What is the procedure for transferring a Bangkok Bank account used for a Non-O retirement visa to a new province in Thailand?

Feb 3, 2024
10 months ago
Jeffrey *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
- Non-O retirement Visa question about my BK Bank account.

What is the procedure for moving my BK Bank account used for my visa to a different province/district??

Edit to add: I want the 800k to be in a bank close to me and the new immigration office where I move to.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the process and experiences of expats moving their Bangkok Bank accounts when relocating within Thailand, particularly for those holding a Non-O retirement visa. Users share insights about the complications of transferring accounts to different provinces and how changing addresses on bank accounts generally works. Some users suggest that opening a new account is necessary, while others indicate that it may be possible to simply update the account information at different branches. There are also conversations about handling the 800k requirement for visa documentation efficiently.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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Stuart ***********
Seems like everything else here, it depends on which branch and the person you see. I was told I could not transfer my account at the new branch, so I just changed my address.

You don't ever need to pay ATM fees wherever you go in Thailand, if you use the 'cardless withdrawal' method using your phone app. It's really simple and works perfectly. I use it all over Thailand and it saves me having to carry the bank card as well as saving the fees.
Brandon ************
@Stuart **********
agreed, I started using the cardless because it's also just much faster than the normal card method. The only issue is that sometimes I cannot find my bank's ATM machine.

For example, Chiang Rai airport doesn't have a Kbank ATM.
Stuart ***********
@Brandon ***********
that's true, there are few if any in Khao Takiab also.

The other problem I have had is that if the machine is in direct sunlight, the phone app will not read the QR code, but I just go find another machine if that happens.
Brandon ************
@Stuart **********
the one thing I wonder is what happens if I put 1900 baht on the app (I always do a 900) and the machine is out of 100 baht bills. I assume it'll just void the whole interaction, but I'm always a little hesitant when it comes to Thailand and IT type things.
Stuart ***********
@Brandon ***********
to be honest Brandon I have never encountered that problem here, but I think your logic is what I would assume also. This is Thailand, so we might both be wrong!
Tony *********
@Stuart **********
oh I just learned something new. Can I just clarify. I've always understood that if you use an ATM card registered in one province in an ATM in a different province you will incur fees. But are you saying you won't with a cardless withdrawal?
Stuart ***********
@Tony ********
yes. I have used cardless in Krabi, Phuket, Bangkok, Hua Hin and Chonburi, all free.

I don't understand why not putting your card in the machine makes such a difference, but it does. Give it a try.
Tony *********
@Stuart **********
that's interesting because I moved from Phuket to Udon Thani and because my ATM card had expired I've been using cardless withdrawals with no fees from Kasikorn. However I am making withdrawals from a Krungsri card and haven't changed the address but I'm not getting charged any fees either. I just recently found out that even if you change your address your bank account remains with the original opening branch which is weird.
Stuart ***********
@Tony ********
that's possibly why they discourage you from transferring accounts as it makes no difference πŸ€”
Tony *********
@Stuart **********
I seem to have gone completely cashless. I scan QR codes for everything. It seems that just about everyone accepts them these days.
Glenn *****
Tony *********
@Glenn ****
I'm not really a bar person these days.
Stuart ***********
@Tony ********
I scan sometimes, but I find it a hassle and small places sometimes don't take it, so I still use cash. I try to use my Starling bank card to pau for things as much as possible because that's the cheapest option for me.
Jeffrey *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stu***
"card-less withdrawal" from the ATM??
Stuart ***********
Damo ***********
@Jeffrey ******
Yes, you read it correctly.
Stuart ***********
@Jeffrey ******
yes. Do you have a mobile banking application?

Mine is with Bangkok Bank.
Jeffrey *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stu***
yes I use BK Bank and use the mobile app to pay, transfer, etc. I'll try the card-less feature next time. Thanks. But I'm not asking about ATMs in my OP, it's about the 800k and getting documents/letter for immigration. Planning to relocate later this year Hua Hin and Chonburi.
Stuart ***********
@Jeffrey ******
I made that move a few months ago!

