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What should I do if my bank account in Thailand is frozen due to immigration requirements?

Thai ImmigrationFrozen Bank AccountThailand VisaBanking in ThailandExpat Life in ThailandVisa Application Support Requirements
Aug 26, 2025
16 hours ago
Michael **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It's been 7 days since my account was frozen and the biggest joke is when you apply for your visa their biggest concern is that you can support yourself not much concern now
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses an individual's frustrations over their bank account being frozen for a week, highlighting the disconnect between visa application requirements and banking policies in Thailand. Commenters share experiences and advice concerning banking issues related to immigration, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a reliable banking strategy as an expat, such as having an account in their home country, and cautioning against issues with certain banks due to recent fraud incidents. The discussion underlines the necessity of proper documentation and adherence to immigration protocols to avoid disruptions.
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Chris *****
I was at Bangkok Bank yesterday at the branch where I opened my account to unlock my account. The bank staff told me to wait 7-10 business days. But I also overheard another bank staff telling another customer 1-2 weeks. Who really knows 🤷🏻‍♂️
15 hours ago
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Tony **********
@Chris ****
 10 business days can be 2-3 weeks if there are holidays in that period...
14 hours ago
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Tony **********
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Ian **********
Thailand's banking sector has been rattled by evidence of fraud discovered in one bank in particular. It's set off a chain reaction and reset, on personal accounts, phone numbers and SIM's linked to account, and daily transaction amounts. This is what happens when certain groups abuse the banking systems, and bank officers become tempted with incentives.
15 hours ago
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Billy **********
@Ian *********
 dilly dilly 🍺
15 hours ago
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Billy **********
@Ian *********
 Jeez Ian, Dilly Dilly means I agree with your opine

You and Max are the same 🙄 🙈wankers
14 hours ago
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Ian **********
@Billy *********
 apologies Billy, didn't understand the language. I take it back.
14 hours ago
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Ian **********
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Ian **********
@Billy *********
 how childish and unhelpful to the chat conversation.
15 hours ago
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Ian **********
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Max *************
Michael Scicluna. Which bank do you have? KBank or Bangkok Bank?
15 hours ago
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Edward ********
Im in the same boat, still locked out of account, you will get alot of people making rude comments, and they think they know everything that's going on when they truly don't. Yes I used an agent to open bank account and retirement visa , I think what triggered mine is Sim card not matching my nameI did go in 4 months ago and thought that i got that fixed through bank. But I guess someone didn't do something correctly.

I called that 1333 number went through prompts and found out mine was saying suspended due to Sim card, so I went in today and got slip of paper showing my name my number my address . Will take that back to bank tomorrow. To see if that's why Im still locked out since last Monday.
15 hours ago
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Ernesto ********
@Edward *******
 why didn’t your SIM card match your account ?
12 hours ago
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Magnus ******************
@Edward *******
 I think up to 5 week
15 hours ago
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Magnus ******************
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Nathan ********
There are many ways to reduce the risk of issues like this.
15 hours ago
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Jay ***********
@Nathan *******
 such as????
10 hours ago
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Leo *******
My solution was to never open one in the first place.
13 hours ago
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Leo *******
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Josh *********
Thailand wont support their own people let alone foreigners/expats… What are you expecting, Them to treat like royalty and pay for everything? A massive life lesson to be learnt here.

Have a Main Bank Account from your home country, Set up a Bank Account again where ever you’re staying and then just transfer what need over… Basic Common Sense.
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Josh ********
 Do you know that some visas require
*****
0 baht in a thai bank account? I'm sure you wouldnt be happy if you had that locked up either would you
15 hours ago
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Graham ******
@Sam *******
 it only has to be "locked up" for just over 5 months if planned properly, a small price to pay
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Graham *****
 The reading comprehension on this post is crazy. The poster mentioned having his account frozen, this is why I commented about people not wanting their money locked up, nothing to do with the seasoning process...
13 hours ago
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Graham ******
@Sam *******
 if you mean frozen by the bank for 4 months surely that's not an issue as the conditions for getting a 12 month extension requires the balance to be 800k for 5 months
13 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Graham *****
 I said would you be happy if the bank locked away 18k of your money for any reason they see fit? The seasoning period has nothing to do with my comment?
13 hours ago
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Sam ********
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Max *************
@Sam *******
 Why do you think every foreigner with a Thai bank account is affected? Did someone tell you that? I have several accounts in more than one bank and neither of them have been frozen, and it won't even happen.
15 hours ago
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Reinhard ********
@Max ************
 So I have.400k for marriage visa in my normal account in which my pension comes every month.It's a rule of my immi that the money is allways available.I heard from immies that approved that the money can be taken all the time.
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Max ************
 Where did I mention that I think everyone with a thai bank account is affected?
15 hours ago
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Max *************
@Sam *******
 Because that's what it sounds like when reading your comments. Get it?
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Max ************
 Then you struggle comprehending what I'm saying, that's okay.
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
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Josh *********
@Sam *******
 But as stated above bud, And Im gonna say what other people are gonna say also… Don’t keep all your eggs in one basket.

