How well protected is your Money in Thailand? From August 2021, only 1,000,000 Baht insured per Bank. (2024)

About Thai Banking Deposits Insurance

Apparently after the Asian economic crisis of 1997, bank deposits at Thai banks were fully insured.

A Deposit Protection Act was passed in early 2008 and implemented towards the end of that year. From then on only limited government insurance for deposits at Thai (private) banks is in effect.

Now the original proposal was as follows and initially was still quite generous :
A blanket guarantee of deposits in the starting year, Bt100 million per person per bank in the second year, Bt50 million in the third, Bt20 million in the fourth and Bt1 million in the fifth, which was supposed to start somewhere in the middle of 2012.
However, the original proposals got amended a few years later.We will forego these changes, but below are the latest data as decided by the Thai goverment in April 2016 :

Up to 10 August 2016 deposits were protected up to 25 million baht.
Thereafter, protection will be in place for 15 million baht in deposits between Aug 11, 2016 and Aug 10, 2018; for 10 million between Aug 11, 2018 and Aug 10, 2019; for 5 million between Aug 11, 2019 and Aug 10, 2020; and for 1 million by Aug 11, 2020.

LATEST : In April 2020, an official of the Deposit Protection Agency announced that the period of coverage for 5 million Thai Baht, was EXTENDED TO 10 AUGUST 2021 (an additional year). It was announced indeed b the Deposit Protection Agency on 4 August 2021, that from 11 August 2021 onwards only sums up to 1 million Thai Baht (per bank) will enjoy deposit insurance protection.

(a report by TMB Analytics in 2012 indicated that 80% of deposits would become unprotected at a max protection level of 1 million baht ; likely this still holds true at the moment)

To be on the safe side, customers will need to open bank accounts with different banks, if they want to have all or at least a substantial amount of their deposits covered. As from 11 August 2021, anything above 1 million Thai Baht (per bank) is not covered. So having more than that amount in a particular bank, will put the customer at risk.

This creates redundancy and inefficiency, inconvenience to customers, and larger overheads for banks (probably passed on to customers). A reduction in bank deposit insurance coverage also creates less trust in the banking system overall.

The law in its present form assumes that customers can make the right decisions, only depositing their money with banks that are solvent and reliable. However, this is a fallacy, since even well educated economists and experts in the field (as judged by the 2008 financial crisis) are not capable of adequately judging the solvency or good management of banks.

Figures provided by TMB Bank in March 2012 indicated that more money was flowing into the government banks. The Finance Ministry is the major shareholder of these banks, and would be liable to provide a blanket guarantee against bankruptcy. This ncludes banks such as the Government Housing Bank, and the Government Savings Bank. Branches are few and between, but can be found in Bangkok and around Thailand. These banks do not offer all the services provided by commercial banks. An exception may be Krung Thai Bank, which also has a subsidiary of the Bank of Thailand as its main shareholder (majority owner), is a large bank with many branches, and provides most common bank activities. Your money could be safer with any of the banks mentioned.

So one recommendation could be : deposit the bulk of your assets with government banks, and have a current account or savings account with a commercial bank for daily expenses.

Deposits Protection Agency (DPA)

How are deposits guaranteed? A so-called Deposits Protection Agency (DPA) has been established, that collects money from banks. For a few years the banks were 'taxed' at 0.4% of deposits, actually a big chunk of money.
As of the beginning of 2012, the Deposits Protection Agency, had accumulated 80 billion baht. However, even the smallest of banks in Thailand likely have more deposits.

At present, since around 2012, the banks are taxed at 0.47% of deposits, but only 0.01% is going to the protection of deposits. The bulk (0.46%) is used to pay off debt incurred during the financial crisis of 1997. As of 2017, the amount of debt to be paid off still stood at about 1 trillion Thai baht (about 30 billion U.S. Dollar). It is estimated that this debt will be repaid within the next 15 years.

It was reported in the Bangkok Post of 1 October 2017, that 'section 19 of the Bank of Thailand Act' was amended. It now states that financial institutions are mutually responsible when financially ailing peers need to be bailed out! Bank of Thailand governor Veerathai is quoted : "In this way financial institutions will take care of one another by not letting any institution to be involved in activities that could cause risk to the system".
We will possible have to wait a bit to find out how this will work out in practice.

