This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What should I do to keep my Thai bank accounts active while I'm temporarily leaving Thailand?
Non-O visaThai bank account maintenanceVisa rulesDormant accountsBanking in ThailandExpat financial advice
Dec 14, 2025
5 months ago
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTERArrived in Thailand recently on a Non-O retirement visa and opened bank accounts (no agents). Unfortunately I have to now leave Thailand and will return next June to retire so will do new Non-O then. My question is around my bank accounts (KBank and Krungsri) - if I leave dormant with a small balance do I need to worry they’ll be closed? Also when I return I am assuming that they will be happy with the new Non-O if they haven’t closed the accounts - does that sound reasonable?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently inquired about the status of their bank accounts in Thailand after leaving the country temporarily on a Non-O retirement visa. They expressed concern about whether their accounts with KBank and Krungsri would be closed if left dormant with a small balance. Community responses suggested methods to keep the accounts active, such as transferring minor amounts monthly, using banking apps, and maintaining a minimum balance to avoid fees. The consensus was that as long as some activity is shown or a small balance is maintained, there should not be significant issues when returning to apply for a new Non-O visa.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Cyrill *******
Bangkok Bank Account will close when balance is zero after 1 year.
Jeremy ********
I visited Bangkok Bank today as my account was frozen due to having it opened by an agent on a tourist visa. They said that I need certain visa’s to open and maintain a new account, including the Non-O. I asked them specifically if the account would be frozen once again if the Non-O expired - and they said that it would not. Only time will tell though. Hope that helps.
Brandon ************
@Jeremy *******
that will not CAUSE the account to be frozen, simply because the visa expired. But they can freeze it for KYC again in the future any time they want. They've already proven that. Hundreds of stories of people who brought everything into the bank to get their account unfrozen only for it to be frozen againIan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jeremy *******
thanks for that - really useful info. It sort of makes sense as it sounds like they’re only focusing on accounts opened on tourist type visas rather than all foreigner account.Reply to
Ian ******
Reply
Larry ***************
The way to get around this is I assume you have both their apps monthly just transfer money from one to the other you don't have to be in Thailand to do that. That way there's activity in the account
Andrew ********
Ok - I have a question seems you did this and I tried to explain to others you can - clearly you applied for a retirement visa outside of thailand - where people get stuck is the fund verification - you obviously used your bank account from your home country - would you be able to explain that process alot of people think its impossible to get a retirement visa with out a thai bank account
Derek *****************
Or is it better to rent a condo in your last month of 90 day retirement visa for residency certificate
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Derek ****************
I haven’t looked into this yet as I am planning on a 1 year lease when I return but have heard mixed stories on what level of accommodation is required at point of extensionReply to
Ian ******
Reply
Derek *****************
When you apply and get your 90 days from home country.will hotel stay be sufficient for Tm 30 and residency certificate from immigration.before you get your 1 year extension
Andrew ********
Yes
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Derek ****************
I booked two weeks through booking.com and checked before hand that they could provide the TM30. Immigration were fine with it.Graham ******
@Derek ****************
yes it willReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew *******
I’m from the UK but applied for the Non-O visa online whilst in Indonesia. I showed the contract for my local accommodation. I showed bank statements from a UK bank account with equivalent of THB800k. It didn’t need to be seasoned. I don’t normally keep £20k sat in my current account so I just transferred some in so it appeared in my monthly statement and put in back to savings straight away. Took about a week to get it. I came to Thailand and immediately went to a bank and asked what they needed. Then I got AIS postpaid number ( the receipt they provided is essential for bank accounts) I got the landlord to email me the TM30 and took that to immigration. I got 3 certificates of residence (bank accounts, car licence and motorcycle license). Banks took about 30 minutes , they were professional and happy that I had all the documents. I started on Monday morning and by Thursday I had eSIM, accounts at two banks as well as licenses for car and bike. I can see why some people use agents but for me I have plenty of time and quite enjoy the challengeAndrew ********
@Ian *****
thank you - im asking cause I have told many people you can get the retirement visa and NOT have funds in a thai account - thank you for explaining how you did it - im honestly waiting to see someone do the income 65,000 THB a month route.Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew *******
Yup home country funds get you 90 days and a visa you can open accounts with. Must done fairly quickly so you can get the 800k in 2 months before your 90 ends in time for your extension. I have no experience on the monthly option but the majority of stuff I have read is it is very hard to do for the first year. Once you start your first year you can bring in your monthly for 12 months so year 2 can be on a monthly basis.Andrew ********
@Ian *****
i have heard the same even for DTV doing monthly income im taking a screen shot of this for others - thank youReply to
Andrew ********
Reply
Bob **********
If you use the app to pay AIS then it’ll be fine but you could pop in and ask what’s acceptable
James ******
If possible for you, get the 12 month extension on your original 90 day Non O and just get multiple re-entry permit. You would need to season the 800k for 2 months first.
