My Bangkok bank account was closed today.

I went to the bank because I couldn't withdraw money with my card where the lady announced that she closes my account because I'm on a tourist visa.

I had to sign a hundred of documents and answer some questions then they reimbursed me what I had on my account.

They asked me if I was working, I got pissed for what the hell were they asking me all these questions if they don't want my business anyway but then it dawned on me that they can use this to say that I have some illegal activity and refuse to pay me back so I quickly said that yes I am working.

I guess that's the new law now without announcement.

What was strange that they let me put money on my account and send money to others but I couldn't withdraw any.

So if you are not on a 1 year visa and you cannot use your card don't go complaining cause they will close down your account. That is if you plan to get a long time visa later.

3 minutes ago, PattayaSuperman said:

My Bangkok bank account was closed today.

I went to the bank because I couldn't withdraw money with my card where the lady announced that she closes my account because I'm on a tourist visa.

I had to sign a hundred of documents and answer some questions then they reimbursed me what I had on my account.

They asked me if I was working, I got pissed for what the hell were they asking me all these questions if they don't want my business anyway but then it dawned on me that they can use this to say that I have some illegal activity and refuse to pay me back so I quickly said that yes I am working.

I guess that's the new law now without announcement.

What was strange that they let me put money on my account and send money to others but I couldn't withdraw any.

So if you are not on a 1 year visa and you cannot use your card don't go complaining cause they will close down your account. That is if you plan to get a long time visa later.

Absolute nightmare 

I checked with the branch I bsnk with in June + they said "There would be no problems !"

Sure hope I don't have this issue.  I got 30,000 baht in my account since April.  I arrive January and hope to gat access to that account as I like having a local ATM card to withdraw money when I want and transfer in at better exchange rates from America.

To add insult to injury they charged me 300 baht in August for the usage of the card for the next year and in September they dont let me use the card. Of course they refused to reimburse it. 

I have had a KBank account for 20+ years, from the good old days when they wanted your business. I also have internet banking and transfer money over for our holidays.

We only spend 3-4 months a year in Pattaya now but all this talk of closures made me nervous. When we came home 6 weeks ago I brought most of it back, just left enough to keep it active, I hope. 

I'm sorry to hear this. May I ask when your account was opened? 

I heard about this from several friends, living for 3-6 months per year in Pattaya and now the all have problems with their bank account

5 hours ago, Jackie2013 said:

I'm sorry to hear this. May I ask when your account was opened? 

A little more than a year ago.

This guy explains it well what's happening and I understand it, it is what it is, I gained some experience.

https://youtu.be/J2GTzxFC41Y

 

Edited October 2, 20251 yr by PattayaSuperman

12 hours ago, PattayaSuperman said:

My Bangkok bank account was closed today.

I went to the bank because I couldn't withdraw money with my card where the lady announced that she closes my account because I'm on a tourist visa

Quit puzzled why noone else are rapporting having their account closed due to visa status? Last the banks closed a heap of accounts was when the deadline for updating phone number passed and people queued miles long at the banks. Interesting times ahead for sure but positively it could reduce waiting for bank services significantly for the [legal] account holders

I have 2 dilemmas:

1. Should I go to Kasikorn bank and get them to update their records now that I have a retirement visa. This might have been done anyway when I gave them my new mobile number.

2. I was going to let my retirement visa lapse and resort to METV for future trips of 5 or 6 months but given that banks will require customers to have a LT visa to operate a bank account, maybe I should get an extension when it is due.

12 minutes ago, penboy said:

I have 2 dilemmas:

1. Should I go to Kasikorn bank and get them to update their records now that I have a retirement visa. This might have been done anyway when I gave them my new mobile number.

2. I was going to let my retirement visa lapse and resort to METV for future trips of 5 or 6 months but given that banks will require customers to have a LT visa to operate a bank account, maybe I should get an extension when it is due.

If you have a Thai DL another thing to consider when deciding if METV is the way to go, the retirement visa will get you 5 years on renewal whereas the METV will only get you 2.

As to dilemma #1, my feeling is until you have a problem with the bank, better to not potentially create one by going in and asking questions.

The link from pattaya superman to the youtube video is indeed very good , the guy explaining does a good job.

Frank

This morning I find I am locked out from my SCB app here in UK  . Anyone else have this happen ?  I have the account for many years and a up to date visa  ,   

This also happened to a mate of mine a couple of weeks ago. He spends approx 6 months a year in Thailand in two 3 month spells on tourist visas. The account was opened around a year ago with Kasikorn, they also insisted he took out some health insurance before they would agree to open the account.

He has money going in and out of the account regularly as he owns a condo which he rents out and his rental income goes in this account, he also sends money to his girlfriend from this account.

They froze his account with 90k baht in it but luckily he was in Pattaya at that time, he had to go to the branch where they completed the closing of his account and handed him his cash. 

Another friend who lives in Thailand on a retirement visa also had his account frozen last week (not sure which bank). Both his visa and bank account were arranged by an agency. He lives hundreds of miles from Pattaya but has been told he has to go to the branch in Pattaya to resolve the issue. Not sure exactly what the issue is, might be as simple as updating his phone number or address or maybe they want to close it.

I have 3 accounts with 2 different banks, no issues yet - touch wood. Though several months ago I did update the address details, make sure they had my correct mobile number (as it has changed a couple of times over the years) and move the accounts to local branches were I live.

My advice, if you want to keep your account and you realize that your card is blocked, is to get a retirement visa before going to the bank and then you will have a chance to keep your bank account.

If you go there on a tourist visa they will close it right away.

