Answered9 months ago
What are the new Bangkok Bank policies regarding fund certification for marriage visa extensions in Thailand?
A word of warning regarding the certification of required funds being issued by Bangkok Bank for visa purposes:
Today, 22JAN2026, I went to their Hang Dong office (Chiang Mai) to get certification that I've had 400k THB in my account for 2 months (per immigration requirements for a 1-year extension based on marriage). I've been through this process with BKK Bank the previous two times I extended my visa based on marriage, so it's not new to me.
After a longer than normal wait the bank rep returned and said that Bangkok Bank now requires that the funds are in an account with them for at least 4 months prior to issuing a certification. (This must be a relatively new rule for them implemented within the last year, because this definitely wasn't the case as of 14FEB2025.)
The alternative is they can offer a certificate that funds have been in the account for 2 months, but the money in the account then must remain untouched for 4 four months after the certification is issued.
Luckily, I went in earlier than normal to extend my visa this year. I also deposited the 400k THB in Oct 2025. The money will have been in my BKK Bank account for 4 months by early Feb (still enough time to apply before my current stamp expires). Aside from wasted time, it won’t affect me.
I’m not sure if this is a policy being implemented by other banks in Thailand, but it definitely caught me by surprise. Thought it might be helpful to others that may not know the new rule with Bangkok Bank.
Today, 22JAN2026, I went to their Hang Dong office (Chiang Mai) to get certification that I've had 400k THB in my account for 2 months (per immigration requirements for a 1-year extension based on marriage). I've been through this process with BKK Bank the previous two times I extended my visa based on marriage, so it's not new to me.
After a longer than normal wait the bank rep returned and said that Bangkok Bank now requires that the funds are in an account with them for at least 4 months prior to issuing a certification. (This must be a relatively new rule for them implemented within the last year, because this definitely wasn't the case as of 14FEB2025.)
The alternative is they can offer a certificate that funds have been in the account for 2 months, but the money in the account then must remain untouched for 4 four months after the certification is issued.
Luckily, I went in earlier than normal to extend my visa this year. I also deposited the 400k THB in Oct 2025. The money will have been in my BKK Bank account for 4 months by early Feb (still enough time to apply before my current stamp expires). Aside from wasted time, it won’t affect me.
I’m not sure if this is a policy being implemented by other banks in Thailand, but it definitely caught me by surprise. Thought it might be helpful to others that may not know the new rule with Bangkok Bank.
Answer summary
A user shared an experience with Bangkok Bank regarding new certification requirements for visa applications. As of January 2026, the bank mandates that funds must be in an account for at least four months before certification for immigration purposes, a rule implemented after a prior process that allowed certification after two months. This policy has reportedly caused frustrations among expats, with many expressing concerns about potential impacts on their visa status and considering switching banks due to these changes.
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Bill *******
Time to vote with your feet I think!
Jo **********
this appears to make no sense and is corrupted. Immigration requires the funds be there for 2 months. Immigration is asking that Bangkok Bank certify those. They don’t so they are non compliant
David *********
Fck bkk bank close acc go 2 k bank
Jay ****
Been that way for a bit with them. Everyone has been closing accounts and going elsewhere without issues. Been to the branch in HH many times and never saw more than 1 or 2 locals only there. Screw BB.
Sam *********
When Bangkok bank finally unfroze my account last year I pulled every cent I had and switched banks. They are an absolute shit show.
Ian *********
It’s been documented quite a few times on here but seems to be only Bangkok bank I believe.
Ron ********
Ian Murdoch The thing is though, if the government allowed Bangkok Bank to pull that sh*t, then any bank can pull the same crap in the future should they chose.
Ian *********
Ron Cooper It’s Thailand they flip flop about everything. They don’t really want you living here. They want you to come on holiday spend a lot of money and go home.
Yo***
Ian Murdoch agreed. But is there any other country that do not want foreigners to live in their country? They all want foreign tourists to come and spend a lot of money and go home. 🤣
Martyn ***********
I don't understand how Bangkok Bank can decide on your visa? They aren't immigration... They should do what they are asked to do...
Bryan *********
OPMartyn Rollinson Bangkok Bank's new policy actually has nothing to do with immigration. It's just their own rule of confidence to provide a proof of funds letter for use at immigration. Immigration's rule is still that 400k THB needs to be in a Thai bank account for 2 months (in the case of a 1-year ext based on marriage).
Jo **********
Bryan Gregory this appears to make no sense and is corrupted. Immigration requires the funds be there for 2 months. Immigration is asking that Bangkok Bank certify this. They don’t so they are non compliant
Bryan *********
OPJo Clemente Like I said above- not disagreeing
Martyn ***********
Bryan Gregory Bangkok bank shouldn't be making decisions on your money and your visa! 400k in the bank for 2 months, they should just give a letter.. They shouldn't be deciding if you get the letter or ultimately a visa... It isn't their decision!
Yo***
Martyn Rollinson totally agreed. The bank has no right to do that. But in practice, in many countries, there is a kind of rules like bangkok bank does. deposit an amount and no touch of it as long as a foreigner has visa. This kind of things are usual in many countries for expats.
Bryan *********
OPMartyn Rollinson Not disagreeing
Andrew ********
I have heard this same story with Bangkok bank by so many people
Question have you tried doing it with monthly income deposits instead of the savings ? Just curious everyone seems to do the savings route
Question have you tried doing it with monthly income deposits instead of the savings ? Just curious everyone seems to do the savings route
Nick ************
I got my stamp today using monthly transfers and did not need anything from Bangkok bank where the transfers are deposited. No funds could be frozen because there are very few in the account.