Plus there is no context to why he has had his account locked…

And the 25K is for Certain Visa’s only yes. I know and understand that, But use your common sense, If you only have that available to use and you have been locked out? Where do you expect to get funds from if you are stuck in a position where you’re unable to survive!
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Josh ********
 I'm assuming that the comment about thai government not caring if you can support yourself was more of a rant and hopefully not his only source of money but I could be wrong.
15 hours ago
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Josh *********
@Sam *******
 I don’t understand your question here? But If you’re referring to my comment as a rant, No, It was not. I am purely speaking from personal experience and multiple other peoples experiences that I have seen and heard about.
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Josh ********
 "their biggest concern is that you can support yourself not much concern now" This is what the guy posting said, I assumed this is why you spoke about not putting all of your eggs in one basket.
15 hours ago
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Josh *********
@Sam *******
 Yes and No, Why would they be remotely concerned in the slightest if you are unable to financially support yourself if your bank account has been frozen.

I just don’t understand the point of the Original Post. If anybody is ranting its the Author. No questions or Advice was wanted. Just somebody complaining about his Bank Account being Frozen and now he has no-way of supporting himself.
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
@Josh ********
 I've just confirmed I'm telling you that I think the author was ranting about his account being frozen and that's why he said this. Let's just leave it here. 😆
15 hours ago
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Sam ********
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John *******
Immigration warned me yesterday not to use a certain bank for immigration. They were having many problems with it. Lucky that I am using the monthly method.
15 hours ago
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Stephen ******
@John ******
 what is that bank if you don't mind me asking
15 hours ago
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John *******
@Stephen *****
 BB
14 hours ago
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Stephen ******
@John ******
 just had mine suspend from them what winds me up you could only open an account with them at the time take care thanks for the reply
14 hours ago
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Stephen ******
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Mark ********
@John ******
 I use the 65k monthly transfer method for my extensions. I'm with Bangkok Bank and have had no problems
15 hours ago
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Graham ******
@Mark *******
 it's the non-existent 800k accounts they are after ;)
15 hours ago
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John *******
@Mark *******
 I will not either.
15 hours ago
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John *******
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Max *************
@John ******
 Which office is that and which bank? I'm not buying immigration is"warning" anyone about a "certain" bank. Immigration can in seconds see if a bank account is kosher just by looking at bank statements and bank books.
15 hours ago
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John *******
@Max ************
 I am not selling u anything. Only what she told me. I was only there for stamp transfer to my new passport. Apparently, she was trying to help me out for December. She was probably was referring to the 800,000 in the bank. I use monthly.
15 hours ago
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John *******
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Bob **********
I haven’t heard of anyone including myself who open bank accounts legally having any problems
15 hours ago
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Mark ********
@David ********
 Have you ever used your account to obtain an extension through a visa agent?
13 hours ago
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Max *************
@Bob *********
 They obviously don't understand that this is about relatively new bank accounts and it's just a very small portion of foreign accounts.
15 hours ago
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Julian *******
@Max ************
 not true. I have had my account ten years and yesterday I had to make a transfer to my wife and it blocked me. Thankfully I have two other accounts and a wise account
5 hours ago
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Julian *******
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Billy **********
@Bob *********
 had mine for 12 years. No problems
15 hours ago
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Philip *******
@Bob *********
 i opened my account legally last year but like many caught up in this have had account frozen until I present all the documentation that I presented on opening my account last year and had to present in June when I replaced my telephone. The closure happened without notice while I was in hospital. I've since been discharged but post surgery have mobility issues while I recover. I will be opening account elsewhere and changing bank Im not prepared to accept the treatment as a customer so I will vote with my feet
15 hours ago
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Bob **********
@Philip ******
 you probably got a message to come in before a certain date or your account will be frozen maybe you missed it in the hospital
13 hours ago
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Philip *******
@Bob *********
 no it was frozen at midnight Sunday exactly same time as message arrive on the app
12 hours ago
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Philip *******
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Max *************
@Philip ******
 "Like many"? Only relatively new accounts have been frozen, and your account is new. Very few are affected when it comes to the total amount of foreign accounts.
15 hours ago
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David *********
Bullshite 13 years acc with bkk bank opened legally I was frozen out
13 hours ago
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Mark ********
@Max ************
 This topic has been posted and discussed across many facebook groups I belong to. There have been quite a number of people with accounts frozen who have been with the Bank many years up to 20 odd from memory, who have always had the appropriate documentation and requirements but were caught up in this mess. Not sure what logarithm or logic the bank is using to freeze accounts, but it has been painfully obvious many innocent people swept up in this mess.
15 hours ago
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Max *************
@Mark *******
 "Quite a number"? There are several hundred thousand foreign accounts at Bangkok Bank. I don't know how many at KBank. Where did you read that 20 year old active foreign accounts have been frozen the last few months? Please tell.
15 hours ago
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Mark ********
@Max ************
 Maxy I belong to around 140 Face Book Groups and if you spent more time assimilating information instead of being passive aggressive with your, oh so so many similar response to people, then I wouldn’t have to tell you anything. I knew this would be your response as you seem to just troll conversations and reply for the sake of it. All Star Contributor Badge earnt by your efforts like this post Maxy? Try and make a positive contribution Maxy 🙏

