Can I transfer money directly from my US bank to Bangkok Bank for a retirement visa?

Only a few banks can accept foreign deposits greater than 50,000 THB. Bangkok Bank is one of them.

When doing your Wise transfer, completing the 'purpose of money' (or whatever), you will select 'Long term stay in Thailand'. This will cause the bank records to show those deposits are from overseas. The last couple of transfers I made taken 3-4 days. The non 'long term stay' deposits happen much quicker.

The accounts you read were wrong. You can transfer from your US bank to your Bangkok Bank account, and it will show as transferred from overseas, and that is all that is required. The cost of doing this by using other means is up to you, just so it shows the transfer from an overseas source.

I think the "funds for long term stay" reason is more for the reoccurring deposits to show proof of income in leu of the total deposit. But as others have said, Wise is your best option. I have worked for a bank and a brokerage company and unless you have a large account with them you will pay a wire fee and exchange rate fees. Plus, some banks charge an incoming wire fee as well and sometimes even a percent of the deposit. Wise is fast, cheap and easy and, to my experience, gets you the best rate. Even compared to the rates on echangerate.com. I send my wife money all the time in less than a minute. Usually the fee is 1% or less and I get the best exchange rate.

There are up to three ways banks make money doing wire transfers.

Just because there is a small or no transfer fee does not mean a lower cost overall vs Wise or another service.

Look at all three of these to do an complete, overall comparison.

1. The exchange rate to convert a foreign currency to Thai baht. This should be as close to the mid market rate as possible. You can sometimes negotiate a better one off rate with your bank, especially for large transfers.

2. The service fee. Many companies like Wise charge a fee.

3. The originating bank as well as the receiving bank may charge a (international) wire fee.

Know if any or all of the fees apply to you before you move money.

Also, always transfer US Dollars from America, or you will likely pay to convert it twice.

No problem using your bank outside of Thailand. The important thing is it is an international transfer to your account

I am not sure who told you that but for my 800,000 I wired it from my Charles Schwab account directly to BBK Bank no problem

You can use your bank to transfer - it would show as an international transfer, which is what you want.

Wise May offer you better rates or cheaper transfers. You use the reason as “long term stay in Thailand” so they code it as a international transfer and not a domestic bank one.