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What should I do about transferring my Bangkok Bank account to a new iPhone without risking account closure?
Bangkok BankThailand BankingForeigners in ThailandVisa RegulationsMobile Banking IssuesAccount Authentication
Oct 3, 2025
7 months ago
Fish **********
ORIGINAL POSTERBangkok Bank Account Dilema
I am one of those who open a bkb account about 4 years ago using agent in Pattaya via tourist visa. My account survive all the purging even until now. The problem is I just change a new iPhone one week ago and previously last few years I am able to switch my bkb account over to any new iPhone via sms OTP. However it is not successful this time round and I believe it could be due to the purging of foreigner account without a legit visa. When I try to do what I did before , it say I must go to the bank to authenticate my account. I can access my account via web browser and do transfer to other account, of course it’s not as convenient as using the app on phone.
I am hoping to get advice here if I should try to go to the bank to get it install on my new iPhone and risk getting my account closed at the same time ? Or I should just leave it and use only the browser version ? Thanks so much
I am one of those who open a bkb account about 4 years ago using agent in Pattaya via tourist visa. My account survive all the purging even until now. The problem is I just change a new iPhone one week ago and previously last few years I am able to switch my bkb account over to any new iPhone via sms OTP. However it is not successful this time round and I believe it could be due to the purging of foreigner account without a legit visa. When I try to do what I did before , it say I must go to the bank to authenticate my account. I can access my account via web browser and do transfer to other account, of course it’s not as convenient as using the app on phone.
I am hoping to get advice here if I should try to go to the bank to get it install on my new iPhone and risk getting my account closed at the same time ? Or I should just leave it and use only the browser version ? Thanks so much
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user faces difficulties accessing their Bangkok Bank account on a new iPhone after previously being able to switch accounts via SMS OTP. Given the recent purging of foreign accounts lacking a legitimate visa, they are uncertain about the risks of visiting the bank to get their app installed versus continuing to use the web version of their account. Community members offered varied advice, cautioning about potential risks associated with bank visits while acknowledging alternative options for account access.
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Nick ************
My advice is open another account and transfer your money from Bangkok Bank into it while you still can.
Nick ************
I am giving you advice based on you not having a Thai bank account which is quite likely in the near future if you are on DTV.
Ralph *******
@Nick ***********
He can’t open another account because he hasn’t got a long term visa.Nick ************
@Ralph ******
he is therefore going to get his Thailand account closed at some point so it would be advisable to move his cash back to his home country account while he can. That is what I would have done if I had been given any prior warning of what was going to happen.Fish **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ***********
I only have a thousand baht inside , for petty expenses when I am in Thailand. I really appreciate having the bank account as I transfer money regularly to Thailand and also buy from Lazada TH and use it to scan and pay all the time.Nick ************
@Fish *********
can you get a Wise card? You can use it on line and to withdraw a set amount from atm. Downside is you get charged atm fee. A Currensea card might allow you to spend and withdraw cash as you would at home as it is linked directly to your home account. Still get atm fee though.Using Western Union allows you to transfer and collect cash at several places.
Fish **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ***********
I actually use wise to transfer money from my country to my Bangkok bank account usually and I can do cardless atm withdrawal up to *****
B a day (scanning using bkb app) at no charge. The wise transfer rates are much better than western union from my experienceReply to
Fish **********
Reply
Jesper *******
Have u tried requesting for new login id using your debit card on the atm? Use your debit card on a atm and opt for more services choose the request for new login id verify with phone number and birthday....the atm will give u a transactions slip with new login id and sms u the password.....use the new login id and password on the app on your new phone
Fish **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jesper ******
I don’t have a ATM card with my account. I use the cardless atm withdrawal methodBrandon ************
@Fish *********
then you're out of luck. Unless you can order a new debit card from the app or the call center, you're not going to have any option except going into the bank.Jesper *******
@Fish *********
the reason I'm still keeping the atm card is I dont have to visit bank branch whenever I need to change phone and also it serves as a rabbit cardReply to
Jesper *******
Reply
Yo***
Now you have a visa? And, opening a bank account in Thailand as tourist was not illegal. In some countries, foreigners can open accounts as tourist. Thai bank regulated this recently. Bangkok bank is the last to regulate this.
Robert ********
The app has issues. Every time I try to use the facial recognition they require to change something, it fails.
Roger ********
I recently changed my phone. Everything was done at the ATM outside the bank. You just as for a new code and its printed on the statement paper. It only lasts 12 hours. But that's plenty of time.
Jason *********
@Kim ********
ok Thankyou I will try that when I get the phone.Jason *********
@Roger *******
I'm getting a new phone soon too .So you go to ATM how do you ask for new code.Also you just add the app to new phone and open with new number do you close the one on the old phone first? ThanksRoger ********
@Jason ********
At atm look for change user id/pin. There is a menu to follow there. You can also ask the staff inside. The first time I did it, they came outside and showed me what to do at the atm.Jason *********
@Roger *******
That's brilliant Thankyou .Do you have to shut down the app on the old phone first .Reply to
Jason *********
Reply
Kim *********
@Jason ********
you go to a BKK atm. Then find option to change phone. You can also change pw etc. I can't remember where I found it.Reply to
Kim *********
Reply
Mzwaks ************
Try contacting the call center, they may not know much about visa issues. If you're not successful, you could try visiting the bank and explaining your situation, including the new iPhone. Sometimes they can be helpful.
John *******
Did u uninstall the app from the old phone? U must uninstall and reload on new phone. Go to the bank and install.
Kim *********
@John ******
I don't think so. If the app is not in use on the other phone how would the app on the new phone "know" the app is on another phone? It can't. I have installed Revolut on 2 phones and can use it on both - it should be the same with any other bank apps.Joe **********
@Kim ********
Thai banking apps only allow usage on 1 phone. The one with the registered phone number at the bank...Fish **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kim ********
actually the bkb bank can only be accessed from one phone only, similar to a digital token concept that many banks are using. I have removed the log in account from my old iPhone before installing and trying to access from my new phone.Ingvar *******
@Kim ********
not here 🇹🇭 only one telephone app will be working, that's for all Thai banks.Kim *********
@Ingvar ******
I see - thanksReply to
Kim *********
Reply
John *******
@Kim ********
U will have to install the app on the new phone right. When u first install the app you need a special code. I know as I went through this. U cannot have the app on two phones. I am only saying what I went through.Kim *********
@John ******
OK thanksReply to
Kim *********
Reply
Heinz ***********
Since you can access your account and transfer money, it is not frozen. The issue is really only with the transfer of the app to a new phone.
Elías ********
@Heinz **********
Right, but if the OP visits the bank, they might then realize OP doesn't have a long-term visa and might proceed to freeze his/her acount.Reply to
Elías ********
Reply
Jon *****
Oh dear
Ian ********
Visiting the bank is a risk if you cannot show a long term visa so suggest you leave sleeping dogs lay as long as you can.
Fish **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *******
this my last resort 🥹Antanas *************
@Fish *********
if they decide to freeze your account they won't care whether you will renew something or not they will freeze without any explanation maybe your time still doesn't comeFish **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Antanas ************
I really hope you are right , probably going to take a leap of faith on this 🙏Reply to
Fish **********
Reply
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