James ******
@Ian *****
totally understand. Logistics can be challenging and is highly personal. If you have the time, it may be worth exploring both options. I dont know but wonder if applying for another 90 day Non O within 12 months creates speedbumps. I have no idea which is why i thought to suggest. Can likely get an answer to that here in the group. All the best!Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *****
good question! Fortunately it seems to be acceptableGraham ******
@James *****
multiple Non-Os per year is not a problemJames ******
@Graham *****
good to know. Thank you Graham.Reply to
James ******
Reply
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *****
I could but it doesn’t feel right having a retirement visa for country when I’ll be absent for the first 5+ months. On top of that life throws curveballs so might as well just start again as I will have all the hard stuff in placeReply to
Ian ******
Reply
Michael ********
If you leave Thailand for long time you should keep your Thai phone number active, easy with like the AIS app , also sign up for the daily account balance text, Bangkok Bank charges 30 baht per month for that service. It keeps the account active and you won't have any issues when you come back .
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
Absolutely - seems an important thing here.Reply to
Ian ******
Reply
Jesper *******
Since you already have bank acct the next time you can visit thailand with tourist visa and apply your 90days nonO in thailand with the funds in your thai acct it cost 2k baht for the initial 90days nonO....keep your funds there for your extension of 1yr
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jesper ******
I can’t comment on wether what you suggest is possible (applying in Thailand) but I think doing it online before I come back costs about the same, I know the process and yes I could use my Thai bank account to show funds however I don’t want to put the 800k in Thailand until after I get my visa granted.Graham ******
@Ian *****
better to arrive on a Non-O ;)Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Isaac ******
@Jesper ******
pls adviceReply to
Isaac ******
Reply
Harvey ******
I left right before Covid. Had funds in the AgricultureBank, Bangkok Bank, and Krungthai.
Had my phone stolen so could not access accounts online. 
No banking activity for five years.
Recently came back, no problems. Accounts open and money present. 
Had my phone stolen so could not access accounts online. 
No banking activity for five years.
Recently came back, no problems. Accounts open and money present. 
Greg *********
I like to know what bank you went to? What did you need to provide to open it? I suppose a TM30, passport
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg ********
I got the certificate of residence from immigration, TM30 (even though only booked 2 weeks), the receipt from AIS, my passport and a copy of my non-o eVisa. Opened accounts and KBank and Krungsri.Greg ***********
@Greg ********
a certificate of residence from Immigration in which they kindly ask to get a bank account opened for the applicant. A Thai mobile SIM card registered into his name and passport number. Proof of Non-Imm-Visa and entry stampAndreas *********
@Greg ********
And at least a Thai SIM card reported in your name and the confirmation from the mobile ambience.Hans *************
@Andreas ********
that's new for me. A SIM for what? I take care my account with my laptop since many years. And when I stay in Bangkok I he to the bank on personal.
Andreas *********
@Hans ************
A verified Thai cell phone number from any provider. In the provider's business, all data, registration slips, etc. are also effected and checked. You will receive a confirmation of Mobile phone provider (looks like a cash register strip in the supermarket) and with this confirmation you go to the bank. So you will be checked several times.Reply to
Andreas *********
Reply
Martyn ***********
You need to send your funds in good time for your visa.. Why not send in monthly amounts to show activity?
