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What are the recent issues with bank accounts for expats in Thailand?

Thai banking regulations Visa requirements Bank account closure Non-immigrant visa Tourist visa Account restrictions Fraud prevention International payments Wise transfers Banking issues

May 27, 2025

3 days ago

Stuart *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Something going down with bank accounts today. Seen several posts across the visa groups. Not sure if it’s a particular bank specific thing or what. The posts mention about the banks closing accounts of people not on long term visas. 

If anyone has information as to what’s going on then please share.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Recent discussions in expat communities indicate a crackdown by Thai banks on accounts opened with tourist visas. Many reports suggest banks like Bangkok Bank are closing these accounts and introducing new regulations, such as requiring the mobile number linked to the account to match the owner's ID as a measure against scams. Changes started around May 1, 2025, following arrests related to fraudulent activities, especially involving Chinese nationals. There are widespread uncertainties and frustrations among expats regarding the closure of accounts and the emerging banking policies.

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Pete *******

Bangkok Bank stopped allowing foreign tourists to open accounts since beginning of the year. Only people holding retirement or non immigrant visas are now able to open an account. Thousands of accounts opened on tourist visas have been blocked. Bank clients are being asked to come into the bank to sort out the situation. Without a long term visa funds are to be withdrawn and accounts closed.

TASS May 27th.

2 days ago

Alan *******

There is a post saying that Bangkok Bank is closing accounts of Russian nationals.

Can't find it now. Not sure if it's true or a scam.

2 days ago

James *******

I opened my Bangkok bank account with a visa exempt stamp a bit more than 2 years ago. I just logged in and it is just fine. It looks like Bangkok bank and other banks are closing those accounts with phone number ID not matching with the account owner ID. Because 100 % of the time scammers use this technique. Most Chinese and some other nationals have a Thai lady open a bank account under her name, then they take control of the account with their phone app. That is why you see long queues of Chinese nationals in front of that banks lately.

2 days ago

James *******

Bank account owner's ID and linked phone user's ID MUST match. That is the new regulatory requirement to stop scammers in Thailand

2 days ago

Robert *********

How would the bank know the ID on the phone? Are they talking with all the mobile providers?

a day ago

Stuart *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ********

Absolutely. If your name isn’t on the register with the phone number that you gave the bank then they’ll lock out the app.

21 hours ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

Maksym ***********

@James ******

that's not related to Bangkok bank account suspension. They close now accounts with correct name on sim card

a day ago

Reply to

Maksym ***********

Ronny *****

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