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What should I do about my Bangkok Bank account after being out of Thailand for over a year?

Sep 24, 2025
a day ago
Carl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all , I have an account with Bangkok Bank but I have been out of Thailand for over a year . I’ve seen there have been issues with people having their accounts frozen, I’ve also read that it doesn’t affect people who are married to a Thai and have an address in Thailand both of which apply to me . Can anyone confirm this to be correct ?

I’ll soon be returning to Thailand but I’m not sure if I should transfer money from my UK account to Bangkok bank or not .

If they were to suspend my account would they give notice ?

I’ve logged into my account’s app and everything seems to be ok at present .

Any advice would be welcome . Thanks .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expressed concern over their Bangkok Bank account status after being out of Thailand for over a year. They mentioned the potential for account freezing related to residency status, especially for expats married to Thai nationals. Comments indicated generally favorable conditions for those in similar situations, noting that notifications are given prior to account issues. However, there were warnings that account freezes can still affect anyone, including locals, and highlighted the importance of keeping contact information updated to avoid account issues.
Alan **********
Open a firstdirect account you can take money out at atm with no exchange fees just atm fee 250thb which is 6 pound the cheapest i have found is wise who charge about 7 pound and you lose 0.3thb for every pound or 10 pound for every 1000 pound

If you take two withdrawals of 500 each you would pay 12 in atm charge compared to 17 pound with wise after fees and forex charge
Roger ********
No app, no problem ..... so far
Tony **********
Your transfer will be rejected if your account is frozen. Bring up your banking app and prepare a transfer. If you can, your account isn't frozen
Ran ****
I am married, Bangkok Bank, Valid Visa, Valid TH sim card registrated on my name. BB app looked like its working fine as it should be, but I got errors while trying to make QR payment or any kind of payment. And Bank card was not working on ATM.

No notification or anything from bank that my account is frozen etc.

So after 3 days having same issue I went bank where they announced its frozen.
David *********
Same happen to me
David *******
Martyn Rollinson

Its not BB.

Even though they were taken for millions earlier this year.

The BB action started in May 2025.

But other banks and not just farang account affected.

SCB Krungthai etc.

The freeze is implemented from a thai government financial department

Reasons still unclear.

But evidently thousands of sim cards associated with thai bank accounts and on line scams gambling etc.

Interesting reading.
Mark *********
I did not know that my account was Frozen as I was receiving the same update every day on my account balance and it was no notation in the account on my application. It was when my normal monthly transfer from overseas of 65,000 Baht was rejected by Bangkok Bank and multiple phone calls were made with Bangkok Bank asking me to talk to wise to find out what they were told as to why Bangkok Bank rejected my transfer. Once I had the rejection code and gave it to the telephone clerks of Bangkok Bank was I informed my account had been closed. I went to the bank spent 30 minutes which seems to be the average for English speaker with one teller available and what's happening about 3 hours. I was told I would be contacted by the head office which has not yet happened and it appears as though the monthly transfer method for satisfying the financial requirements of long-term Visa of 65,000 baht has become so expensive, using Swift transfer cost me 3% on the USD/Baht conversion, that it's better to keep $800,000 baht in the account that does not earn interest as that money must remain free to be moved as per immigration requirements.
Mark *********
@David ******
I agree. when I registered my phone only my first and last name to put down by the sales clerk my middle name was not. this is definitely one area that I can see why my account was frozen.
Col *******
I was asked to go into Bangcock Bank today. They asked for yellow book, Passport and driving licence which I had and they photocopied got me to sign the copies. In bank for 10 mins total.
Martyn ***********
What your saying makes freezing less likely... But don't forget 1000's of Thai are getting frozen too,so can happen to anyone..
Jack ********
@Martyn **********
only shady foreigners and Thais are having accounts locked. If you follow the rules and have basic common sense you won’t have a locked account
Graham ******
They are giving people notice to present their documents so if you don't get a text or something on the app don't worry.
Tom ********
@Graham *****
Not always!
David *******
@Graham *****
Its becoming a global problem.

I had last week a letter to say ANZ were investigating 2 (obsolete) accounts I had.

And failure to provide information and my accounts would be suspended

.in Australia.
Karl ******
@David ******
so, if they are obsolete what’s the problem.
Steve ******
@Graham *****
they don't give you prior notice they lock the account and give you 30 days to go to the branch you opened the account at and once you've produced all the documentation they require you can still wait up to 3 weeks 🙉
Philip *******
@Steve *****
4 weeks after being told it would be 7 business days.
Steve ******
@Philip ******
I travelled from sakon nakhon to pattaya they told me to wait in pattaya for a decision the second day I went back waited 1 and half hours and eventually got to a teller,I phoned my wife gave the teller my phone my wife said I want my husband home I've got 3 accounts I want to draw all the money out and close the accounts,the teller asked her not to close the accounts and 20 minutes later I was told go home we will contact you by phone,I was on a flight out of there the next day 🤣🤣
Shaughn ***********
Just make sure the phone number you have registered to your banking app is topped up so that it doesn’t go inactive and gets recycled to a new person.
Pete *******
No issues, Bangkok Bank are targeting tourists not Non Immigrants.
David *********
Incorrect I'm on a non o 13 years mine was frozen and married to a thai
Eric **********
@Pete ******
I am on visa NonO si ne one year … and Frozen for the moment, i have access to my a acount but uneable to use it…

Going to See them in 15 days…
David *******
@Eric *********
SCB and others also affected
Hakan ************
@Pete ******
Many Thais have also had their accounts frozen...
Pete *******
@Hakan ***********
true, but according to the BOT only Thai’s with suspicious activity.
David *******
@Pete ******
This is why many have to verify thier sim cards also.

It was discovered that thousands of accounts were linked to scams and on line gambling or call centres.

BB was hit hugely.

Hence a government body started this action and investigation.
Paul *******
@Pete ******
What is their definition of suspicious activity?
Duncan *******
@Paul ******
receiving payments from mule accounts.
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