Last updated on April 12, 2026
There are several reasons why you may need to be moving money to Thailand from abroad. You may want to transfer your savings for personal use. You might also move pension payments or deposit money into a Thai account for visa needs. There are many other reasons to do this as well. Depending on your needs and the location of your funds, there are various methods to move money into Thailand.
Table of Contents
1. Cash Withdrawal (using ATM cards, credit cards,etc.)
The simplest way to moving money to Thailand from abroad, at least in small amounts, is by withdrawing from a Thai ATM. You can use any card on the Cirrus or Plus systems, as long as your PIN is 4 digits long. Currently, all Thai banks charge an ATM service fee of 220 THB per transaction for foreign cards (Thailand Life Blog) (ExpatDen). You also withdraw funds in Baht, which means some loss on the exchange rate. Additionally, your home bank may charge international ATM use fees, which can range from $0 to $6 USD for most banks. AEON ATMs charge a lower fee of 150 THB but may have higher exchange rates (Thailand Life Blog).
Another limit of using an ATM is the maximum withdrawal of 20,000 THB or 25,000 THB per transaction. This is the ATM limit, not your account’s limit. It is more cost-effective to withdraw larger amounts each time (ExpatDen).
You can use international credit cards at Thai ATMs. However, most machines only accept Visa or Mastercard. All the fees mentioned before still apply. Cash withdrawals on credit cards usually earn daily interest. It’s best to pay off balances quickly. Wizard Mastercards let you withdraw up to 25,000 THB each time. This makes them a bit easier to use than regular ATM cards.
When you take money from a Thai ATM, it will ask if you want to “continue with conversion” or “continue without conversion.” Always select “continue without conversion” for best exchange rate. Do note also that withdrawal in another province might involved some fees around 10 to 20 baht. I personally find this ridiculous and just trying to get more money for clients. An ATM card can also be 250 baht per year in Thailand.
2. Credit cards
At big bank branches, you can use your credit card and passport at the counter. You can withdraw up to 50,000 THB in one transaction. There is a processing fee that is like a single ATM fee. Each bank has its own rules regarding the maximum transaction amount and fees, so check beforehand. If you use a foreign credit card, you should not be touched by the new laws in Thailand affecting money earn abroad. It is probably a good way for moving money to Thailand from abroad.
3. Bank Transfer (SWIFT, cheques, and drafts)
If you need to send a lot of money at once or need bank records for your transfers, consider using a foreign bank account. This is especially useful for things like buying property. You can move money from a foreign bank account to a Thai one via three methods: wire transfer, cheque, or bank draft.
- Wire Transfer: You can set up a wire transfer through your bank. You can do this in person or online. You will need the receiving bank’s SWIFT number to send money to a Thai account. Fees are charged by both the receiving and sending banks, totaling between 1800-2400 THB, regardless of the transfer amount. Therefore, this method becomes more cost-effective than ATM withdrawals for amounts greater than about 130,000 THB. SWIFT transfers usually take between 3-5 business days to process. Bangkok Bank has branches abroad that may allow low-rate transfers to Thai accounts. HSBC also offers reduced fees for customers transferring funds from their accounts abroad.
- Cheques: Some Thai banks accept foreign cheques, though you need to ensure the receiving bank will accept them. Processing cheques can take 4-6 weeks and may incur charges up to 2,000 THB.
- Bank Drafts (Cashier’s Checks): Your home bank prepares these. They can be sent to a Thai bank account. Processing takes 3-7 days. Fees usually do not exceed 1200 THB. International money orders, which are pre-paid, can also be used but may not be accepted by all banks.
4. Western Union for Moving Money to Thailand from Abroad
Western Union (www.westernunion.asia) and Moneygram (www.moneygram.com) are quick wire transfer services, handling transfers from abroad to Thailand in minutes. These services are a good option if you don’t have a Thai bank account. However, fees can be high, up to 20% on small amounts. Both services tell customers not to send money to strangers. They also have security measures like email and phone confirmation. This helps make sure the money goes to the right person.
5. Wise Transfers for moving money to Thailand from abroad
Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers a cost-effective way to transfer money to Thailand. Especially for regular transfers or living expenses. This way provides a mid-market exchange rate with a transparent, low fee structure. Wise is often making it cheaper than traditional banks for international transfers (Thailand Life Blog). To use Wise, set up an account, enter the amount and destination, and fund the transfer through your bank or debit card. Funds typically arrive in the recipient’s account within 1-2 business days.
6. Online Accounts (PayPal, Moneybookers)
Online e-wallet systems like PayPal (www.paypal.com) and Moneybookers (www.moneybookers.com) have improved their connections with Thai banks, making it easier to link accounts. These systems let you collect money online from business transactions. You can also load your account using bank transfers or credit cards. You can then shop online or withdraw funds to any registered accounts. To link a Thai bank account, set up online banking and follow the e-wallet’s instructions. They will make two small deposits into your account, which you then use to verify and complete the link.
Moneybookers allows free receipt of funds or account loading, with a small fee of 25 THB for transfers up to 999.99 Euros. Transactions usually take 2-3 days. Moneybookers is changing its name to Skrill.
PayPal charges fees of 3-8% depending on the received amount. Withdrawals to Thai bank accounts are free for amounts greater than 5000 THB.
7. Cryptocurrency Transfers for moving money to Thailand from abroad.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are becoming more popular for sending money around the world. They are fast and have low fees. To send cryptocurrencies to Thailand, use a digital wallet. You can send funds to a local exchange. There, you can change them to Thai Baht. Popular exchanges like Bitkub (https://www.bitkub.com). Ensure you follow local regulations and verify the exchange’s credibility before transactions.
Cryptocurrencies offer a decentralized, efficient way to move money without traditional banking fees. However, you need a crypto exchange link to your bank account and government might be checking any gain for taxes. But that is the cheapest way, on chain like BSC, Arbitrum or Solana. USDC and USDT are the most used stable coins. ETHENA (ENA – just launched in May 2024) is a promising stable coin with high yields based on delta neutral strategy.
8. Transferring Money to Buy Property
If you are sending money to Thailand to buy a condo as a foreigner, you need a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form (FETF). This form is required for each transfer over 50,000 USD or the same amount in another currency. This form is needed to prove that the full purchase price has been sent from abroad. This is a requirement for foreigners buying condos. For an example form, visit our link on the Foreign Exchange Transaction Form.
You can transfer funds to your own Thai accounts to collect your FET forms from the bank. Or you can pay directly to the condo developer, who must collect the forms for you. FET forms are required for transfers over 50,000 USD. For smaller amounts, collect payment slips and request letters from your bank as proof of international transfers. You will need these documents when moving money to Thailand from abroad. They are also important when you want to send money back.
9. Changing currencies
Most banks in Thailand will have the same rate for changing currencies. However, a place called “Superrich” has one of the best rate in Thailand and many branches everywhere. The main office in Bangkok near Lumphini park has the best rate. Their rate and information can be found on their website : https://www.superrichthailand.com/
10. Saving Money on Transfers when Moving Money to Thailand from Abroad
Talk to your foreign and Thai banks about the transfer methods they offer. Find out which fees apply. Choose the best option to get the most money transferred while paying the least in fees. To reduce the impact of currency exchange rates, open a foreign currency account with your Thai bank. For example, you can open a USD account. Then, wait for good exchange rates before converting to Thai Baht.
Always check the foreign exchange rates from Thai banks. This will help you choose the best bank to open an account or use for currency transfers.