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Why is Bangkok Bank requiring a 12-month lease for my account under current circumstances?
Bangkok BankVisa RequirementsExpat Banking IssuesLease AgreementsThailand ImmigrationBank Account Rules
Nov 26, 2025
5 months ago
Phil *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnyone experienced this:
Bangkok bank are now asking me for a 12 month lease for my condo.They say a 6 month lease that I am currently on Is not good enough.This is carrying on from the freezing of the accounts from earlier this.
Bangkok bank are now asking me for a 12 month lease for my condo.They say a 6 month lease that I am currently on Is not good enough.This is carrying on from the freezing of the accounts from earlier this.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user reports that Bangkok Bank is requiring a 12-month lease for a condo, while their current lease is only 6 months. This follows a prior issue with account freezing. Various comments from other users indicate similar frustrations with Bangkok Bank, including inconsistent requirements about property ownership and leasing duration. Some advise going to the bank directly, while others suggest switching to different banks like Krungthai, which seem to have less stringent requirements.
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Steve *********
Bangkok bank are shite. They froze my account said I needed yellow book. ( too much hassle) opened a Krungthai account , passport showing visa, Tm30 and Thai & Uk driving licence, sorted. Closed the account at Bangkok, they said I should not do that as I would need to have account for future visa , after I got the cash out. I showed them my Krungthai account , I said I’m now with a decent bank and walked out. ( my Roi-et branch of Bangkok were clueless as to what was required ,
Tom ********
I own my own house and have the correct visa and this is the attitude I got from them too, I think maybe they no longer want foreign clients.
Wayne *******
@Tom *******
Is the house that you own registered in your name? Not being disrespectful, serious question..Tom ********
@Wayne ******
YesReply to
Tom ********
Reply
Heath *******
@Tom *******
that’s what I thought too, they froze my acc for no reason then unlocked it, then froze it again, good job Thai isn’t cashless.They’re wasting time as a way to deter ferrangs.
Tony *************
@Tom *******
they’ve never wanted foreigners only their moneyPeter *******
@Tom *******
I get that feeling too.Reply to
Peter *******
Reply
Makro *****
maybe the message came from Mae Sot!
Gregory *********
@Makro ****
myawaddy not maesot.Reply to
Gregory *********
Reply
Stephen *****************
They locked mine about a year ago. Went to local branch with visa, TM30, two year house lease contract...all fine, un froze the account. Same happened again 2months later. Took all documentation in again...nope account locked. Fine I said, close it and give me my money back. Walked over the street with a large brown envelope with a lot of money in it....walked into Krungthai. 30mins later, new account and no problems.
Stephen *********
@Stephen ****************
that's how you do it.Reply to
Stephen *********
Reply
Per ***********
Do you have the documents they asking for? Just present then at your local office and You will be ok.
Mma *******
Ridiculous. Making BS rules for the wrong people.
Vincent ***********
Exactly
Reply to
Vincent ***********
Reply
Michael ********
Of course, it looks like a short term rental, which it is, which in turn would look like to them that you are here short term so don’t need a bank account
Phil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
I've been here 18 months in same condo, 3 x 6 months contracts, retirement visa, hardly short term.Sam ********
@Phil ******
similar thing happened to me mate. If you have 3x 6 month contracts take 2 of them. One branch wouldn’t accept it from me so I went to another branch with no issues. Account was unfrozen within a week. Each branch and staff member are different, it’s painful. I also opened a new account with K bank which I use day to day and just hold my 800k in BKK bank account. It’s ridiculous!Nick ***********
Sucks how worthless the support stuff is in this country. The place is great but if you have any issues with something that should be a simple fix, it’s takes hours to get them to actually do some critical thinking and figure out a solution that isn’t prescripted for them.
Reply to
Nick ***********
Reply
Sue **********
@Phil ******
Then why didn‘t you make at least a 1 year contract?Phil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sue *********
because I didn't know I would be here so long, obviouslyReply to
Phil *******
Reply
Michael ********
A 6 month lease is definitely short term contract
Marc ********
@Michael *******
dosn't matter 1 year visa is enoughDennis *********
@Michael *******
who cares how long the lease is? Retirement visa, been here 18 months. My lease is only 5
***
months as I’m renting an Airbnb unit. I had no issues opening two accounts but damn sure didn’t go to BB!!Michael ********
Obviously the bank cares 🤣
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Per ***********
Just go to the office you have your account at and sort it out. This sounds like...
จิมมี่ *************
I tried open another Bangkok account other day, went 2 different branches. One said buy a house first before give me an account, other said 5 year rental contract. I already have an account opened 8 years ago different province .
Rei ***********
@จิมมี่ ************
can you buy a house if you're a foreigner?Phil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rei **********
dumb suggestionChris *********
@Rei **********
yes but you don’t own land it sits on. You can buy villa or condo and own it if less than 50% of all residents are foreign. Must be majority native owned then you can own yours.Reply to
Chris *********
Reply
Vincent ***********
Thailand is fast becoming the land of run around economics
Heath *******
@จิมมี่ ************
“buy a house first” is a ridiculous way to say no.จิมมี่ *************
@Heath ******
agree. I asked teller if they want us to leave or stay hereReply to
จิมมี่ *************
Reply
Ray ********
@จิมมี่ ************
why open Bangkok bank with all the issues they're havingPhil *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ray *******
you're great at foresight, which is fucking useless.จิมมี่ *************
@Ray *******
I've had account 8 years in another province. Makes it easier open account here for visa paperwork. I also have Kasikorn but so far, bkk bank suits me betterReply to
จิมมี่ *************
Reply
De *****
Requiring a 5 year rental contract is the Thai cultural equivalent of a Western bank saying "You're too high risk of a customer, we don't want you."
Sue **********
@จิมมี่ ************
No landlord gives a 5 year contract.De *****
@จิมมี่ ************
5 year rental contract 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Reply to
De *****
Reply
Dave ********
Crazy
Reply to
Dave ********
Reply
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