Important note

For protection, deposits need to be in Thai baht (foreign currency accounts are not covered), held in an account in Thailand. Also accounts in Thai Baht by foreign banks, located in Thailand, are covered. At least once I noticed that reportedly also deposits in baht by depositors residing outside Thailand are excluded (please check!).

Please check accuracy with your Thai bank and financial adviser, if the above is applicable to you.

It is worthwhile to check out this of the Deposit Protection Agency of Thailand.

It states the following are excluded from this insurance (we paraphrase) :

  • Foreign currency deposit accounts
  • (SSF, RMF) Money invested in bonds, debentures, mutual and tax-saving funds
  • Deposits in cooperatives
  • Cashier’s cheques and bills of exchange
  • Electronic money (e-money)
  • Savings insurance products offered by insurance companies
  • Foreigners with Thai baht deposit accounts at member financial institutions in Thailand are also protected under the Deposit Protection Agency Act. However, “Non-Resident Baht Accounts” as defined in the Exchange Control Act B.E. 2485 (1942) are not protected. Note : we read a translation of this act in English, could not figure out what kind of special account this actually is, but it seems something to do with currency transactions.
  • Source : reports in Thai media, especially the Bangkok Post.

    How well protected is your Money in Thailand? From August 2021, only 1,000,000 Baht insured per Bank. (2024)

    FAQs

    How well protected is your Money in Thailand? From August 2021, only 1,000,000 Baht insured per Bank.? ›

    From August 11, 2021 Thai Baht Deposits are protected under the Deposit Protection Agency Act up to a maximum of one million baht per one depositor per financial institution.

    Are bank deposits in Thailand insured? ›

    Foreigners with Thai baht deposit accounts at member financial institutions in Thailand are also protected under the Deposit Protection Agency Act.

    What happens if you have more than 250k in the bank? ›

    Bottom line. Any individual or entity that has more than $250,000 in deposits at an FDIC-insured bank should see to it that all monies are federally insured. It's not only diligent savers and high-net-worth individuals who might need extra FDIC coverage.

    How much money can I deposit in the bank without being reported? ›

    Banks must report cash deposits totaling $10,000 or more

    When banks receive cash deposits of more than $10,000, they're required to report it by electronically filing a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). This federal requirement is outlined in the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).

    How do I know if my bank is safe? ›

    To find out if your bank is FDIC-insured, you can contact the bank and ask, look for an FDIC sign at the bank's premises, call the FDIC at 877-275-3342, or look up the bank in the FDIC BankFind directory. NCUA insurance.

    Which is the safest bank in Thailand? ›

    1. Kasikorn Bank
    • One of the country's largest banks in terms of assets, deposits, and loans. They offer consumer, commercial, and corporate banking;
    • There are about 830 branches in Thailand;
    • Total Assets of Bt4,188 billion;
    • Employs over 18,000 people.
    Mar 25, 2021

    What is bank guarantee in Thailand? ›

    Bank guarantee or demand guarantee is a basic financial instrument issued by a bank under the commitment to pay maximum amount money arising merely upon making a demand for payment in a stipulated form and presenting documents as prescribed in the demand guarantee within the validity period.

    Can a bank account hold a million dollars? ›

    For example, if you're opening a certificate of deposit (CD) account, the bank may cap those deposits at a certain amount. Depending on the bank, the maximum deposit may be as high as $1 million.

    Is $100000 in your account yours to keep if a bank mistakenly deposits it? ›

    Unfortunately, the money isn't yours unless you made the deposit or if someone else made the deposit on your behalf. The only time you can keep money that is deposited into your account is when the deposit was intended to be made into your account. So, if the deposit was a mistake, you can't keep the money.

    How do millionaires insure their money? ›

    Millionaires can insure their money by depositing funds in FDIC-insured accounts, NCUA-insured accounts, through IntraFi Network Deposits, or through cash management accounts. They may also allocate some of their cash to low-risk investments, such as Treasury securities or government bonds.