I met a guy whose account was closed and he managed to reopen it or open a new one without paying the insurance.

And you do have to go to the bank where you opened it in the first place.

2 hours ago, PattayaSuperman said:

My advice, if you want to keep your account and you realize that your card is blocked, is to get a retirement visa before going to the bank and then you will have a chance to keep your bank account.

If you go there on a tourist visa they will close it right away.

I met a guy whose account was closed and he managed to reopen it or open a new one without paying the insurance.

And you do have to go to the bank where you opened it in the first place.

The insurance is NOT required. They push it because they get a commission, and they fill out the application form for you, and tick off that you are perfectly healthy, then something happens, you go to claim on the insurance, and they say "oh, you have pre-existing conditions, but you lied on the form". If they insist that you must have the insurance, tell them you will complete the form and tick off all the boxes that apply that would disqualify you from the policy. 

Question, I got an account at kasikorn account since 2009 with absolutely nothing in it for a few years. Getting the monthly email about having a 0 baht balance but planning on using the account again. 
When I return to Thailand I was planning to go to a branch in Pattaya and explain to them that I got a new phone number and need a new bank card. I’ll be arriving on the DTV visa but from what I read it’s a big no go for bank accounts. What’s the solution here? Forget about the account and find some agent to open a new account ? 

I do not know if my account with Bangkok Bank as I also do not have long term visa

However ,Bangkok Bank stated that the minimum amount to keep it open was 2,200- 2500 baht .

5 hours ago, sordidmike said:

Question, I got an account at kasikorn account since 2009 with absolutely nothing in it for a few years. Getting the monthly email about having a 0 baht balance but planning on using the account again. 
When I return to Thailand I was planning to go to a branch in Pattaya and explain to them that I got a new phone number and need a new bank card. I’ll be arriving on the DTV visa but from what I read it’s a big no go for bank accounts. What’s the solution here? Forget about the account and find some agent to open a new account ? 

Yes, DTV is considered as a tourist visa, cant have a bank account with it.

Unfortunately you have to decide what is more important for you: to have a Thai bank account or the money that you will have to spend to get a long term visa. And a long term visa every year. I heard an agent cost now 50 000 baht.

For me the choice was simple : I dont really need that much of that Thai bank account, I can get away with Wise + cash.

Sounds like when I arrive my account will be closed on me.  I have 30,000 baht in it and assume they will give me that money but it irks me that I can no longer transfer money and use the ATMs for free.

 

8 hours ago, freedom42 said:

The insurance is NOT required. They push it because they get a commission, and they fill out the application form for you, and tick off that you are perfectly healthy, then something happens, you go to claim on the insurance, and they say "oh, you have pre-existing conditions, but you lied on the form". If they insist that you must have the insurance, tell them you will complete the form and tick off all the boxes that apply that would disqualify you from the policy. 

This happened to a guy I know managed too open a  bkk bank savings account. But had to pay for heath insurance!!

cost £1400  like yo said. They ticked off perfectly healthy.  But he has 4 pre existing conditions. One a heart valve

they said it’s ok because it’s historically happen in uk !!

good luck with that if making claim 

did tell him but he say bank know better 

2 hours ago, nunchuck said:

This happened to a guy I know managed too open a  bkk bank savings account. But had to pay for heath insurance!!

cost £1400  like yo said. They ticked off perfectly healthy.  But he has 4 pre existing conditions. One a heart valve

they said it’s ok because it’s historically happen in uk !!

good luck with that if making claim 

did tell him but he say bank know better 

Really? I heard numbers like 5,000 baht for insurance from bank in order to open an account?

On 09/10/2025 at 17:13, shagwell said:

This also happened to a mate of mine a couple of weeks ago. He spends approx 6 months a year in Thailand in two 3 month spells on tourist visas. The account was opened around a year ago with Kasikorn, they also insisted he took out some health insurance before they would agree to open the account.

He has money going in and out of the account regularly as he owns a condo which he rents out and his rental income goes in this account, he also sends money to his girlfriend from this account.

They froze his account with 90k baht in it but luckily he was in Pattaya at that time, he had to go to the branch where they completed the closing of his account and handed him his cash. 

Another friend who lives in Thailand on a retirement visa also had his account frozen last week (not sure which bank). Both his visa and bank account were arranged by an agency. He lives hundreds of miles from Pattaya but has been told he has to go to the branch in Pattaya to resolve the issue. Not sure exactly what the issue is, might be as simple as updating his phone number or address or maybe they want to close it.

I have 3 accounts with 2 different banks, no issues yet - touch wood. Though several months ago I did update the address details, make sure they had my correct mobile number (as it has changed a couple of times over the years) and move the accounts to local branches were I live.

They shouldn't have closed it as I've heard from multiple sources that owning a condo qualifies you to have/keep your Thai bank account.

10 hours ago, sordidmike said:

Question, I got an account at kasikorn account since 2009 with absolutely nothing in it for a few years. Getting the monthly email about having a 0 baht balance but planning on using the account again. 
When I return to Thailand I was planning to go to a branch in Pattaya and explain to them that I got a new phone number and need a new bank card. I’ll be arriving on the DTV visa but from what I read it’s a big no go for bank accounts. What’s the solution here? Forget about the account and find some agent to open a new account ? 

Your Kasikorn with nothing in it for years is finished, even if you still get emails. I know because I also had one with nothing in it for years and they told me it can't be reopened. They also won't open a new one for you on a DTV. Even agents are not able to right now, maybe one called Thai Visa center that charges a huge amount like 25k-50k baht to open an account in Bangkok.