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What are the recent issues with bank accounts in Thailand, especially for foreigners?
Bank AccountsThailandExpat IssuesBangkok BankAccount FreezingMule AccountsFinancial ServicesExpats in Thailand
TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions highlight recurring issues faced by both Thai citizens and foreigners with frozen accounts at Bangkok Bank. Many users report their accounts being blocked without clear reasons, leading to significant delays in accessing their funds. Despite attempts to provide proof of legitimacy, individuals are experiencing lengthy waits to resolve their issues. Concerns have been raised regarding the bank's methods for identifying 'mule accounts,' raising questions about fairness and transparency in the process.
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Lynnette *******
How do they identify mule accounts? As an oldie, I'm just wondering.
Jim *******
@Lynnette ******
Reading the news, unusual high value money movements trigger their (the banks) algorithm. Thais affected, mostly, are those humble street market vendors with QR code, who sell food 50-100 THB and all of a sudden, they get 100 thousand baht into their account that disappears within 1-3 minutes.Reply to
Jim *******
Reply
Yo***
the funny part here is, the banks suspect your account as mule account or such accounts that related to illegal business etc.. and you must prove you are innocent or nothing to do with that. It is like, police arrest you first because police suspect you. And you must prove that you are innocent.
John *****
@Yo***
like that in most placesReply to
John *****
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Nick ************
How do you contact the AOC Centre from outside of Thailand please? IE The UK.
Markus **********
All this talk about mule accounts is just pure BS. Just admit you don't have a clue what you are doing!
Steven *********
@Markus *********
agreed, they have completely lost control of all this now and its turned into a shambles.... another idea they came up with and then dont know how to follow it through..Nick ************
@Markus *********
i doubt that is likely to happen.Reply to
Nick ************
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Greg *********
Many Thai people now are getting frozen accounts as well, Bangkok Bank has a lot to answer for
Andy *******
Useful info .. thanks .. not frozen on accounts yet, but gathering to do info just in case .. and withdrew enough cash to cover me if accounts get frozen .. but this info is helpful, thanks
Martyn ***********
Of it's only mule accounts why are people who've proven their innocence with required documents having to wait weeks to have their money released? Weeks of hardship.. Surely they are affected??
Brandon ************
@Martyn **********
because what Bangkok Bank is doing has nothing to do with Bank of Thailand or mule accounts. It's just them being shittyMalcolm *****
@Martyn **********
Why? It’s called “profit focused” and not “customer focused”Martyn ***********
@Malcolm ****
money number 1..TiTReply to
Martyn ***********
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Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martyn **********
Exactly 👍🏻Reply to
Chris *****
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Sean *********
My SCB app was blocked a month ago.
Bangkok Bank acct won't allow transfers, but will accept transfers. This is within the past two weeks. I found out about the BKK acct as I arrived in Thailand yesterday, trying to withdraw funds at a DMK ATM.
This is crazy
Bangkok Bank acct won't allow transfers, but will accept transfers. This is within the past two weeks. I found out about the BKK acct as I arrived in Thailand yesterday, trying to withdraw funds at a DMK ATM.
This is crazy
Garrett ***********
@Sean ********
The app blockage is because your phone number (or the number associated to your account) isn't registered to you in the national SIM registration. You need to get a Sim card in your name, then update your number. It applied to all bank accounts from July 1st. Bkk bank freezing accounts is because the suckNick ************
@Garrett **********
i have had the same sim card and number in my name for 6 years and still get my account frozen.Garrett ***********
@Nick ***********
And?Nick ************
@Garrett **********
just pointing out you are wrong.Garrett ***********
@Nick ***********
Don't think so, you probably just can't read.Nick ************
@Garrett **********
so you think I would get a sim card in someone else's name and an account in another just to make things difficult? I can read and you are wrong.Garrett ***********
@Nick ***********
I wasn't talking to you, not everything is about you. His account wasn't frozen, just access to his banking app was. Consider reading more to increase your IQ and less Facebook.Nick ************
@Garrett **********
if you want to talk to someone personally then DM them. In future be aware that any comments you make publicly are seen by everyone reading the thread.Garrett ***********
@Nick ***********
Are you talking to me?Reply to
Garrett ***********
Reply
Sean *********
@Garrett **********
thanks for the response. That was just confirmed at the branch. I am at AIS right now. Walked in. The attendant asked "For the bank?" Sheesh!Reply to
Sean *********
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Wayne *********
I arrived Wednesday morning went to Bangkok Bank Seacon had my account sorted in 30 minutes tried a transfer yesterday to the Mrs and no problem.
Reply to
Wayne *********
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Steve ******
I've had to travel from sakon nakhon to pattaya to where I opened my bangkok bank account and now have to wait up to 3 weeks to find out the outcome meanwhile they have got my money and won't release it to me 🙉
Sue **********
@Steve *****
Do you remember how you opened your account? With what visa? Through an agent?Steve ******
@Sue *********
yes I went through a visa agent in pattaya,maneerat soi ****
and I renewed my retirement stay in July for 1 yearSue **********
@Steve *****
And which type of visa did you have?Steve ******
@Sue *********
the first time I got 90 days then 1 year retirement with multi entry and I've renewed for 1 year with single entryReply to
Steve ******
Reply
Brandon ************
This article is in reference to Thai people whose accounts have been frozen.
If it was relevant to foreigners, it wouldn't just be Bangkok Bank that it's happening to. That mess is purposely created by Bangkok Bank and they're the ones to blame, not BOT.
If it was relevant to foreigners, it wouldn't just be Bangkok Bank that it's happening to. That mess is purposely created by Bangkok Bank and they're the ones to blame, not BOT.
Trav **********
@Brandon ***********
whinge, whinge, fuckin whinge.Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
so why are they doing it?Brandon ************
@Paul *******
because they were caught with their hands in the cookie jar with the big Chinese account scandal. Now they're overreacting trying to look tough. And in the process they're taking it out on all foreigners. Other banks didn't get caught in scandals and hence are not having these issues.Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
I opened an account 10 years ago and never had any problem. I just think maybe they opened to many accounts to easily and did lots for tourists as well so having to put their house in order.Reply to
Paul ********
Reply
Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
why do you think Bangkok bank is to blame for this ?Brandon ************
@Paul *******
99% of the people with frozen accounts are Bangkok Bank. That's a bank policy, else it would also be reported at every other bank. Since it's not, it's a Bangkok Bank policy to freeze foreign accounts. The BOT has not told banks to freeze foreigner's accounts. Bangkok Bank made th decision to do that all on their own.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Yes but I think BB enthusiastically froze many accounts held by foreigners too 😅Sue **********
@Chris ****
Yes they did, mostly those whose accounts were opened with tourist visa or even extent visas which was possible some years ago.Reply to
Sue **********
Reply
Ron *****
@Brandon ***********
wondering who was targeted and why, i had no issue with BBL.Kasikorn however put a 200k transfer limit on my account for some reason, requesting me to come to the branch to fix this
Sue **********
@Ron ****
Did you undergo the new face recognition procedure at your K+ branch recently where you got a new passbook which allows you to make inbound payments even over 200k? This was also announced in the K+ App some months ago.Brandon ************
@Ron ****
The limit is a nationwide thing due to fraud. It's determined by a combination of age, and past account usage.Ron *****
@Brandon ***********
past account usage... Like what?Brandon ************
@Ron ****
if you have a history of high balances and transfers then they can assume that's normal for you account and that you can be trusted with higher limits. For low utilization accounts, no need for more than 50k per day.Reply to
Brandon ************
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