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traveller, 27.12.2025 (4 months ago)

Bangkok Bank: mass accounts blocking We have 2 bank accounts in Bangkok Bank, they was opened about 3 years ago by tourist stamps, without any visa (paid for insurance). In the summer 2025 both was "soft blocked" - everything works, but when you try yo change allowed limit of the debit card in the app - it says "Please go to the branch with the passport and passbook to verify your identity".

We saw many stories in Internet in English sources, that starting from autumn 2025 there are many accounts was closed, and in that case you can only visit the branch and get your cache. That mostly related with scandal in Pattaya branch, where scammers from China opened many accounts. However, nobody exactly knows what happening. They close accounts even with DTV visa holders, only long non-tourist visas now allowed.

I read opinion that sooner or later, all bank accounts, opened by tourists, will be closed in Thailand, and keep money in Thai banks is bad idea.

However, in Russian forums I saw many cases, when people came to bank, and successfully updated their details even by tourist stamp. We have DTV visas, so while staying in Chiangmai, decided to visit bank.

In my case, I also got new international passport. In Bangkok Bank branch they said, that I have to visit Samui, where I opened account. I tried another branch, the said that they will request confirmation from my branch and then will update my details, 1-2 days needed. I answered that we planing to visit Samui soon, so better I do it there. In both branches personal was quick and kind, they asked maybe I have problems with bank access, and need help with getting money from account.

In second case, only identity verification was needed. We came to one of this branch, they asked to put signature, scanned first page of passport, activated face identification in smartphone app, took the face pictures, and that's it. The app was fully unlocked immediately. Less than 10 minutes for all.

It seems it is just the part of KYC (know your customer) policy, and they don't have intention to close all tourist bank accounts. In both cases, they didn't check what type of visa we now have in our passports. Other man came with new passport with tourist stamp and hotel as current address, and his data was also successfully renewed without any restrictions.







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