Like someone has already told you just before. You are not worth responding to again Maxy. Cheers
15 hours ago
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David *********
Well said
13 hours ago
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David *********
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Mark ********
@Philip ******
 Bangkok Bank has been burned pretty bad by foreigners abusing the system. I think the bank will be happy for foreigners to move to another bank.
15 hours ago
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Jeroen *************
@Mark *******
 How can a foreigner abuse the system in such a way that BB got burned by it? Perhaps I am naive or lack experience but my question is genuine
15 hours ago
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Mark ********
@Jeroen ************
 Staff at the Pattaya branch were selling accounts to Chinese customers who were using the accounts for money laundering. Visa agents have been opening accounts in Pattaya to fraudulently assist expats on retirement visas to bypass financial criteria implemented by Thai immigration.

This is why accounts held by foreigners on tourist visas are being systematically closed down, and why accounts which show visa agent abuse are also being closed or are being frozen with the required funds held for four months to discourage agents from using their services

**************************************************************************************
13 hours ago
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Mark ********
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Billy **********
Pops always warned me about keeping all your eggs in one basket, certainly not a foreign basket.

That was 40 years ago. Probably even more serious in today’s world of cyber fraud
16 hours ago
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Stuart **********
@Max ************
 what a genius you are,a bundle of knowledge,if you can’t be constructive it’s better you go lie down and have a good sleep
15 hours ago
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Max *************
@Stuart *********
 Well, you don't have to be a genius to actually understand what this is about,but you're not getting it, thats for sure. You're just another clueless person whining on FB.
15 hours ago
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Max *************
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Max *************
@Billy *********
 So you think the majority of foreign accounts in Thailand are frozen? It's a small portion of them and they are relatively new. There are also reasons for these accounts being frozen.Stop whining about everything.
15 hours ago
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Billy **********
Poor max needs to get laid 😂

Go have a day ✌️

You’re not too much help in your current demeanor
15 hours ago
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Max *************
@Billy *********
 So, your saying your comment has nothing to do with the OP and his "frozen" account.
15 hours ago
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ElĂ­as ********
@Max ************
 he's not whining. He's just giving a very good piece of advice. Don't put all the resources in a single account, in case something, even temporary, happens.
15 hours ago
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Billy **********
@Max ************
Have a day Max
15 hours ago
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Billy **********
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Lynnette *******
The banks policy has nothing to do with the Thai govt or immigration who want you to have funds to support yourself.
16 hours ago
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David ***********
@Lynnette ******
 That’s not necessarily true. This is a complex matter and the Thai government heavily influences the bank’s decisions. 🤷‍♂️
14 hours ago
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Reply to
David ***********
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