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What should condo/property owners in Thailand do if their bank account is frozen due to lack of a valid long-term visa?

Sep 15, 2025
2 months ago
Joseba ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
BB FROZEN ACCOUNTS

Owning a condo/property not longer valid to unlock BB account, only valid visa.

Accounts on Tourist visas even if you own a condo has be closed down.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the recent regulations in Thailand regarding frozen bank accounts for expats. It points out that owning a condo or property is no longer sufficient to prevent account freezes if the account holder is on a tourist visa; a valid long-term visa is now required. The conversation explores the frustrations of property owners who face difficulties accessing funds and managing their financial transactions, highlighting concerns about the control banks have over individuals' finances.
Yo***
I knew this and thought of this long time ago. Nowadays, maybe since years? I feel that my money is not my money any more. To be honest, this is not only in Thailand to happen but also everywhere. People who have enough savings to retire would live in fear of their banks to freeze their accounts. You buy big shopping in a shopping mall or have a big dinner in a restaurant or in a bar etc, and suddenly your card does not work nor your bank account all stop. So how can you pay for that?? Well, you always must carry considerable cash or other methods to pay for that. Otherwise, you will get a big trouble. In Thailand of course. maybe thai people will beat you up or detain you until you pay. still cash is working well in most of places. But when the cashless payment comes into reality when the cash is not accepted in many places? You must totally depend on banks. Banks have your life. They can do to you whatever they want on the hostage of your money. For such cases, you probably need more banks accounts as possible to reduce your life risks. 2 is better than only one. so the more, the better. But what about the fees of the banks? All banks take fees from you. Your expense will increase too. There will be so many troubles and life harder due to the banks or the government. your money is no more your money. The banks and government make your life harder so seem to want you to give up and keep your money forever. Yes I have overstated. But, this happened and happens and will happen soon.. I have feeling like this since long time.
Ross **********
@Yo***
all over the world not just Thailand .
Giovanni **********
@Ross *********
Very true I had my accounts frozen when I transferred a small amount into an account I had opened with another bank to test it. It was deemed as suspicious. The amount was $1.00🙂
Brandon ************
@Giovanni *********
because that's what scammers do. Small amounts to test if an account works before they do a big one
Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
mmm you have experience with this 🤣
Brandon ************
@Jo *********
when my credit cards start getting $1 charges I know it's time to call my credit card company
Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
i agree with you, I was joking with you
Gerry ******
@Yo***
cash is king.ues it or loose it.
Yo***
@Gerry *****
Still Ok with cash. But cashless society will come soon. in some places, only QR code payment is acceptable. No cash accepted. We will see soon.
Matthew *********
@Yo***
Qr doesn't work if acct is frozen. That's how I found mine was frozen. And in thailand you need a thai bank to use qr code. So your solution has no merit
Bob **********
If they see any unusual activity there freezing them I’ve done the same thing every month for 15 years and so far I’m good
Bob **********
Hopefully I’ll stay lucky but opening a Kbank today
Matthew *********
@Bob *********
some people have posted accts frozen for suspicious activity on a 120 transfer. No other bank in world flag that and the fact yesterday central bank came out said many of people's balances were wipeout and accts frozen due to banking glitch in software.
Sunny *******
@Bob *********
and now I’m scared for my moms account. She opened bb account 9 years ago, it’s open now with the phone nr confirmed, but the issue is she doesn’t have secondary id, and frankly we have no embassy here. If they freeze it , it will be a very difficult situation. Any advice?
Daniel ********
@Bob *********
yeah this was sort of a blanket thing down in the Pattaya area. Essentially anybody I know who was a foreigner, especially ones that have opened up accounts within the last year or two had their accounts frozen. It’s not that any of us did anything wrong is a matter fact, my friend and I went through an agency to make sure everything went perfectly, but we’ve gone all going in and had all of the documents they needed proof that we had cell phone plans proof that we had lease proof that our immigration status was up-to-date proof that we have the proper visa and we gave them all that information they took all that information but so far nobody that I know has had their account unfrozen
Kaler *******
I have same situation.Property owner need to sell to get money back. I don't know how to sell it without bank to receive money too 🤣
Glen *******
@Kaler ******
use a real estate that has an escrow facility. They can receive the money for you and then transfer. Albeit with fees.
Daniel ********
Has anyone had their account unfrozen who recently had their account frozen? I don’t know anyone personally that’s had their account unfrozen
Tim ********
@Daniel *******
yes had account frozen, went in with all documents including land registry for my Condo. 7 days later account ok. BK Bank's own website tells you who can and who can't have an account.
Daniel ********
@Tim *******
OK well I’m glad it worked out for you. I live down in Pattaya and I think our branch was one of the biggest culprits of the problems that they’re trying to fix now and I’ve had buddies that have gone in there the 18th or 19th of last month and still don’t have their accounts opened and they went in there with every piece of information that the bank required. I only went in about a week ago, so I’m just not too concerned with when they unfreeze it just as long as they do eventually. Thanks for the info.
Till ********
Wait, so what should a condo owner do now without a valid long-term visa? They still have to pay bills, maybe collect rent etc. How should they do it without a Thai bank account
Troy *********
@Till *******
wait for what
Blade ********
@Till *******
use Revolut for international transfers.
Till ********
@Blade *******
Not gonna work with rent collection, also with electricity payment, internet payment, not really an option
Maksym ***********
@Till *******
Lazada works with foreign card, you can pay bills in Lazada app, from any card 🤷
Bellucci **************
@Till *******
Only misfortunes, disasters and bad news on this site. I've closed it. Enough.
Ellis ******************************
@Till *******
up to you
Glen *******
That’s how I initially opened my account and so it was also recently frozen. Had to get a non O visa just to reopen it.

