Hey guys. I want to open a Thai bank account. Can anyone give me advice on what bank to choose. And I also seen something in here about them shutting down accounts is that true if so how do I avoid that happening ? Any help would be greatly appreciated !!

Some advice please if you know the answer.

I have used some of my banked money and my balance has not gone below 400000 baht. I understand that a top up to 800000 + baht is required 3 months prior to application for my extension of stay. My question is does the top up have to show as international or can it be from my other Thai account?

Thanks for valuable help.

Was asked to post this.

It possibly can help someone. Hope it will.

If something didn’t help or it did. Good to share your experience. Good luck.

🇹🇭 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐠’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐞𝐬

More and more foreigners in Thailand are facing the same nightmare: accounts suddenly frozen.

No warning. No access. No way to pay bills or even buy lunch.

So… what’s your Plan B?

✅ Smart Safeguards

Multi-Currency Debit Cards

Wise → [members only]/

Revolut → revolut.com

N26 → n26.com

Payoneer → payoneer.com

Remitly → remitly.com

Hold THB or auto-convert from USD/EUR at real rates. Add to Apple Pay/Google Pay → works at stores that accept contactless Visa/Mastercard (not PromptPay QR)

Works at ATMs and most Visa/Mastercard terminals (some Big C stores, larger retailers). Note: Wise/Revolut cards don’t work with Thailand’s local PromptPay QR system, but they do work where contactless Visa/Mastercard is accepted.

Keep an Overseas Account Active

Don’t close your home account. Link your Wise/Revolut card to spend in Thailand. Even if your local account freezes, you’re still liquid.

Fintech Platforms

Use Wise, Payoneer, or Remitly for cross-border bill payments and transfers. Faster and cheaper than SWIFT.

Local Anchors

Property ownership, marriage visas, or long-term visas give stronger eligibility. Banks are far less likely to target these than tourist accounts.

Split Your Risk

Don’t rely on one bank. Keep part overseas, part in fintech, part local. If one channel freezes, the others keep you going.

❄️ If Your Account Is Frozen

Call 1441 → press 2 (anti-scam/unfreeze hotline)

If unresolved, escalate via BOT hotline 1213 (Financial Consumer Protection Center).

File a complaint with BOT’s Financial Consumer Protection Center (FCC):

Call 1213 or email fcc@bot.or.th

Submit via BOT Helps & Complaints portal

[members only]

Include passport, account number, branch, visa, proof of address, and evidence of legitimate transactions.

Visit your original branch with:

Passport & visa docs

Proof of Thai address

Thai mobile number in your name

Bank statements / recent transaction evidence

Show proof of legal status (work, retirement, marriage, long-term visa).

Ask the bank to release only the “suspicious portion” of funds (per BOT guidance).

⚠️ Reality Check

Crackdowns on mule accounts and scams are driving this — but many innocent foreigners are caught in the net.

👉 Don’t wait until your account is frozen. Build your backup plan now.

Hi . I lived in Thailand a few years ago still have a savings , FD accounts with monies . Moved away for few years and now coming back . Is it possible to combine both these account and my uk account to show 800k?

Bank account opened on medical grounds, while on medical DTV. Poke the bear or not.

Ive had a Bangkok Bank account for about a year now. Getting a bit anxious with all the issues now.

While I am on DTV, my account was opened based on “paying medical treatment with treatment above 3 months” It was internal clause a thai friend found for me. And account opened at first branch i tried. 1 year ago. I am under ongoing long term treatment.

I am tempted to go to my Branch with my new condo lease, AIS verification, treatment plan from hospital, Thai Driver License, Passport with visa and stamps.

BUT am I better NOT poking the bear while things are working? So far no issues, recently bought a new car for 1m, about to make another large expense.

Thing is I will leave Thailand for about 6 weeks soon, and I have around 1m in emergency funds on this account. I keep slowly taking out cash just in case. And I do have other backups payment methods and funds.

Poke the bear or leave it sleeping?

Edit: Thanks all. Definitely letting the beat sleep

I have 2 thai bank accounts but are worried they will be closed. What are all the ”work arounds” if that would happen? I know about Moreta, Tag thai and true money. Is there anything else?

One Step Closer To Our Thai Dream. Non O Visa has been accepted..Time for the next step!!!! Bank account and sim to our name. Suggestions?

I live in Thailand & have a bank account, but I have a friend coming on a DTV visa.

I have heard that you can’t open a bank account on a DTV visa.

So my question is how do people negotiate this?

Access to cash without the fees, scanning to pay & receive payment for items sold?

There may be other benefits of a bank account also, but how are you getting around this?

Ok- I have a question for all my Wise Banking American ex-Pats:

When I'm moving money from my Wells Fargo to wise and then Wise to a Thai bank account should I exchange the funds to Baht and then deposit them s Baht to the Thai bank account?

Does that make sense? Or just do a USD dorectly into my Thai bank account?

Which one will give me better rate?

Hello everyone. I have a question about Thai bank accounts. I know changes happen, but if I get a retirement visa or possibly a marriage visa, can I withdraw those funds from the US if I went back or do I have to remove funds while in Thailand? I’m hoping we stay, but my spouse may want to work enough work Quarters to qualify for Social Security which probably means living here unless she could do remote work with she hasn’t done before. Haven’t looked into those jobs yet