Whatever you do for a non-no retirement visa do not use Bangkok Bank. They are the worst. They will tell you one thing at one branch and tell you something at another branch. All other banks will give you a letter that you deposit the money and not lock your money up for four months.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many expats express mixed experiences with Bangkok Bank, particularly regarding the retirement visa process. While some have had satisfactory experiences with timely service, others have faced significant issues such as inconsistent information across branches, locked funds for extended periods, and poor customer support. Various commenters share opinions, highlighting a perceived decline in service and the bank's strict adherence to immigration requirements, which occasionally leads to account freezes and frustrations. Alternatives like Kasikorn Bank are recommended by some as being more favorable for expats.
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.
I’ve been using Bangkok Bank for 20 years now. This year is the first time I’ve ever had them lock ฿800,000 for four months, but I can’t use that money for five months anyway, so I am over it. I didn’t have the required amount since I was out of Thailand for a year and a half and arrived on a 60 day visa exemption and just changed to a non immigrant based on retirement. After Songkran I am applying for my one year extension. One year bank statement and letter will be available on 21-4 that I ordered four days ago. The holiday closure added to the amount of time to get my paperwork. My landlord is just as bad at doing the paperwork, if not worse.
Welcome to TIDELAND where everything of yours goes out with the tide. All my friends have gone, all my family have left. Why in the heck should I stay, I just look stupid being the last
Kasikorn would.not open an account 6 years ago despite 8 members of my family holding accounts at the branch. Even with a long term visa, tabian ban, ID card, drivers license. Somewhat disappointed I walked to Bangkok Bank and 30 minutes later departed with an account, a passbook, an ATM card, active phone banking and on line banking.
For the ones who have had your account for over 3 years, Bangkok Bank have changed their rules, Kasikorn is a friendlier bank when it comes to starting a new account as a foreigner, they follow all of immigration requirements and don’t ask for more stuff, they also didn’t go around freezing accounts
There were a tiny number of Bangkok Bank Branches where corrupt staff were openly in the pay of agents, for whom they opened accounts no questions asked. There never was an issue for doing so when it’s merely expediting long term Visa’s. Until organised crime exploited that to launder their dirty money. Bangkok Bank after all has a reputation to consider. Deal with the bad apples and best you can put it right, if that happens to piss off the Farang so be it. My branch in Pattaya Klang was particularly notorious. So I for one got the arse end of that. Blame the greedy agents and the Criminals if you will. NOT the bank,as they had no real alternative than to clean the swamp.
I just wanted to bring this up for any newcomers. I’m not telling you where you should bank I just feel that Bangkok Bank has done me wrong several different times. One branch doesn’t know what the other branch is doing or saying and you end up paying the price I make no bank recommendations.
I use monthly income method through Bangkok Bank since 2015, no major problems. However, I don't transfer money there myself, I use Direct Debit type BB account where USA social securtiy administrationdeposits directly into my Bangkok Bank account. I withdraw here in Thailand same day that SSA deposits it(wiith the time zone difference). That has the addedd advantage that I don't have to explain to immigration what my source of funds is, they see it right there on every transfer receipt. I was there yesterday to get account verification for immigration. In conversation they told me that if I ever use the 400k method, as long as that much money was in the account 3 months prior they don't freeze it and the same applies for 800k.
Jikee Jung I am sorry but you really want to trust them with that money. Not if, but when it will happen and you will be in a bind. What if you had to leave, and the banks lock down. It will happen.
very true, it's a calculated risk for the convenience. I do withdraw it in full on the day it arrives. And my main sources of income are two generous oil company pensions/401k's and corresponding credit union accounts in US. In worst case, I can submit a change on my SSA account to direct deposit to one of my USA accounts which would take effect the following month.
Paul Martin I opened an account with Kasikorn then told Bangkok bank to pay the money from them into my Kasikorn account and close the bangkok account .
The problem is they are all franchised so one bank will tell you one thing and another will say something else and if its not the branch you opened your account they aren't making money from you ,so they will say anything to fuck you off.
Most people don’t have any issues with Bangkok Bank, only if you deposit the 800.000 baht just before you require the statement they will ask questions and/or have extra requirements.
This is done against agents who lend the money only for the visa application.
Another example of unfathomable things at BKK bank. I went to do a wise transfer this morning. Estimated arrival time was April 16. I did cancel and tried to transfer to Kasikon, a few SECONDS later money had been deposited in that account.
oxleystreet Kasikorn bank handles all the international money transfers in Thailand, all transfers have to go through Kasikorn on the way to other banks thats why its always quicker to Kasikorn.
oxleystreet I have used Wise for a number of years....never had a delay with them on purchases in Thailand with my Wise Card (paid instantly) and international transfers have gone through in minutes (during Thai bank working hours) and that's been with Bangkok Bank as the receiving bank. 😊
Andreas Trummer Tell that to the thousands of people that had there account frozen and couldn't pay their rent or buy food ,some had to travel hundreds of miles back to the original branch to sort their accounts out ,Yes I agree if the bank had said bring proof of address and visa or we will close you account but to not give any notification and freeze account is wrong.
Stephen Howell you are just lucky, my sister went to put the 800k in and she only had 2000 in the acct and they closed her acct. Two days later they removed that rule, but she had to start from scratch so she went to krunthai and was a breeze. I speak Thai and when this happened i heard the people at the bank making fun of her for only having 2k. They have no clue that it's stupid to have any money in that bank. You will eventually get screwed. Sure been ok for 12years but notice what has happened in just the last year
Paul Martin I've been hearing these stupid reports for almost the last year. "You'll eventually get screwed" etc. Why will I? My account was opened whilst on a non-immigrant visa, never once used an agent. Everything above board. It seems there's a lot of salty, bitter foreigners out there who didn't always do the right thing and are now paying for it! Plenty here saying they've never had a problem with Bangkok Bank and we're happy with it! 😀👍
Peter Northeast Ditto, they've been outstanding to work with. Never any problems, and their staff have been delightful every time I've gone in for visa-related paperwork or anything else.
Stephen Howell Ok, I could have kept the account. There was nothing they suspected. It was their over the top paperwork requirements to verify the account, something every foreigner with a Thai bank account was going through all over the country. Kasikorn and SCB only required a phone payment receipt to verify the account.
So I guess it's time to turn in your cereal box detective badge, Inspector CluSuck. :D :D :D
Gerar Teuben I used account "as normal" 7 years. Unfortunately i was a customer in that notorious Pattaya Klang branch where some staff were arrested because those scam accounts. Everything starts to be shaky there and attitude even to "normal" customers was suspicious.
Change my things to Krungthai Bank. Couldn't be happier.
Correct BKK Bank is THE WORST for any help obtaining non o visa or any visa. Their rules change daily. A simple search will tell you how horrible they are and infact they have lost hundreds of customers over the ignorant policies and freezing accounts, etc. Every other bank in thailand is easy to work with. Don't waste your time on BKK bank for anything.
Jeff Hoffmeister They booted the accounts of those expats who are obsessed with using visa agents. We know this already. The cut-price expats who have zero savings and need to pay bribes to get their annual extensions. Nothing new to see here. Play with fire, get burnt! 😂😂😂
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