I went to the Bkk Bank in SriRacha to ask about the 800k documents and they did them immediately. It took about 5 to 10 minutes. I then went to immigration and was finished there about 30 minutes later.

I mentioned the ATM thing because everyone should know this as they travel around Thailand as it saves money and is superb (it's also the reason some people move banks)

Good luck.
Malcolm *******
I went to change my UOB account in Bang Chang to Pattaya and they wanted me to close my Bang Chang account open a new account in Pattaya , so just changed my address .
Nigel **************
I just changed my home address for my Bkk bank account from Bangkok to Petchabun took abut 30 mins
John ********
@Nigel *************
why? Who cares about the address?
Nigel **************
@John *******
no need to change the original branch address but home address should be correct for a visa
John ********
@Nigel *************
never been asked by immigration what home address is on the bank account.

Who asked you for this when applying for a visa? Seems you are confused
Glenn *****
The odd thing is that you do not need to change your branch, except for the ATM fees) but if you want to change your physical address, you have to do it at your home branch. Just verified that.
John *******
@Glenn ****
I just changed my address at a different branch and got a new atm card. I had to ask the right person.
Chris *****
Interesting topic. Following πŸ‘πŸΌ
Graham ******
You just need a Thai bank account, not one in the province that you reside and apply for a Visa/Extension from. Don't overthink things.
Christopher *************
@Graham *****
exactly Graham, good answer
Brandon ************
@Graham *****
sometimes you cannot get the required documents for extension outside of your home bank branch, or they can do it but will refuse.
Jeffrey *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bra****
that's the exact reasons I want to change when I move. I want the 800k to be in a bank close to me and the new immigration office where I move to.
Stuart ***********
@Brandon ***********
I didn't realise that. When i changed province the local Bkk bank didn't hesitate to issue my documents, i was lucky. I would check with the bank first, as changing bank accounts could screw up the visa process. Much easier to just keep your original account.
Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
Ah ok, was not aware of that. The usual reason for such requests is to save on the 15B outside of province withdrawal fee 555
Rick *********
@Graham *****
check with your bank, if I use card less withdrawal at their ATM there is no fee.
Graham ******
@Rick ********
I don't worry about 15B, in fact, I often use another bank's ATM because I can see the justification in them charging me 20B
Steve *******
I have just done the same thing in Nong Khai. The account was set up in Udon Thani. Whent into the Nong Khai branch and asked to change address on my account. No problems, and they were very helpful.
Markiv *********
@Steve ******
changing address is not as same as changing branch, both are different, address can be updated, but If you want your bank account to be moved for province A to province B, no it cannot, you just have to open a new account at province B, it’s that simple
Steve *******
@Markiv ********
thank you for your reply. I did not realise that. So I suppose a follow on question, does it cause any problems if the account is in a different province. I know that the bank charges for out of province withdrawals, but that is overcome by doing cardless withdrawals. The main concern for me is that there are no problems when it comes to the yearly extension.
Pascal *****
@Markiv ********
no need to change branch, easier to change only the adress
Markiv *********
@Asia ******
I know but there are pros and cons as well , you will understand it later
Pascal *****
since 7 years I don't see and I m not blind 😎
John *******
@Asia ******
They charge me more than peanuts when transfering money from my direct deposit account into my savings! Free at the branch that you have an account with.
Brandon ************
@Asia ******
then you'll be charged an ATM fee every time you use an ATM in your new province. Also you may not be able to get some services outside of your home branch.
Lloyd *********
@Brandon ***********
if you use the bank app on your phone and do a "Cardless ATM" withdrawal there are no out of province fees. I do that when travelling (Bangkok Bank)
Nick ************
Sometimes you can not update your bank book with the machine outside. You have to in q and ask them to do it.
Nick ************
@Brandon ***********
my account was opened in Bangkok and I now use a branch in issan. I never get an atm fee.
Pascal *****
@Brandon ***********
with smartphone app free of charge, and with debit card it's peanut 🀣

services I don't see or don't know the difference
Brandon ************
You cannot move your account. You'll have to open a new account at the bank you want your account at. Thai bank branches are weird and not well interconnected even under the same bank.
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