Trying to get a feel for the Bangkok Bank issue. Has anyone, not having the banking app on their phone, had their account frozen?

what happen in thailand

all bank account FREEZE? why we dont have remedy at all

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.

Excuse me: I always read (or maybe I missed the other topics) about problems involving Bangkok Bank. But what about other banks? Has anyone had their account frozen? With which bank? Thanks.

My bangkok bank stopped working again for the second time today.

I opened my account 2 years ago on tourist visa and one year ago I received DTV.

3 months ago my bangkok bank app stopped working and I couldn't use scan,atm or pay for anything. After reading throughly I was prepared for them to close my account and when I came to the branch they said they can unfreeze it if I show them my work contract ( I work online) and one year rental contract which I did and they unfroze my account.

Today they froze it again and after calling the main telephone number they refused to give me any info beside telling me to go to my branch.

I have a feeling that this will be permanent and there is no way out of this.

Strange, I transferred alot money and use the account daily , pay bills and rent and all my expenses throughly. Yet they froze my account second time without giving me any pre notice.

The first time they froze it I was about to pay for a taxi ride and thought that the driver had a problem. Luckily I had some cash in my pocket otherwise it would put in a very uncomfortable situation.

The second time I tried to buy something on lazada and received the same error.

I'm tried of this behavior , they clearly treat us as second class citizens yet they complain the quality tourism is in decline.

Hi all , I have an account with Bangkok Bank but I have been out of Thailand for over a year . I’ve seen there have been issues with people having their accounts frozen, I’ve also read that it doesn’t affect people who are married to a Thai and have an address in Thailand both of which apply to me . Can anyone confirm this to be correct ?

I’ll soon be returning to Thailand but I’m not sure if I should transfer money from my UK account to Bangkok bank or not .

If they were to suspend my account would they give notice ?

I’ve logged into my account’s app and everything seems to be ok at present .

Any advice would be welcome . Thanks .

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

Is anyone else still waiting on a frozen account with Bangkok Bank Central Pattya Branch? I went to the branch on the 28th last month, they copied my passport with current retirement visa, my driver's license, my lease agreement, and my SIM card receipt. I was told they would get back to me in 2 weeks and it's now been 3 weeks. My account was opened last year on a tourist visa and with the help of an agent however I always funded it myself with the 800,000 baht being my own funds and the balance has never dropped below that.

An update for those following the Bangkok Bank debacle.

Yesterday after 31 days of my account being frozen, I made my fourth trip back to the bank and they said they were unlocking the account and I then withdrew the funds and closed the account.

I asked the bank manager and the assistant manager why they had frozen my account. They responded, "we don't know". I asked them if they were personally okay with having their own banking account frozen for 30 days with no notice or explanation. They shrugged and avoided the question and moved on to the next customer.

My experience with Bangkok Bank has been nothing but miserable and alarming. Locking up a customers account and telling them they have 30 days advance notice but in fact had zero notice before locking the account then later providing no explanation why the account is locked breeds uncertainty, insecurity, massive inconvenience for daily living and distrust of the Thai banking system. This is a slap in the face to customers who depend on having access to the funds they entrust to the bank for safe keeping. Don't say you weren't warned about this unethical bank. I'll never go back again.

Regarding bank accounts.

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