Steve Wigdel, that’s still an overgeneralization. There is no blanket policy at Bangkok Bank (or other Thai banks) to automatically freeze accounts simply because someone is on a tourist visa or DTV, nor are accounts frozen just by visiting a branch.

What has changed is much stricter KYC/AML enforcement. In the past year especially, banks have flagged and reviewed many accounts due to scam-related activity, mule-account crackdowns, crypto-related transactions, and unclear or suspicious overseas transfers.

When an account is flagged, it can be temporarily restricted while documentation is reviewed.

Visa type is only one factor among many. Account history, transaction patterns, source of funds, and the customer’s ability to clearly explain usage matter far more. Branch discretion and staff interpretation also vary widely, which is where most of the confusion comes from.

Long-term visas (marriage, retirement, work) are obviously lower risk, but there is no automatic “tourist/DTV = frozen accou

You’re really overthinking it 🙂

This has nothing to do with any visa, nor with the actuall crackdown.

You opened the account with your old passport, and now either the passport number changed or the expiry date passed (or both). When that happens, Thai banks automatically restrict app functions because the ID on file is no longer valid. The visa type is irrelevant. Once the bank account is opened, it’s opened. What matters for KYC is only that your ID details are valid.

It’s just a routine KYC update. Go to the branch with:

- your new passport

- the old passport if you still have it

- your bank book / card

They’ll update the passport number and new expiry date in their system, change your physical card (if expired), and everything goes back to normal. This happens all the time, nothing suspicious, nothing special 😄

BTW, a device change has nothing to do with KYC.

In most cases you can transfer the banking app from one phone to another. Sometimes the bank just asks you to confirm it at one of their ATMs with your card.