Sadly, it’s the first time I’ve really felt like banks can control people’s lives.
Glen *******
Can you explain some of the effects please ? I haven’t considered this before.
Tom ********
@Glen ******
Just imagine what it will be like if they bring in CBDC's!
Mark ******
Just go register telephone number, in your name, and you will be fine!!!
Terry *********
Mark ******
@Terry ********
yeah, do really need to be one all of your life?!!!
Terry *********
@Mark *****
I’m not the twat telling people just register phone number and will be fine

Clearly you have no clue
Kim *********
@Mark *****
it takes a bit more for many
Mark ******
@Kim ********
maybe. It didn't for me!
Erik *******
@Mark *****
Garbage !!!
Walrus *******
@Mark *****
wrong. Lots of forms to fill out. Do your homework
Mark ******
@Walrus ******
i did it already!! Just show them confirmation that telephone is in your name, and you're good to go!
Walrus *******
@Mark *****
talking out the back of your head
Mark ******
@Walrus ******
if you say so!
Walrus *******
7 forms to be verified printed and submitted and then wait forever for answer.
Mark ******
@Walrus ******
i just walked in, gave them my passport, confirmation letter from phone provider confirming number, my name and passport number ....signed a paper and off I went..... no problems at all
Jim ********
@Mark *****
not everyone’s are that easy to sort out. Very hard or impossible for some
Walrus *******
@Mark *****
nothing my branch.
Steve ***************
@Mark *****
not correct. There is no JUST do anything, it should be simple, but it isn't. My account remains frozen three weeks after confirmation of requirements, in person, at the branch where I originally opened the account: Passport, secondary ID (drivers license), legitimate Non O extension of stay (retirement visa), long standing, Thai telephone number linked to my passport. Residence certificate from Jomtien Immigration and copy of my condo contract. I am however, not surprised that the bank's head office staff are swamped by this self inflicted extra workload. I remain patient, but not being allowed access to my own money is wearing thin. Yes, I have other Thai bank accounts, but I can't transfer my funds until they unfreeze the account.
AJ ****
@Steve **************
I had my BB account frozen, went into the branch and provided copies of my condo contract, valid visa and Thai driving licence. Waited a week. Meanwhile had to go change some Forex to pay rent and expenses. Opened an account in KBank to help with daily QR/Truemoney payments. Went back to the branch to ask why the delay. It turned out that they had not taken or, perhaps, misplaced my condo contract copy. That was done on the spot and 15 minutes later the account was working again. Tbh, both times the staff were nice and polite. It's not that Thailand does not "want foreigners". Just be on a proper visa for opening a bank account. In my opinion, the surge in scams over the last couple of years has led to an "unsafe" perception, leading to a significant drop in Chinese tourists (highest tourist revenue) and there was a need to clean up.
Kevin ******
@Steve **************
geez, what more can you provide for them? Seems to me you have given them everything you can.
Andrew ***********
@Steve ******
yes I get that but, for example did they have copy of your latest visa etc
Steve ***************
@Andrew **********
yes, of course. You also need to update new passports with the bank and your cellphone company.
Steve ***************
@Kevin *****
now it's a waiting game
Andrew ***********
@Steve **************
it also had been in news for months to go and update your details etc. To which I did on 2 occasions and touch wood i have had no problems.
Roberto ******
@Andrew **********
which news?? Is it a NEWS that we would see outside the country? Many people would think if something needed to be done at bank- BANK WOULD TELL YOU!
