems with BB, just looking around.
Stuart ***********
@Bruce *******
No. I think the best way to do it is in the middle of your extension period (now in your case) and transfer 400,000 baht in 2 transactions, a couple of days apart. This ensures that you have the minimum amount of 400,000 in both accounts at all times.
Bruce ********
Thanks, makes sense to me.
Peter ****************
Well, I only looked at it now, and indeed in the app it says 'DEP TRF FR E-CH'. I also have the 'browser link' and also there it's different as you see on my picture 🤷‍♂️.

Also a strang thing happened with me last 28th of august. Had no problems for the last 7 years and this time a message from Wise came back:

'The name we had for your recipient THB account appears to be wrong. Because of that, your money was sent back to us.

Tried again but same result. To make a long story short: I removed the recipent (which was the bank account from the Bangkok bank of myself) and added it again with my name without last name. Then it went through very quick indeed as if I had chosen 'other' as a reason.

It seems, with all the 'Bangkok bank troubles' I read, that they are working/changing their software/interfaces.

Lets see what happens next month.
Gerald ********
@Peter ***************
I have the last 3 transfers to Bangkok bank be rejected but other banks went straight through.
Peter ****************
@Gerald *******
If it still not works (and the account is not blocked/suspended or so) try to delete the bangkok recipent in Wise an add it again with same name as on the bank book or also one time without last name 🤷‍♂️. I also did 3 times 'trial and error' before it worked. I my case I only tested it with 100€ (Dutch).
Gerald ********
@Peter ***************
Ok will try later I send the money to my other bank
Peter ****************
@Gerald *******
Yep. Also no problems with my Kasikorn account.
Mark *******
I have been down this road many times and ppreviously i just took my bkk bankbook to a kbank international desk and pull ecerything up. Even if yoir not renewing yet you can go check it out. Now i just use kbank for wise so much less hassle
Tony *********
@Mark ******
- I note you use Wise to transfer to K Bank and assume it's showing as international transfer. Did you have to do anything special like tag it or anything at the K Bank end?

I'm currently with Bangkok Bank and have recently opened a K Bank account and want to change over to them, but Wise say you need to get a letter so I'm interested in what you have done?

Many thanks 👍🏼
Mark *******
@Tony ********
i dont know if i jad to tag it as intl xfr but i did when i switched to only using kbank. Come visa time i walk out of the intl branch with all the docs i need in 30 and thats been the case the last 5 yrs. Before bkk bank was the landing bank for intl xfrs so it made sense to get the statements there but evwn then bkk bank has a problem issuing a 1 yr statement and neednti wait. Crazy this is 2025. Kbank 30 mins in and out, complete. I do confirm in the app that the xfrs have been recorded intl from wise so i have time to fix it long in advance of visa time
Sean **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ******
thanks 🙏 good feedback
Giovanni **********
@Mark ******
indeed it is👍
John **********
Maybe one option could be to bring bank book/statement along with a statement from WISE to immigration to confirm it's international.
Scott *******
@John *********
I did that as well as the letter and all the documents from the bank. Around 25 sheets of A4 paper 🙈
John **********
@Scott ******
Let us know how that went.

Thx
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else