Answereda year ago
Why was my Bangkok Bank account frozen, and how can I unfreeze it as a DTV visa holder?
Went to Bangkok Bank, Koh Chang, this afternoon. Tried withdrawal but ATM said no. Went in Bank and they said account frozen . Had to go back with 5 year DTV visa, passport and the two year lease agreement we just signed on a house. Luckily they were happy with this and un-froze account.
Answer summary
A user shared their experience of having their Bangkok Bank account frozen due to a recent policy change affecting foreign account holders. While trying to withdraw money with a DTV visa, they discovered their account was frozen and had to provide documentation, including a passport and lease agreement, to have it unfrozen. Several comments followed discussing the implications for DTV holders and other foreign residents, concerns about account eligibility linked to visa status, and speculations about the new banking regulations that could affect many expats in Thailand.
73 repliesnewest first
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Lna ******
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Jim *******
I would imagine that the account would first be made dormant which may need you to go to a branch if you need to access funds. No one should lose their money.
Asfand *************
The ATM AND MACHINE ARE ALWAYS OUT OF ORDER .so i keep cash ... i advice other tourist to do the same...
Gael ******
Im glad I resisted bkk Bank my visa agent pushed me to open an account there so I can only imagine the amount of scams in play. I went and opened an scb bank account without an agent. Best choice I've made thus far.
Stephen *****************
OPSorry ....typo on my behalf. Should of said un-froze the account, not re-froze. What I said is not BS! Why would I lie???
Ingvar *******
Probably it will happen many of us foreigners in the near futur. A visit to a branch office to clear it out will be needed. They will check your visa/extension, address and telephone number.
David **********
Un froze?
Sean *******
Open with another account and close that one
Martin *********
So whats going on
Martin *********
So why
Gregory ********
@Martin ********
cause of scammers creating and using accounts
Amanda *********
Google bangkok post for info about bangkok bank changes
Adam *********
Yea happened to me and they seem to not be accepting overseas deposits either
Fish **********
The concerns were about not being able to have the convenience of using the bank app, not so much about the money being forfeited by the bank, unless the money is not legitimate, which is why some suspicious accounts are frozen. However it seem the account holder has to physically turn up at the bank to withdraw the money before it is closed completely. Tough luck if you are located half the globe away
Frankie *******
Yes I heard they froze few banks from operating temporarily
Us *****
I thought it was for the Russians only. You name doesn't end in a SKY or NOV.
Jim **********
@Us ****
it applies to all foreigners.Us *****
@Jim *********
once again, the Chinese scammers ruined it for us
Tayaout *****************
@Us ****
One news story mentioned Russian and another one Chinese, but it most likely applies to everyone.
David **********
Unfroze but we know what you meant
Stephen *****************
OP@David *********
yes David, was a typo mistake on my behalf, they did un-freeze the account.👍
Rosfield ********
What a scam...LOScams
Joe ******
What about kasicorn bank are they ok is it just the Bangkok bank
Dave *******
@Joe *****
kasicorn ok, I’ve been transferring into that bank
Brandon ************
@Joe *****
I haven't heard or seen anything about Kasikorn. But that's not surprising since 99% of the agent "facilitated" accounts were at Bangkok BankJoe ******
@Brandon ***********
cheers mate
Mick **********
Read it again. He say they are happy and refroze it. All BS
Raymond ********
@Mick *********
l read it that way as well. Unless a typo and he meant unfrozeDave *******
Been into bank, it doesn’t come into force until 1st June, and then you have time to take your money out and then close the account.
Yasmin ***********
@Dave ******
for all the accounts?
Dennis ******
@Dave ******
Do you know how much time do you have to take your money out? I'm out of the country and planning to book a plane to fly there.
Lisa ****************
@Dennis *****
use Wise and transfer to another accountDave *******
@Dennis *****
you can still transfer it to other accounts, I would imagine it depends how much you have in there and how much available cash the individual bank has. Many people and panicking, they are not freezing accounts and keeping your moneyYasmin ***********
Oh 😮. What if you don’t have the visa they want? You loose the money?
Jennifer ******
@Yasmin **********
if you're on a tourist visa, you will most likely be asked to close the account and take all the money out and will not be allowed to open an account anymore until you get a long term visa. If you own a property here, bring the title deed with you and you should also be able to keep the account.
Graham *****
Graham *****
@Jennifer *****
not on any visa back in UK with Thai wifebut still got step daughter in Bangkok
She will need funds for living and looking after house
Will be back in Thailand November
I transfer money from my Bangkok account to her Thai account
Also got
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0 for my marriage visa when we go back in November Questions are been asked on here how can you get a marriage visa if your Bank account is frozen when you have to have it for 2 months in account for your marriage visa
Jennifer ******
@Graham ****
are you on tourist visa?Yasmin ***********
@Jennifer *****
Hmm okay. Well i will wait and see 😕Gregory ********
@Jennifer *****
100% correct and if you have a long term visa no issue—the other visa that might also have issues is the ED—if your ED is cancelled—same will happen with bank accountBrandon ************
@Yasmin **********
doubtful. They'll just make you close the account.
