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Why is Bangkok Bank considered unreliable for non-immigrant retirement visas in Thailand?

Apr 10, 2026
20 days ago
Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Jim *********
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.
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Paul ********
Stupid as bank trying to regulate immigration requirements.

I mean think about it. You want me to put the money in 4 months before you give me the Cert and 3 after or you will call immigration and do what.

I have a family member who is a senior immigration officer and he doesn't even recommend using Bangkok bank
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Paul ********
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
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Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The other issue is that I had to go to ASI for a letter showing my new phone number. They just make you go through hell at every point.
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Sandy *******
11.5 years with Bangkok Bank and a 1 year extension with a verification letter every year...never a problem.
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Lindsay *******
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.
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Paul ********
And what's the deal that they won't open your acct unless you get their expensive stupid insurance
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Lindsay *******
Paul Martin no insurance required or mentioned when opening acct or since then.
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Lindsay *******
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Jeff *************
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
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Giovanni ******
But locking the money isn't a requirement from the immigration ? 🤔
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John *********
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.

From the bottom (That’s us ☹️) - Up ⬆️
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Larry ***************
Then using them for my retirement Visa for 15 years zero issues
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StunningEl**********
They are a great bank
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Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
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Bryan ***********
@Michael **********
it certainly does read like you are telling people where they should bank
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Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bryan Kilvinski sorry you feel that way but it was not my fault. Just a suggestion.
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Michael ***********
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Jikee ******
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.
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Paul ********
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.
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Jikee ******
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.
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Jikee ******
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Simon *******
Will people realise its the new accounts that is a problem not the ones that have been opened when the ark was built
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Paul ********
Simon Adams 4 years in thailand
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Paul ********
Simon Adams ohh yeah. Took me two weeks to unlock mind
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Simon *******
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 .
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Simon *******
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Simon *******
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.

Once you understand this you will change banks
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Graeme *******
5 years with BKK Bank not a problem
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Peter **********
Why praise dishonesty?

…”give you a letter that you deposit the money and not lock your money”….
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Gerar ********
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.
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Todd *********
You must have really screwed up.
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oxley******
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.
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oxley******
Thanks for that, I didn't know that
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Simon *******
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.
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oxley******
Good Stephen. In some countries, wise card is not available, but sounds great for those who qualify. Well done
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Stephen ********
oxleystreet I don't have a Wise card. I use Wise solely for transfer of funds from overseas account to Bangkok Bank account. Brilliant service!
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Stephen ********
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oxley******
Ah haa, wise card not transfer. An entirely different method
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oxley******
Via Wise?
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Chris **********
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. 😊
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Chris **********
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Stephen ********
oxleystreet I did a Bangkok Bank transfer yesterday. An FTT designated transfer. Took about an hour! 😂😂
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Stephen ********
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Andreas *********
If there are problems with the bank, the problem is usually in front of the counter and not behind it.
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Simon *******
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.
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Simon *******
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Andy *******
Banked with them business and personal for 25 years no real problems
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Gregg *******
Andy Jones Go buy a lottery ticket then. Worst bank in history of planet Earth.
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Andy *******
Gregg Lewis doubtful... if used to work for HSBC, I know about cowboy outfits
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Andy *******
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Craig **********
Andy Jones same here...opened my account in 1999...
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Craig **********
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Stephen ********
12 years with Bangkok Bank, not one problem. I highly recommend
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Paul ********
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
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Stephen ********
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! 😀👍
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Stephen ********
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Miyamoto *********
Stephen Howell Same
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Sebastian ********
Stephen Howell 10 years for me with no problems whatsoever.
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Robert ***********
Same here
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Peter ********
Stephen Howell same
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Todd ********
Stephen Howell kbank is recommended…having multiple banks also when that one problem might arise. No guarantees in Thailand with banks
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Stephen ********
Todd Capron Very happy with Bangkok Bank thanks! 👍😁
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Stephen ********
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Peter ***********
Stephen Howell me too, excellent on all service types
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Don-Laura *******
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.
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Don-Laura *******
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Willy *******
Worst bank in that sense. And they have lost most of their foreign customers during last 12 months.
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Paul ********
Willy Lusch and 39% of thais
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Miyamoto *********
Willy Lusch Crap!!!!
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Gerar ********
Complete b*s,

If you are using the account as normal you don’t have any issues.

Most people who are complaining are at their own fault.
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Miyamoto *********
Gerar Teuben Exactly 💯
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Karl *****
Gerar Teuben Yeah, it wasn't a problem for me until it was. 2+ years living here and zero problems at Kasikorn and SCB. Maybe the problem isn't us.
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Stephen ********
Karl Bee Maybe it is. Suspicious transactions draw attention to yourself
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Karl *****
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
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Stephen ********
Karl Bee Bangkok Bank requires only Passport with non-immigrant visa and 12-month lease. Phone number verified when you set up app. So easy!
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Stephen ********
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Willy *******
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.
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Stephen ********
Willy Lusch You used an agent to open the account in Pattaya
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Stephen ********
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Jay ****
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.
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Jeff *************
Jay Wb I would say they lost 1000’s of accounts
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Stephen ********
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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Stephen ********
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Stephen ********
Jay Wb Rubbish
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Gerar ********
Lost hundreds of customers over millions in total customers, I don’t think they really care 😂
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Sebastian ********
Gerar Teuben can you give us any numbers to substantiate your comment or is it just guesswork and rumour??
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Gerar ********
Which numbers ?

I never said how much customers they lost due to the increased scrutiny.

And it’s save to assume that the (almost) biggest bank of Thailand has multiple millions of customers. 😳
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Willy *******
Gerar Teuben Up to them
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Willy *******
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Jay ****
Willy Lusch FACTS.
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Stephen ********
Jay Wb Rubbish
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Stephen ********
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Stephen ********
Willy Lusch Rubbish
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Stephen ********
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David *********
We are all aware of this allready
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Marc ********
As far as I know they only want to block the money for 4 months if the 800k has not been in account for more than 3 months

The option of having the money blocked is more in favour for bank client🤷‍♂️
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Graham ******
Marc Widmer "having the money blocked is more in favour for bank client" how is that?
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Marc ********
Graham Seal yes because they could just say: you didn't have 800k in the account for 3 months. So no assistance from us. No extention🤷‍♂️
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Marc ********
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Gerar ********
Correct, only blocked in case the 800.000 baht is deposited at the last moment, this is against the visa agents who lend the money.
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Gerar ********
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