Andrew ***********
@Roberto *****
yes I agree the bank should have given some prior warning, but even when im not in Thailand i try to keep up to date with important things.
Steve ***************
@Andrew **********
there was nothing to update in my case. They already had all of the required pertinent information.
Av **********
U guys remember the movie blow when Johnny depp put all his money into the Colombian banks and they said thanks u can’t have it back hahahbaha
Michael *******
@Av *********
It was a Panamanian bank.
Brandon ************
@Av *********
you get your money back if they close your account
Av **********
@Brandon ***********
maybe you haven’t been here that long but even Thai peoples money goes missing. There is news reports about it all the time
Brandon ************
@Av *********
Please show me this news. I've never seen a single article about that happening and it was from the bank itself. You're just making stuff up and propagating unfounded rumors.
Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
here you go but this isn't the one I was thinking of.
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Brandon ************
@Phil *****
So she co-signed for a loan, and then the person who was supposed to pay didn't, and they took it from her account? Doesn't exactly seem like theft. Seems like she's not good at decision making.
Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
thaceasnt the one I was looking for but no due processes. The bank simply took the money. I'm trying to find where a bank employee shipped money from a Thai lady
Brandon ************
@Phil *****
That's not a uniquely Thailand thing. Any country can have thieving bank employees. But there's no grand conspiracy for banks to steal from customers in Thailand.
Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
yes but you said "
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Thurkettle maybe you haven’t been here that long but even Thai peoples money goes missing. There is news reports about it all the time"k-employee-embezzles-thailand/
Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
still not the one I'm looking for....
***************************************************************************************
Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
this isn't the article either..
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*****
191
Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
i remember one 5 years ago where a Thai lady lost millions. Ill try to find
Av **********
@Brandon ***********
Google it . Happens every week. Been in Thailand thirty years - happens to Thais and farangs all the time wake up one day and poof it’s gone
Brandon ************
@Av *********
so you're saying you have no proof and still throwing out rumors. Okay
Bobby *********
Nationals from 3-4 countries run massive scams on them. In return they freeze all nationals accounts. Can’t make this up 😅
Phil ********
@Bobby ********
You do understand that BKK Bank employees were likely complicit in opening foreign accounts involved in many scams.
Kim *********
@Bobby ********
no they don't freeze all nationals accounts
Daniela ***********
@Bobby ********
Hi, I will learn as a beginner.
Arnold **********
That’s been happening for years
Robert **************
@Arnold *********
I had 60-day tourist visa and was permitted to open my account upon showing them my condo purchase agreement. That was only 2 years ago. I’ve since obtained my non o visa with one year extension but hadn’t updated the visa info to my bank. I’ve been out of the country and spoke with bank manager and they said no problem just bring in the paperwork and identification and I should be fine
Greg ******
Peter *******
@Arnold *********
no it's recent, tourist visas were ok
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