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martyn **********
If I come back June 1st on a new 90 day non-o then I will need funds roughly July 1st. That’s a long time to leave funds on low interest with no benefit. I will trickle small amounts in to keep things activeGreg ***********
@Ian *****
why are you worrying about low interest? The 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account enable you to get the "1-year parking ticket" for a country where everything costs less than half the price than in your home country. Why would you ignore this advantage and don't honour the Lose some-Win some situation ?Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
what have I said that suggests I have a problem leaving 800k with negligible interest in return for the non-o visa benefits??Greg ***********
@Ian *****
the benefit is to be able to live in a country where everything costs less than half. The profits from this fact will outnumber any loss of interestIan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
That is obvious which is why I am doing this visa! I clearly stated I don’t need need to deposit funds until possibly July next year so don’t want to leave idle for no benefit…..Greg ***********
@Ian *****
I would try to time your arrival and the application to the 1-year extension in a manner which places the date for every annual renewed application for the next EOS, into the months December or January. These are months I will spend in Thailand anyways, this would be the middle of my hibernation. For this, I entered Thailand on October 5th on a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa, and the date of my annual extension application thus is unchanged on January 4th since 17 years. I visit Immigration around 1 week before Christmas with all documents required, leaving a gap of two weeks until January 4th, just in case Immigration asks for something I am not prepared for. . . . this timing will have the side effect that if I enter 90 days before the application date, I can do my 90-days report on the same day I apply for the next extension. Plus I always buy a single re-entry permit for the new 1-year extension on that same dayIan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
appreciate the detail you’ve gone into and get your points however Xmas is one of the more likely times I won’t be in Thailand.Greg ***********
@Ian *****
okay. . . then choose any time during the year that suits your needs. Just observe the timeline: 90 days from entry, and the extension will start exactly one day after the 90-dys stay pwrmit expires. A date which will remain in the futureReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Martyn ***********
@Ian *****
your money needs to be in 2 months before and several months after.. Your money needs to be in there by May... If it's in Bangkok bank they hold it for 3 months after too.Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martyn **********
if I start my 90 days on 1 June 2026 my one year extension will be roughly ****
/26 so funds need to be in 2 months before that - approx ****
not by MayReply to
Ian ******
Reply
John **********
Make sure any bank charges such as for card renewal don't drag you to a zero balance. A few thousand baht should be fine
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I will leave 10-20k in there so shouldn’t be problemReply to
Ian ******
Reply
Greg ***********
keep the account active by onlinebanking through the Banking App. I got a SCB account and I only need to be connected to the Internet in Europe in order to pay and keep my 1-2-Call AIS mobile SIM card topped up (199 Baht per month) or check the balance after transferring myself some cash using WISE. You do not need to go into roaming mode with your Thai SIM card. That's SCB, but I don't know if other Thai banks offer the same service
David *******
I am a real amateur in this regard but what I would do is set up a Wise account and transfer a small amount into each account each month from Wise to keep the accounts active
Sean **********
@David ******
exactly my thoughtGraham *****
@David ******
excellent answer am in the UK & I put into kasikorn little bits to show am still aroundAlso I get a monthly statement from them
Ian **********
@David ******
Good adviceIan ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
I have wise and was going to leave enough in one to pay AIS but now may also do as you suggested and trickle money into the others tooReply to
Ian ******
Reply
6 comments
5 months ago
27 comments
6 months ago
4 comments
6 months ago
18 comments
7 months ago
20 comments
9 months ago
61 comments
10 months ago
96 comments
10 months ago
5 comments
10 months ago
10 comments
a year ago
How can I open a Thai bank account on a Non Immigrant O Retirement visa while planning a short trip?
56 comments
a year ago
16 comments
a year ago
10 comments
2 years ago
50 comments
2 years ago
Will transferring my 800k to a different account in the same bank affect my Non O - Retirement visa?
12 comments
2 years ago
20 comments
2 years ago
5 comments
2 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
12 comments
3 years ago
27 comments
3 years ago
8 comments
3 years ago
24 comments
4 years ago
18 comments
4 years ago
18 comments
4 years ago
7 comments
5 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.