Fiona *********
@Brandon ***********
do you remember my tiktok post that you made a post on?? Well I wasn't chatting 💩 after all was I??? You told everyone to ignore me 🤔 I was trying to give people the heads up that this would be happening and it happened.Gregory ********
@Keith ***********
okay thanks for advising—now we know his doing it to multiple persons—unacceptable behaviour—i think we have just discovered another narcissist,where only his opinion counts🙈🙈🙈🤡🤡🤡Gregory ********
@Fiona ********
he always argues with other peoples opinion—thinks his allways right—does it with me as well👍👍👍👏👏👏Fiona *********
@Keith ***********
Wow. I know how you feel x
Keith ************
@Fiona ********
I'm still waiting for an apology from anyone who said I was full of it when I said extending the DTV in country would have similar requirements to getting it in the first place. I got called a fear monger.Yasmin ***********
@Brandon ***********
hope I can keep mine. Would be a shame to loose it
Pete *******
The statement from Bangkok Bank spokesman was that DTV holders do not qualify for holding an account. As John mentioned your statement is hard to believe.
Willem ****
@Pete ******
DTV is officially a tourist visa. Thats the reason.Willem ****
Bangkok Bank has stricter requirements for opening accounts for foreigners, particularly those on tourist visas, including the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), as it's considered a tourist visa.
John **********
@Pete ******
that's not what is unbelievable
Mma *******
Ridiculous. Don’t they know who the bad guys are.
Gregory ********
@Mma ******
old scenario a few bad ones ruin it for all the good ones
Bo **********
@Mma ******
maby you 🙃
Gareth ********
Posted earlier in this group.
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John **********
I find this hard to believe
Damo ***********
@John *********
google bangkok bank freezes accounts…. You lazy 🤡🤡🤡Gregory ********
@John *********
its true—BKK bank investigating all foreign accounts that dont have long term visas
Jodie *******
@John *********
Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest commercial bank and a major financial institution in Southeast Asia, has reportedly begun freezing accounts and blocking bank cards of Russian nationals who do not meet new eligibility criteria — a move that started around May 25.The sudden restrictions have caught many tourists and expats off guard, leaving them scrambling to access their funds and seek explanations at branches across the country.
Long known for its openness to foreigners — even allowing short-term visitors to open local accounts — Bangkok Bank has now shifted its policy sharply. Under the new rules, only those who:
• Hold long-term visas
• Are married to Thai nationals
• Or own property in Thailand
…will be permitted to maintain their accounts and continue using bank cards. Others are being asked to withdraw their money before losing access.
There are also rumors that the bank may apply similar measures to all nationalities that don’t meet the new criteria, raising serious concerns across Thailand’s diverse foreign resident and traveler communities.
If you have a Bangkok Bank account and don’t meet the requirements we advise to contact the bank as soon as popossible.
#BankPolicyChange #ExpatsInThailand #TouristInfo #TravelAdvisory #BankingThailand #VisaRules #Thailand2025 #FinancialAlert #SEAsiaNews #AccountFreeze #BankCardBlocked #BangkokUpdates
Jodie *******
@John *********
yes they are taking measures. Three things you need a long visa, a Thai native marriage or a property owned. To have an active account.i read it on a post earleir
Wayne ********
@John *********
well you can believe it. It started May 25.
John *********
@John *********
I read about this online today.Willem ****
John Stanners
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85/bangkok-bank-cracks-down-on-foreigners-accounts-amid-scam-fears
Daniel **********
@John *********
it's on all the news today.Dennis ******
I have been using the app fine: topping up, SWIFT transfer, etc... until a couple of days ago. Now I can't do any transactions.
John **********
@Dennis *****
so many things getting mixed up here. Do you have a Thai SIM registered in your name associated with your bank account? If not that is likely your issue. Go and visit your mobile service provider and get the number in your name then go and speak to your bankStephen *****************
OP@Phil *****
thank you Phil 👍Gregory ********
@John *********
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85/bangkok-bank-cracks-down-on-foreigners-accounts-amid-scam-fears#
Phil ******
@Stephen ****************
GREAT to see your account is good againPhil ******
@Willem ***
qe now but op ok nowWillem ****
@John *********
Its true. Believe it.
Marko *********
@John *********
just came out some news about this.
Euan ********
@John *********
I've read a few posts today of accounts / apps being frozen.Activity
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