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Can I bring 800,000 Baht in cash to open a Thai bank account?
Thai bank accountCASH declarationNon-O retirement visaVisa applicationMoney transferExchange ratesCost of transferring moneyForeign funds declaration
Jun 3, 2025
a year ago
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTERCan I use 800,000 Baht in cash to open a bank account.
I am thinking that bringing £ over from UK will get me the best exchange rate to Baht
TIA
I am thinking that bringing £ over from UK will get me the best exchange rate to Baht
TIA
TLDR : Answer Summary
Opening a bank account in Thailand with 800,000 Baht in cash is possible, but you must declare the cash upon arrival. It’s advisable to obtain a Non-O retirement visa before arriving to streamline the process as banks may require proof of foreign funds. Using a bank transfer instead of cash may be a safer option due to better exchange rates and lower risk of carrying large amounts of cash. The conversation discusses issues around cash limits for declaration, the necessity of the correct visa, and how to properly manage the funds for banking and visa requirements.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Michael ********
Paul, the simple answer is yes, you can move cash, up to you whether you declare it or not. The problem is generally only with 3rd world countries who try to restrict money being taken out... hence filling in the form declaring what you are bringing in to Thailand is best... it is both proof of foreign funds and allows you to take the money back out of Thailand should the need arise.
This said, there are reasonably cost effective ways to send funds safely that are workable.
Equally, using an agent for the initial set-up of accounts and visas is very hassle free with zero headaches, covering the first 15 months, albeit frowned upon by some.
Thereafter you may renew yourself.
This said, there are reasonably cost effective ways to send funds safely that are workable.
Equally, using an agent for the initial set-up of accounts and visas is very hassle free with zero headaches, covering the first 15 months, albeit frowned upon by some.
Thereafter you may renew yourself.
David *******
@Michael *******
big clamp down now on opening up bank accounts without the correct visa. Long gone are the days where they'd accept your cash. This persons best option is to apply for the correct visa in his own country before arriving in Thailand. Then the process is pretty straightforwardPaul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
. I will be applying for a 90 day visa whilst in the UK . I am wanting to know about the way of changing it to a 12 month visa . I am not going to be breaking any laws. I will be doing everything correctlyDavid *******
@Paul ******
when you have your O visa then just go to immigration and they will tell you exactly what's then required and the time frameReply to
David *******
Reply
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
. Thankyou for your detailed informationReply to
Paul *******
Reply
Kevin **********
That amount of cash will raise flags at every stage and is a security risk. You're better off losing a few £ on the transfer through a bank.
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin *********
changing £19k doesn't mean losing a few pounds. It is going to be closer to £450 lossReply to
Paul *******
Reply
Trevor *******
Lloyds bank only charged me £9.90 for international fund transfer last year.
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Trevor ******
. But you will have got 1 less baht per £ against a bureau de change.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Jim *********
Not sure of UK banks. But Irish banks charge around €20 for transfer of €20K euro. Not sure what rate they offer
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim ********
Bank rates are ALWAYS lower than exchange bureau's and changing £19k can be 1 Baht per £ = *****
baht = £450Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Stephen *********
Try wise transfer funds but you will need a thai bank account
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen ********
18,000 Baht loss is 2.3% of my money thrown down the drain. No thxKeith *******
@Paul ******
be careful as changing money here or sending directly from your bank will result in lower rates which can actually cost you more than using Wise!Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Keith ******
. I have lived in Africa for 9 of the last 12 years , which means I am very switched onKeith *******
@Paul ******
then you'll know if you get 1 baht less in the exchange rate that it equates to more than *****
Baht.Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Keith ******
if I am getting 1 baht less per £ and changing £18,000 , I will get exactly 18,000 baht less 👍Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Alan *****
Taking cash over instead of using a card will save you a lot of money, but your only allowed to take £10k without declaring it, it’s hard to open a Thai bank account now. If you’re thinking of buying a condo or something it’s best to transfer your money through wise etc. But make sure you declare your buying property, as it’ll go through as a foreign transaction.