Bryan *********
OPNick Cartwright What visa did you apply for/ receive?
Bryan *********
OPAndrew Romine Mine was for a 1-year ext base on marriage. Don't think the monthly deposits are valid for that kind of extension. I could be wrong though.
Ivan ************
Bryan Gregory you can do income for marriage, 40k/month I think. You may need your embassy to certify this though, many don't, some still do though.
Allan **************
I renewed my marriage extension middle of December got the letter and statements from Bangkok Bank nothing has changed at my branch. So mast just be some branches.
Yo***
Allan Corg Morris I think your money is already in the account for long time. That is why nothing changed to you.
Allan **************
Young .Yes stays in the account all the time but I use that account all the time as well but never go below 500,000. So maybe that's why I didn't ask.
Bryan *********
OPAllan Corg Morris I'm not sure when BKK Bank implemented the rule. Maybe 01JAN2026? For sure it wasn't the case early last year when got the cert from them. Like you said- might be branch specific too. Thanks.
Alex ************
Yup, this exact situation absolutely fucked me a few months ago. 3 months later, my accounts are still frozen.
I will be draining my account and switching banks after this
I will be draining my account and switching banks after this
Ron ********
Alex Strandlien I guess I should feel lucky. It "only" took me six weeks!! The rats!
Bryan *********
OPAlex Strandlien Sorry to hear that. Like I said I got lucky. I feel your frustration though. I think your plan is well justified!
Mick *****
400,000 Baht is bugger all, your best bet is to just put it in the account and leave it there. Yes Thai interest is crap but at least it's there when you need it and you don't have to go through all this crap about how long it's been there.
Peter **********
You seem to wilfully misunderstand what the £10 k was for ?
His plan was for the money to be used for just those costs ,Funeral and any final medical bills not covered by his health insurance
Also to fund his daughter’s flight and accommodation in Thailand while she sorted out his affairs , such as any rent or Utility bills he may have owed
I have the same plan but both my daughter and my Thai Wife can use my Thai Bank Debit card to access my funds in an emergency
They also have access to my UK bank account and savings
I see you have done a similar thing
Surprise Surprise
Mick Lor
His plan was for the money to be used for just those costs ,Funeral and any final medical bills not covered by his health insurance
Also to fund his daughter’s flight and accommodation in Thailand while she sorted out his affairs , such as any rent or Utility bills he may have owed
I have the same plan but both my daughter and my Thai Wife can use my Thai Bank Debit card to access my funds in an emergency
They also have access to my UK bank account and savings
I see you have done a similar thing
Surprise Surprise
Mick Lor
Peter **********
You are talking rubbish
She could not access his bank account
So she had to fund his last illness and Funeral costs herself
It didn’t cost the Thai people a single baht
She even visited the bank with all the relevant paper work and a representative from The British Embassy when she was in Thailand for her Fathers Funeral
But no joy Mick Lor
She could not access his bank account
So she had to fund his last illness and Funeral costs herself
It didn’t cost the Thai people a single baht
She even visited the bank with all the relevant paper work and a representative from The British Embassy when she was in Thailand for her Fathers Funeral
But no joy Mick Lor
Mick *****
You're saying he was ill and then passed in a foreign country with no plan and no financial provision for someone to handle his care or his funeral. All you are doing is confirming exactly what I said. If you don't have enough funds including enough for an emergency you probably cannot afford to live in a foreign country. Both my wife and eldest daughter have immediate access to over 25 million Baht in funds held in an Australian Bank account in case of emergency, it's called having a plan B and trusting your family and if your in a foreign country essential.
Peter **********
So £10,,000 is bugger all ?
A friend of mine passed away in Thailand
It took his Daughter
They gave a shit exchange rate and charged her a Transfer Fee
Mick Lor
A friend of mine passed away in Thailand
It took his Daughter
****
years to get the money paid back to UK They gave a shit exchange rate and charged her a Transfer Fee
Mick Lor
Mick *****
Yes Peter in the grand scheme it is bugger all. If you cannot maintain a minimum bank balance which is a requirement to support your visa how do you afford health care , rent, food, etc. The money in the bank is supposed to be proof the Thai people will not have to support you in an emergency, if 10K is going to break you, then perhaps you should not live in a foreign country.
Frank **********
Obviously Bangkok Bank is trying to eliminate the use of Agents.
Benjamin *******
Frank Shevchuk the Visa requirements are from immigration not from the bank so why is the bank putting on these extra requirements when it has nothing to do with them !!!!! Dorks !!!!!
Brandon ************
@Frank *********
They are not. They are just putting on a show so they don't get punished. There is nothing in the Bangkok Bank system that automatically locks funds by generating a bank letter. The bank letter is a form letter that someone has to type up. Then they manually freeze the funds. There are plenty of agents still getting these letters without any issues at all, because it's just a bank policy. The ONLY people this is affecting are the people trying to do it themselves. It's not doing anything to agents, who are still business as usual except in Pattaya because there is extra scrutiny going on there. So like I said, this is all a dog and pony show trying to pretend like they are cracking down, when they are just throwing up roadblocks for normal people. Best to get away from Bangkok Bank and run far away.
Brandon ************
You must not spend much time online as this has been widely reported.
It's all Bangkok Bank branches, and it started a few months ago after the big scandal at a branch in Pattaya.
It's all Bangkok Bank branches, and it started a few months ago after the big scandal at a branch in Pattaya.
Bryan *********
OP@Brandon ***********
Must notBrandon ************
@Bryan ********
Recommend opening a new bank account at a different bank once you get this extension completed. No one else is doing this crazinessBryan *********
OP@Brandon ***********
Good advice. Thanks.Activity
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