Answereda year ago
Will new regulations affect foreigners with property, Thai spouses, or long-term visas in Thailand?
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Answer summary
Recently, there has been discussion about new regulations in Thailand regarding foreign ownership of bank accounts. Comments suggest that these changes will not significantly affect foreigners who own property, have Thai spouses, or hold long-term visas. Some users express concerns about potential impacts requiring trips to Thailand to address banking issues. There is also a debate over whether the regulations are a legitimate crackdown on criminal activities involving bank accounts or a misrepresentation of the situation faced by most foreign account holders.
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John **********
I doubt anyone who opened an account with bangkok bank directly themselves and provided proper verification of their identity at the time will have any issue.
Chris *****
OP@John *********
Let us all hope so but I understand now BB wants all foreign account holders to come in and update their current status like visa, phone number, address, passport etc. Otherwise, the account MAY BE locked.John **********
@Chris ****
I don't think that's the case. I've certainly had no communication from the bank. I need to go in next week anyway to get paperwork for immigration so will be interesting to see if they say anythingChris *****
OP@John *********
All the best 👍🏻Terry ********
Click bait headline. You “crack down” on crime. There is nothing illegal about a foreigner opening a bank account.
Chris *****
OP@Terry *******
honestly it is not click bait. Several cases of foreigners opening bank accounts as mule accounts for scammer proceeds, money laundering and other criminal activities. The most recent is this case in the news.Terry ********
@Chris ****
I understand that but the headline wasn’t “crackdown on scammers”. The vast majority of bank accounts owned by foreigners are legitimate.Bas **********
So i might have to do a Quick trip to Thailand to work things out?
Adam *********
@Bas *********
if they lock yea, had mine locked and if you don’t have a non o they likely won’t unlock they told me
Craig *********
@Adam ********
if i need go during my work season it will most likely be my last other than occasional visit. I hear DTV wont work! Sell my 150k asset and leave.
Bo **********
Bas **********
@Adam ********
its tough bu o might have to book a trip next couple of weeks😅Bas **********
@Adam ********
work to be done😊
Jim *********
This won't affect foreigners with properties, thai spouses, and with long term visas.
Terry ********
@Jim ********
but how do they expect a new applicant for the Non-O visa for retirement to show the money required to be in a Thai bank? It’s catch 22.
Greg ******
@Jim ********
for now, banks should not be able to just stuff down accounts.
Nick ************
@Michael *****
when I went to BB to open an account they thought my re entry permit was my visa and it had cancelled across it. Then I showed them my retirement stamp and they wanted a work permit! Anyway, three visits later I did see someone who knew what they were doing and got an account. If they close it now I'm stuffed as I am in the uk. Will not be able to pay my rent electric or water bill. I had better start talking nice to my landlady.
Jim **********
@Nick ***********
your retirement visa qualifies as a long term visa. The other thing you should check is that the sim of the phone number you provided to them is held in your own name. Then you should be OK
Michael ******
@Nick ***********
Stands to show that there really are some problems with banking here. Last time I wanted to send some money to my daughter in Austria I had to send them her birth certificate. Anyways, I still like it here and it's still worth the hoops they make you jump through. I just think that they should not overdo "Thainess".Michael ******
Do you really think that Thai bank employees are able or willing to handle or understand these details, not to mention their IT illiteracy, given that they cannot even change your address without personal application and tons of copies of documents and photos you've given them several times already? I think we can all look forward to quite a few unpleasant visits to our banks and some institutions to get some more documents to prove that we are worthy to spend our money in Thailand.
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