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alan ****
. Not buying anything with the 800k Baht. For a retirement visa I need to keep 800k in a Thai bankAlan *****
@Paul ******
if you go through an agent you don’t need 800kFrank **********
@Alan ****
Why use an Agent. He wants to do things legally.Alan *****
@Frank *********
it’s still legal. & it saves a lot of hassle I’ll be going through an age when I applyFrank **********
@Alan ****
circumventing the financial requirements by having an agent bribe an Immigration Officer is hardly legal. Unless you put you own money in a bank account. If you use the Agents money it is fraud.Alan *****
@Frank *********
🙄🙄🙄. There’s an agent who does this right outside the immigration office in Pattaya. There’s an agent who is permanently in a branch of the Bangkok bank, it’s been going on for years and will continue to do so it’s all part of the way the system worksFrank **********
@Alan ****
do what you do then. I'm just saying what the legal requirements are. The individuals 800k baht transferred from overseas into a Thai Bank Account and seasoned for two months in order to get the retirement extension.Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frank *********
. I will be using my own 800kAlan *****
@Paul ******
it’s the keeping it in is the problemPaul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alan ****
Why do you say that keeping it in is a problem. Surely I can use some and just make sure there is 800k in for the 3 months before wanting to renew in a years time ?Alan *****
@Paul ******
I’m not sure about that tbhPaul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alan ****
i don't want to lie about the 800k . I want to do everything properlyAlan *****
@Paul ******
that’s fair enoughPaul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alan ****
. I will still probably use an agent for the first year because it is just easier. I just don't want to be tied to an agent forever.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Ian *********
I think you can only take £10k out of Uk
Jack ********
@Ian ********
no limitSteve ******
@Jack *******
you've got to declare anything over 10k coming out of ukJack ********
@Steve *****
again there isn’t a limit on what you can take out.Steve ******
@Jack *******
as long as you declare it over 10kJack ********
@Steve *****
no limit why is that hard for you to understandReply to
Steve ******
Reply
Dave ********
@Ian ********
I carried £*****
in £50 notes to Thailand to buy a car. I had to declare to HMRC how much I was taking on gov.uk. I carried proof of which Account No. it had come from. Declared it by going through the red channel in Bkk Suvarnabhumi Airport. Took a few minutes to fill in the form. Straight downstairs to the Basement level to Exchange, kiosks there give a good exchange rate.Adam *********
@Ian ********
this is true, can take more but need to declare and show proof, see on a tv show once a guy had some unpaid taxes and they seized his cashReply to
Adam *********
Reply
Яша *****
You can bring your cash just dont fordet to declarate it on the Thai custom. And keep that declaration to show in Thai bank for open acc and exchenge you currency to confirm your money came with you outside Thailand
Brandon ************
If you are trying to live in Thailand, then you will need to apply for the non-O retirement visa before you travel to Thailand. Otherwise you will not be able to open a bank account, and even if you could it would not help you if you didn't already have the visa, because in order to apply for the visa in Thailand you must show that the money was TRANSFERRED from overseas, not brought in as cash. So apply for the non-O visa, travel to Thailand. Use the visa to open a bank account and then deposit your money after you exchange it. Then after the money has been in your account for 2 full months you can apply for the 1-year extension based on retirement.
Robert *********
@Brandon ***********
Came Pattaya May 14th. UK passport holder. With Non immigrant o visa. Refused by 10 banks to open a bank account. Tried 6 agents they cannot help either. Some Banks said it was A a tourist visa, one said I needed 0 -A visa. Others said I need a 1 year visa. Needed 1 year rental contract and residence permit. I will come back November and try again.Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
I am going to be living in Thailand. I was going to get a legitimate agent to help me with getting the retirement visa . I thought it was possible to do it that way. My actual 800k not a fictional 800kStuart ***********
@Paul ******
make it easier for yourself by getting the non O visa before you come to Thailand as others have stated. It used to be possible to do it the way you planned, but the banks are being very strict about opening accounts on tourist visas, because of all the high profile investigations into mule accounts. A few minutes doing your visa online before you come should make the process smooth, with no need for agents.Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart **********
. I believe you are saying to get a 90 day non O visa when in the UKStuart ***********
@Paul ******
the basic process is:1. Get online non O visa from the Thai Embassy in the uk. 2. Travel to Thailand ensuring immigration stamp you in with the visa. 3. Open a bank account immediately and deposit 800,000 baht.4 Go to immigration and get a list of requirements to extend your stay for 12 months. 5. Wait until your money has been in the Thai bank for two months.6. Take all the documents on the immigration list and apply to extend your stay. It is one a4 form with about 15 questions to complete,with simple questions like name and date of arrival in Thailand. Pay 1,900 baht, wait a few minutes and you have a visa for a year.Stuart ***********
@Paul ******
yesReply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Paul ******
It's an option, but it will be cheaper and easier if you get the non-O visa before you travel. Make many things simpler. For example if you travel without a visa you can be denied boarding to your flight if you don't have proof of a ticket leaving Thailand within 60 days.Marianne ********
@Paul ******
no agent needed. Apply online yourself.You will want to look at the Non O based on retirement.
****************************
Reply to
Marianne ********
Reply
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
what visa do I need to apply for when I am in the uk ?Brandon ************
@Paul ******
look at the bottom of this screenshot. This is how you answer questions in the e-visa system to apply for the non-O retirement visa.Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTERCheers for the photo
@Bra****
. I will want to visit the uk 2 or 3 times a year, so where you put "single", hopefully there is an option for multiple entries 🤞Brandon ************
@Paul ******
once you apply for the 1-year extension in Thailand, you can purchase a multiple re-entry permit. But there's no multiple entry visa available. It wouldn't matter anyways since the visa is only a 90 day visaReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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