Bangkok Bank Chaos

[Dodger]

Bangkok Bank is apparently freezing accounts held by foreigners without long-term visas, triggering outrage. According to several postings on Facebook the crackdown, apparently linked to new SIM ID rules and scam prevention efforts, has left many visitors in Phuket and Pattaya facing financial chaos.

I witnessed this chaos myself after sitting in Bangkok Bank S. Pattaya waiting to do my routine banking. When I first arrived shortly before opening (8:30 AM) there was a large flock of farang huddled around the doors and they didn't look happy.

After listening to some of their predicaments it appeared as if most of the irate farang were not here on long term visa's and/or used visa agents to manipulate the 800,000 baht scheme. Understanding of course that tourists are not supposed to be permitted to open bank accounts anyway.

I'm going to mark this all down as hearsay because at no time have I seen anything in writing from Bangkok Bank regarding the closing of accounts - nor did I experience any problems doing my own personal banking. What I did witness was one American farang slamming his hand down on a desk and telling bank staff to just close his damn account and give him his money. He then huffed out of the bank with 900,000 baht in a large envelope.

I'm left with the impression that BKK Bank, Immigration, and the Visa Agents who work directly with the banks on visa matters are tangled up. And that's putting it mildly.

[Gaybutton]

Even if tourists are not supposed to be permitted to open Thai bank accounts, since the bank did open accounts for them, it doesn't seem right to me to just freeze their accounts without prior warning. I have seen no warning from Bangkok Bank or any other bank and no announcement in the media. I wonder if other banks are also doing this.

In my own case, since I do hold the retirement visa I have had no problem with Bangkok Bank doing my usual transactions and transfers greater than 50,000 baht. I also have never been asked anything about my telephone ID.

At least, if nothing else, these people can get their money out in cash. Of course that isn't much help if they want to pay for anything in places that no longer even accept cash.

In my opinion, while I agree with Thailand trying to put a stop to scams and fraud, causing serious problems for perfectly innocent people is hardly the right way to go about it.

[2lz2p]

I don't know about the issue with those holding Tourist or Visa Exempt having Bangkok Bank Accounts. But for those doing annual renewals for retirement (using 800k in the bank) or marriage (using 400k in the bank), Bangkok Bank has very recently imposed special requirements regarding getting the Bank letter verifying their accounts.

If the money has not been on deposit 4 months before requesting the letter (Immigration only requires 2 months before applying for the extension) then they will "lock" the account for the next 4 months (apparently allowing transactions but not any that will result in the balance dropping below that threshold). See https://pcec.club/LATEST-IMMIGRATION-INFORMATION for the Pattaya City Expats Club announcement along with a copy of the apparent Bangkok Bank notice.

BUT that is not all. I have had 4 separate reports over the past 3 days from Expats using the 65k per month transfers into their Bangkok Bank account. Immigration requires a 2nd bank letter listing the foreign deposits to the their account. All 4 said that Bangkok Bank staff (at different branches) have told them they no longer issue such letters. I have asked those giving me the report to keep me posted especially as to what they incur at Immigration without the letter - each are due to renew their extensions soon.

[DragonMaster]

Reminds me of the saying, “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
A lot of what is going on is nothing new. I also bank with BBK’s S Pattaya office. Every day, there’s an older Thai lady there herding a group of expats, mostly from the UK, who are there getting bank letters to renew their extensions. They mumble and complain, but the simple truth is, if they can’t afford to follow the rules, then they should not be here. Using a visa agent to deposit funds into your account just so you can renew is illegal, and if immigration discovers that you have done it, you risk having your extension cancelled. There is a lot of complaining about banks freezing accounts, and denying tourists from opening bank accounts. Thai officials have clearly stated that visitors holding Tourist Visa’s are not elgible to open bank accounts, including the current DTV visa, which is considered a tourist visa. Perhaps when the new government is settled, things will change, perhaps not.

The government has already stated they are cracking down on visa agents, and I hope they do soon. Biometric data including facial scans for mobile banking is nothing new either, just being enforced. Like Dodger, I have not had any issues with BBK whatsoever. In fact, another issue I see, is the supposed limits on bank withdraws. BBK put out a message sometime back, which shows up on the mobile banking app, that effective Aug 17th, customers can pay bills, top up etc. up to the full daily limits.
Perhaps, when things settle down, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and The Ministry of the Interior, will finally reconcile the visa differences and require ALL long term visa holders to obtain and prove that they have adequate health insurance during their stay here. For anyone who wants to rave on about this, just remember, this is Thailand, their country, their rules. If you are here, you are a guest, not entitled royalty. Some forget that.

[Jun]

Bangkok Bank is apparently freezing accounts held by foreigners without long-term visas, triggering outrage. According to several postings on Facebook the crackdown, apparently linked to new SIM ID rules and scam prevention efforts.

So was this the rule where they require the name on the SIM to be the same as the name on the bank account ?
That seems quite a sensible rule to me.
If that's all that is causing bank accounts to be frozen, the customers should do the obvious & get a new SIM card.

[Dodger]

BUT that is not all. I have had 4 separate reports over the past 3 days from Expats using the 65k per month transfers into their Bangkok Bank account. Immigration requires a 2nd bank letter listing the foreign deposits to the their account. All 4 said that Bangkok Bank staff (at different branches) have told them they no longer issue such letters. I have asked those giving me the report to keep me posted especially as to what they incur at Immigration without the letter - each are due to renew their extensions soon.

I'll be anxious to hear how Immigration is responding to this as well, as I'm heading into Immigration on Sept 24 for my extension.

Thanks in advance.

[Gaybutton]

I'll be anxious to hear how Immigration is responding to this as well, as I'm heading into Immigration on Sept 24 for my extension.

Has anyone thought of calling Bangkok Bank's main office, explaining the problem about the second bank letter, and asking how to handle it?

[Dodger]

Has anyone thought of calling Bangkok Bank's main office, explaining the problem about the second bank letter, and asking how to handle it?

All in due course if it becomes necessary.

[Jun]

From what I heard, Bangkok Bank was where the agencies go for these bent retirement visas where they briefly deposit 800k into an account.

[Gaybutton]

From what I heard, Bangkok Bank was where the agencies go for these bent retirement visas where they briefly deposit 800k into an account.

Whether they are or not, I don't think those who use visa agencies have much to worry about. I will be amazed if they don't manage to find a way around whatever the latest rules are.