Answereda year ago
What should I do about my Bangkok Bank account after being out of Thailand for over a year?
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 .
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 .
Answer summary
The user is concerned about their Bangkok Bank account being frozen due to being out of Thailand for over a year but mentions they are married to a Thai person. Comments from the community suggest that freezing affects mainly tourists, and that those married to Thais with valid residency are less likely to be targeted. It is recommended to ensure your registered phone number is active, and that you follow bank protocols if asked for documentation. Many have reported mixed experiences regarding account services and transfer abilities.
39 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
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
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
Chris *********
@Tony *********
my accountbwas frozen for 3 days. Deposits were still accepted.
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.
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.
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..
Lauren ******************
@Martyn **********
are they? The bank official I asked about this said they can only freeze Thai accounts with court orders? Just curiousMartyn ***********
@Lauren *****************
there 10s of 1000s been frozen check the Bangkok post last week..
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.Karl ******
@David ******
it is a nightmare but if they suspend obsolete accounts why worry or where they going to suspend all your accounts.David *******
@Karl *****
Dunno It probably came up on internal review.
I had to provide information relating to them.
Otherwise my banking would be suspended.
Seriously.
Bit tough when in Thailand and banks in Oz and no branch in Thailand.
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.
John *********
@Pete ******
many of my friends struggling with banking in pattaya whilst I was there, all ex pats
Richard *******************
@Pete ******
not true. Many immigrants and Thai citizens have been affected. It's all well documented.
Mike ********
@Pete ******
They are also blocking university students' accounts, making it hard for them to pay fees, rental etc.David *********
Incorrect I'm on a non o 13 years mine was frozen and married to a thai
Chris *********
@David ********
curious when your account was opened?David *********
@Chris ********
had account 13 years everything in order went to branch submitted everything told you ok 2 weeks later frozen back to the branch spat the dummy couple calls made unfrozen arfter 5 same day
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.
Malcolm *****
@Pete ******
many innocent Thais being impacts - so clearly an issue 🙄
Duncan *******
@Paul ******
receiving payments from mule accounts.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?Activity
28 joined28
people
Related
25Will my Bangkok Bank account be closed if I request a new card while on a DTV?
2.5k23232mo
Why does Bangkok Bank take longer to issue 12-month statements for visa extensions compared to last year?
6.1k56555mo
What should I do if Bangkok Bank has frozen my account because I'm on a DTV visa?
4.1k91095mo
What are the safest Thai banks for expats to avoid account freezes?
15.2k1241886mo
Why is Bangkok Bank requiring customers to hold 400k for 4 months before issuing a bank certificate for visa renewal?
38.1k2476098mo
What are the new Bangkok Bank policies regarding fund certification for marriage visa extensions in Thailand?
7k431099mo
Why has my Bangkok Bank account remained active while others have been frozen despite having a DTV visa?
2.7k19311y
How can I close my Bangkok bank account and refund my money without returning to the original branch?
2.6k16161y
What are the issues expats face with Bangkok Bank's account freezing policy?
24.8k1134771y
What experiences have others had with frozen bank accounts in Thailand?
15.7k403441y
What happens to my Bangkok Bank account if my mobile app is suspended and I'm living overseas?
4.7k36371y
Why is my Bangkok Bank account unable to make transfers or top up despite no notifications?
3.6k1451y
What is the new Bangkok Bank policy regarding visa-related funds and how does it affect expats?
8k75441y
What are the new Bangkok Bank requirements for proof of funds related to visa extensions?
10.4k86771y
Why are Bangkok Bank accounts being frozen for DTV visa holders, and what are the alternatives?
14.2k1291181y
What is the current status of Bangkok Bank accounts for expats on tourist visas?
6.8k361151y
What should I do after receiving a notification from Bangkok Bank?
9.2k68612y
What should I know about renewing my extension of stay while traveling abroad?
1k664y
Can I keep my Bangkok Bank account after moving abroad while maintaining a foreign address?
3.4k18354y
Does my friend need a TM30 form for a tourist visa extension in Thailand?
3.4k11714y
Can I apply for an STV visa from the UK before returning to Thailand?
2.3k19165y
Can I switch my visa extension from employment to marriage without canceling my current non-B visa?
3k28155y
Can I extend my tourist visa in Thailand if my passport is expiring soon?
3.7k32306y
What should I do about my Thai visa stamp being for 30 days instead of the paid 60 days?
3337y
Can I use monthly transfers from my US$ account in Thailand to meet the foreign income requirement for my visa?
1.2k878y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served