    What is the $3000 rule? ›

    Rule. The requirement that financial institutions verify and record the identity of each cash purchaser of money orders and bank, cashier's, and traveler's checks in excess of $3,000.

    What's the most cash you can deposit without being flagged? ›

    Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.

    What is the safest place to put your money? ›

    Savings accounts are a safe place to keep your money because all deposits made by consumers are guaranteed by the FDIC for bank accounts or the NCUA for credit union accounts. Certificates of deposit (CDs) issued by banks and credit unions also carry deposit insurance.

    Which bank is the safest in USA? ›

    5 Safest Banks in the U.S.
    BankAssets
    JP Morgan Chase$3.2 trillion
    Bank of America$2.42 trillion
    Citi$1.77 trillion
    Wells Fargo$1.72 trillion
    1 more row
    Apr 21, 2023

    Which banks are at risk? ›

    These Banks Are the Most Vulnerable
    • First Republic Bank (FRC) - Get Free Report. ...
    • Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) - Get Free Report. ...
    • KeyCorp (KEY) - Get Free Report. ...
    • Comerica (CMA) - Get Free Report. ...
    • Truist Financial (TFC) - Get Free Report. ...
    • Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) - Get Free Report.
    Mar 16, 2023

    Can the government take money from your bank account in a crisis? ›

    When Does the IRS Seize Bank Accounts? So, in short, yes, the IRS can legally take money from your bank account. Now, when does the IRS take money from your bank account? As we stated, before the IRS seizes a bank account, they will make several attempts to collect debts owed by the taxpayer.

    Which American banks are in Thailand? ›

    Foreign banks (North American)
    • American Express Bank.
    • BofA Securities.
    • Citibank Thailand.
    • JPMorgan Chase.

    Can a US citizen open a bank account in Thailand? ›

    In principle, a foreigner who has no proof of residence in Thailand can only open a non-resident bank account; however, some Thai-based banks may, depending on their internal policy and discretion, accommodate requests from non-resident customers in opening a resident account with no proof of residence.

    Can you open a Thai bank account from the US? ›

    Eligibility for opening a Thai bank account

    You can open a bank account in Thailand if you're on a non-immigrant visa or extension of stay, a visa exemption stamp, or short-stay visa, and have an established residence in Thailand (more on this soon).

    What does a bank guarantee cover? ›

    A Bank Guarantee is an undertaking by the Bank that payments to your customers and suppliers will be met, without tying up working capital. The Bank holds your cash or assets as security for the guarantee. You provide your supplier with the guarantee instead of cash.

    Does the bank guarantee your money? ›

    Deposit insurance is one of the significant benefits of having an account at an FDIC-insured bank—it's how the FDIC protects your money in the unlikely event of a bank failure. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.

    What does bank guarantee cover under? ›

    Under a bank guarantee, if the buyer is unable to make the payment to the seller or creditor, then the bank pays the fixed amount to the seller as the obligations of the contract are not met. On the other hand, under a letter of credit, the bank makes the payment to the seller once he or she delivers.

    How to protect a million dollars? ›

    Is it Really Possible to Save One Million Dollars?
    1. Choose the right college degree. ...
    2. Start saving and investing early. ...
    3. Maintain a good credit score. ...
    4. Use debt to your advantage. ...
    5. Buy a home. ...
    6. Invest in assets when they are cheap. ...
    7. Create multiple income streams. ...
    8. Invest in real estate.
    Feb 14, 2022

    Can I deposit $100 million dollars? ›

    DDA/MMDA allows you to place funds into demand deposit and/or money market deposit accounts. You can deposit up to $100 million for each account type.

    Can banks seize your money if economy fails? ›

    The short answer is no. Banks cannot take your money without your permission, at least not legally. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures deposits up to $250,000 per account holder, per bank.

    How much money is too much to keep in one bank? ›

    How much is too much cash in savings? An amount exceeding $250,000 could be considered too much cash to have in a savings account. That's because $250,000 is the limit for standard deposit insurance coverage per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category.

