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expat banking issues

Showing 42 questions

This page displays all the results for the Expat banking issues tag, sorted by the most recent activity. There are a total of 42 questions that have been tagged with Expat banking issues. Explore the questions to find discussions and information relevant to this topic.
Sep 19, 2025
19 days ago
Andrzej *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have sent my SCB bank statements, and now they are asking for a copy of the visa I held when I opened the bank account. It was 15 years ago... Has anyone experienced a similar situation?
Sep 19, 2025
19 days ago
Dave ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So as some of you know bangkok bank has frozen accounts. Here is my story. Arrived here in thailand Jan 8 went to visa agent in order to open a bank account because i was moving here June1 so wanted bank account in order to have money here when i landed .

Got a bank account opened on a tourist visa with bangkok bank just like everyone else moved about 300 thousand baht into the account. Landed june 1 shit hit the fan a couple of days before , Talked to my visa agent he said get it out of there so i took most of it out leaving about 20 thousand , account got locked went to bank go it unlocked, thought that would be the end of it, were good to go. Visa agent said no longer able to supply 800 thousand for retirement visa, so i transferred 800 thousand thru wise to my bangkok bank account. Visa agent said no one is dealing with bangkok bank anymore to get retirement visa had to open a different account , No problem done cost me more baht.

Had to take the 800 thousand out of bangkok bank in order to put into new bank in order to get rertiement visa, no problem (not). Thought i would be smart about it and not take all 800 thousand out at once so as not to raise red flags, first day get 400 thousand cash no problem , next day went to get the other 400 thousand Holy crap the teller drilled me like the FBI. Said she would have to send report to head office she would not give it to me went to visa agent explained the situation agent transfers it thru the app no problem. Now all money required in new bank perfect.

Have about 16500 left in bank , account gets locked again ( back in this time with rental agreement , accounts gets unlocked Golden everything should be fine .

Wrong LOL being proactive i take out 15 thousand leaving about 1500 hundred in the account .Now account gets locked with everyone else , Go in on a wed my number is 561 they are calling 506 so go for breakfast with a buddy i make while waiting, were gone for a hour come back they are calling 511 and its now 12.30 so I am out of there.

Come back the following wed get to the bank for 7 bank opens at 830 first in line get in first served, out in 15 all documents required sent off to whoever , Told will open in 2 weeks now 3 and a half weeks later , go to bank see whats going on. wait a hour to see teller, she now tells me need proof i am paying my rent . I tell her I have been living here for 4 months now you think im living on the streets i have a rental contract. So now im pissed i say just close the account give me my 1500 baht , No can do come back monday.

So 4 months in thailand bank account locked 3 time 5 visits to the bank and still unlocked

Im not saying dont move to thailand if you do open a account with any bank other than bangkok bank
Sep 14, 2025
24 days ago
I just got some very interesting news and wanted to share it here.

Recently, I went back to the Bangkok Bank near Bangkok. Originally, my account had been frozen (like it happened to many others) because the SIM card linked to the account wasn’t in my name, but in my girlfriend’s name. I fixed that issue by switching the SIM card to my name, and after that, my account was unfrozen and has been working fine ever since.

Important detail: When they unfroze my account, they clearly emphasized that the only reason they could do this was because my account had been opened before 2023.

At the same time, I asked—several times, with my Thai wife translating to make sure there was no misunderstanding—what would happen if I switch to a DTV visa, since I am planning to apply for one. They told me very clearly that in that case, they would have to close my account. I already shared this here before.

Today, just out of curiosity, I went to a completely different branch in another city to ask again. This time, the staff told my wife something even more shocking: all foreigner accounts will eventually be closed. Right now, they are working on 2024 accounts, next year it will be 2023, then 2022, and so on. They said it doesn’t matter whether it’s an Education visa, DTV, or any other type—all foreigner accounts are affected.

I honestly find this unbelievable, but that’s exactly what they said, very clearly.

I think this is very important information, and I would really appreciate it if others could go to a branch themselves and ask the same questions to confirm this. Please share your experiences here as well.

This is not meant as a rant or rumor, I am simply sharing what I personally experienced and was told directly. She also said this „update“ is new from this month. So the information from the last branch that everything is fine for accounts before 2023 is old information.

Update: The bank has also recommended the following as the safest visa options right now: Retirement Visa, Marriage Visa, or Work Permit. She mentioned that for now, having a DTV would still be fine until they start closing accounts opened before 2023. However, she advised that switching to a Marriage Visa would be the safest option at this point, based on the new information she has.
Sep 10, 2025
a month ago
Peter ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wise to Bangkok Bank showing as ‘DEP TRF FR E-CH’ instead of ‘FTT’ even after selecting “Funds For Long Term Stay”! WTF BBL thanks for once again making life difficult.
Sep 8, 2025
a month ago
Jay **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a non visa question

Ok so I just deposited a bit of money in my Bank of Bangkok account only to find out it's been frozen. They are asking for a swift verification from my bank in America or embassy... I have not a clue what that is or what to do. Don't even understand why they need anything from my American bank. Any help would be appreciated...thanks
Sep 6, 2025
a month ago
Robert *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am at 3 weeks that my Bangkok Bank account has been locked. I visited with a senior manager yesterday and I want to update you on what's going on if you're still waiting like me:

1. The staff that told me funds would be available in three to 5 business days misspoke. The bank manager brought them into the office and reprimanded them for providing that "wrong information".

2. There were dozens of files of people waiting for their funds to be unlocked many whom came to unlock their accounts ahead of me. There were so many, that the files were stacked on the floor in piles by the date the customer came into the bank.

3. The manager informed me that she and the rest of the staff are working 7 days a week in order to provide the necessary information to the head office in Bangkok for the accounts to be unlocked.

4. "If you want to withdraw your funds immediately you may do so but you will be locked out of opening a future account with Bangkok Bank and any other bank in Thailand." I have not confirmed if this is true or not.

5. High net worth customers were the first to have their accounts unlocked. Go figure.

6. She informed me that it is improbable that the unlocking of the account will take up to three more weeks or longer. Typically, she observes the accounts being unlocked from this day forward within 3 to 5 business days. I've heard that before.

7. Don't shoot the messenger.
Sep 2, 2025
a month ago
Frank **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone do a transfer lately through WISE to Bangkok Bank. I looked at my bankbook at it was coded as a Cash Deposit. I pulled up the transaction on WISE and it clearly states Funds for Thailand. Is Bangkok Bank not coding FTT for foreign transactions anymore?
Aug 28, 2025
a month ago
Eyal *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone know when Bangkok Bank will be kind enough to open the account they locked?

They locked on 19. I was in the branch on 19 also. Said until friday or Monday. Now the call center said 2 weeks. Wtf

How I know when the account will be open??
Aug 28, 2025
a month ago
Daniel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone in here had their Bangkok bank account unfrozen yet? All

My friends and I provided all the paperwork but nobody can access their account.
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