PATTAYA, Thailand – A viral social media post has sparked alarm in Pattaya, revealing that a large number of Chinese tourists are rushing to withdraw cash from several commercial banks after finding their bank cards unexpectedly frozen. The reported reason: daily cash withdrawals exceeding 50,000 baht.
To withdraw more than this daily limit, banks are now reportedly requiring tourists to provide proof of income and supporting documents. As a result, some Chinese visitors have opted to cancel their ATM cards altogether.
Ms. Chutima Jiramongkol, President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, expressed concern that the incident could severely impact Pattaya’s tourism sector. She warned that the number of Chinese tourists visiting the area has already declined and could continue to fall if the confusion and panic persist.
She called on Thai banks to clearly and consistently communicate policies to international customers, especially concerning cash withdrawal limits and account regulations. Miscommunication or incomplete information has reportedly caused significant distress among many foreign customers.
“Banks must coordinate to find solutions and ensure frontline staff communicate transparently with clients,” Ms. Chutima said. “This includes clarifying conditions for withdrawing more than 50,000 baht per day or making frequent transactions that could trigger fraud alerts. It’s also important to explain the strict requirements for foreigners opening bank accounts—especially when they claim the funds are for purchasing property, which would require official documentation such as a sale agreement.”