    How much money looks suspicious to deposit? ›

    The $10,000 Rule

    Ever wondered how much cash deposit is suspicious? The Rule, as created by the Bank Secrecy Act, declares that any individual or business receiving more than $10 000 in a single or multiple cash transactions is legally obligated to report this to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

    How much money can I take out of the bank without being flagged? ›

    Thanks to the Bank Secrecy Act, financial institutions are required to report withdrawals of $10,000 or more to the federal government. Banks are also trained to look for customers who may be trying to skirt the $10,000 threshold.

    Where is the safest place to keep millions of dollars? ›

    Treasury Bills, Notes and Bonds

    U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be about the safest investments on earth. That's because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Government bonds offer fixed terms and fixed interest rates.

    What bank do millionaires keep their money? ›

    Millionaires tend to turn to private banks for a variety of reasons. Since they offer a wide range of financial products, services, and expertise under one roof, the element of convenience can be very enticing. There are also several perks and more favorable options and rates, making the bank very attractive.

    How to insure a million dollars at a bank? ›

    Theoretically, you could insure $1 million or more by opening multiple accounts and maxing out your FDIC coverage limits. For instance, you could open four savings accounts at four different banks with $250,000 each.

    At what dollar amount could a transaction become suspicious? ›

    Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), financial institutions are required to assist U.S. government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering, and: Keep records of cash purchases of negotiable instruments; File reports of cash transactions exceeding $10,000 (daily aggregate amount); and.

    How much cash can you withdraw without reporting to IRS? ›

    If you withdraw $10,000 or more, federal law requires the bank to report it to the IRS in an effort to prevent money laundering and tax evasion.

    What bank transactions are reported to the IRS? ›

    Note that under a separate reporting requirement, banks and other financial institutions report cash purchases of cashier's checks, treasurer's checks and/or bank checks, bank drafts, traveler's checks and money orders with a face value of more than $10,000 by filing currency transaction reports.

    Can the government see how much money is in your bank account? ›

    The Short Answer: Yes. Share: The IRS probably already knows about many of your financial accounts, and the IRS can get information on how much is there.

    Do wire transfers over $10000 get reported to the IRS? ›

    What is the law regarding wire transfers and the IRS? Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) of 1970, financial institutions are required to report certain transactions to the IRS. This includes wire transfers over $10,000, which are subject to reporting under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C.

    Can I live off interest on a million dollars? ›

    Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

    Where can I get 7% interest on my money? ›

    7% interest isn't something banks offer in the US, but one credit union, Landmark CU, pays 7.50% interest, though there are major requirements and stipulations.

    Where is a good place to hide money besides the bank? ›

    Here are the Top 10 secret hiding places for money we've found:
    • The Tank. There's plenty of room in the toilet's water tank for a jar or some other watertight container stuffed with cash or jewelry. ...
    • The Freezer. ...
    • The Pantry. ...
    • The Bookshelves. ...
    • Under the Floorboards. ...
    • Old Suitcases. ...
    • Closets. ...
    • Bureaus.
    Mar 8, 2023

    Which banks are in trouble in 2023? ›

    Among these banks were Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank, which collapsed in March 2023 Additionally, undercapitalization, loan quality, and losses on investment securities are common reasons why banks may fail.

    What is the #1 most trusted bank in America? ›

    An index score of 100 is average for bank brands. For the third consecutive year, Chase was the overall most trusted bank in the study.
    ...
    Most Trusted Banks.
    BankTrust Rating
    US Bank81.1 | **
    Truist79.3 | **
    Union Bank77.3 | **
    Wells Fargo76.1 | **
    11 more rows
    Mar 28, 2023

    What banks are too big to fail in the US? ›

    Companies Considered Too Big to Fail

    Bank of America Corp. The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. Citigroup Inc. The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

    What bank has the worst reputation? ›

    Wells Fargo & Company was ranked as the bank with the worst reputation in America, according to the 2020 (and 2019!) Harris Poll Reputation Quotient Rankings.

    Which banks have a bad reputation? ›

    The 10 Worst-Rated Banks in America
    • Wells Fargo.
    • Citibank.
    • Capital One.
    • Discover Bank.
    • Flagstar Bank.
    • Bank of America.
    • Comerica Bank.
    • First National Bank of Omaha.
    4 days ago

    How many banks in the US are failing? ›

    Recently, a report posted on the Social Science Research Network found that 186 banks in the United States are at risk of failure or collapse due to rising interest rates and a high proportion of uninsured deposits.

    Is my money safe in the bank 2023? ›

    Yes, if your money is in a U.S. bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and you have less than $250,000 there. If the bank fails, you'll get your money back. Nearly all banks are FDIC insured.

    Should I withdraw my money from the bank 2023? ›

    Despite the recent uncertainty, experts don't recommend withdrawing cash from your account. Keeping your money in financial institutions rather than in your home is safer, especially when the amount is insured. “It's not a time to pull your money out of the bank,” Silver said.

    What happens to your money if a bank collapses? ›

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures bank accounts up to $250,000 per depositor, per account category. 1 So, unless your bank is not insured by the FDIC or you have deposited more than the FDIC limit, your money is safe if your bank fails.

    Does FDIC cover foreign deposits? ›

    Deposits in Insured Branches of Foreign Banks (12 C.F.R. § 330.3(d)) Deposits in an insured branch of a foreign bank that are payable by contract in the U.S. are entitled to FDIC insurance coverage. The coverage limits are the same as for United States IDIs.

    How safe are banks in Thailand? ›

    In general, your THB deposits are considered to be safe due to the Thai government's guarantee: Funds are insured to up to THB25 million per customer per bank, though at the time of writing, it seems that the amount will be lowered to THB1 million, effective August 11, 2021.

    Are foreign currency deposits insured? ›

    Foreign-Currency Deposits

    On the other hand, providing credible coverage for deposits denominated in a foreign currency requires the deposit insurer to be protected against foreign-currency risk.

    What happens if you step on money in Thailand? ›

    Avoid stepping on Thai money

    Either way, it is actually illegal to step on any of the Thai currency, the Baht. This is because, you guessed it, the King's face is printed and engraved on the Thai notes and coins.

    What are 3 things not insured by FDIC? ›

    Investment products that are not deposits, such as mutual funds, annuities, life insurance policies and stocks and bonds, are not covered by FDIC deposit insurance.

    How much money is safe under FDIC? ›

    Deposit insurance is one of the significant benefits of having an account at an FDIC-insured bank—it's how the FDIC protects your money in the unlikely event of a bank failure. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.

    Is it best to take cash to Thailand? ›

    Taking cash & cards to Thailand

    We recommend that you change some money into Baht on arrival and it is advisable to carry local currency in small denominations (20, 50 and 100 Baht notes) for tipping and the purchase of small items.

    Is it better to withdraw money in Thailand? ›

    Yes, you will normally get better exchange rates in Thailand than in your home country. Exchange cash at an exchange office to get the best rates. Withdrawing cash using your card may cost you a fee.

    What deposits are not insured by the FDIC? ›

    What is NOT covered? The FDIC does not insure money invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance policies, annuities or municipal securities, even if these investments are purchased at an insured bank.

    Is a joint account FDIC insured up to $500 000? ›

    Insurance Limit

    Each co-owner of a joint account is insured up to $250,000 for the combined amount of his or her interests in all joint accounts at the same IDI.

    Do banks face foreign exchange risk? ›

    A bank that has more foreign currency liabilities than foreign currency assets is likely to face a negative shock to its net worth and may contract lending in the event of home currency depreciation.

    How much cash can I take to Thailand from USA? ›

    Any person who brings or takes an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding USD20,000 or its equivalent out of or into Thailand shall declare such amount of foreign currency to a Customs Officer.

    How much US dollars can I bring into Thailand? ›

    Currency restrictions

    The import and export of local currency is limited to THB฿50,000 per person or THB฿100,000 per family. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, but amounts over US$20,000 must be declared.

    What is the best way to carry money in Thailand? ›

    Our first point is an important one. Using a prepaid card in Thailand is a great way to avoid the fees and costly exchange rates that often come with ordinary debit and credit cards, not to mention the theft risk of carrying around large amounts of cash. Our best prepaid card is the Wise card.

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