How can I manage my finances in Thailand as an expat using the TrueMoney app?

Hey everyone,

With all the recent headlines about bank accounts for foreigners being shut down, I thought it might be helpful to share how I’ve set things up personally here in Thailand.

I’m currently living in Thailand on a DTV visa and have a Thai phone number (super easy to sort—just head to any big mall).

I’ve started using the TrueMoney app and honestly, the setup couldn’t have been easier. As an accountant, I’m big on tracking personal expenses, and TrueMoney’s built-in statement feature is perfect for this. It lets you clearly see money in and out—really handy for monthly reviews.

The app itself is incredibly fast and user-friendly. I’ve yet to find a place that doesn’t accept it—7-Eleven, malls, petrol stations, markets—anywhere with a QR code scanner seems to work flawlessly.

How I top up my account:

I use the TrueMoney kiosks, which are dotted around all the major cities. You can deposit up to 20,000 THB per transaction.

As a UK national with a UK bank account, here’s my process:

1. Find a major bank ATM.

2. Withdraw 20,000 THB using my Wise card (decent exchange rate + 220 THB ATM fee, which is about 1.1% of my withdrawal—not too bad).

3. Head to a TrueMoney kiosk and deposit the cash.

4. Use TrueMoney as my ‘day-to-day bank account.’

It’s technically not a bank account, but it gives me everything I need—no need to carry cash, easy digital payments, and everything’s trackable for budgeting purposes. The convenience and speed of QR payments make everyday spending a breeze.

Hope this helps a few of you out!

*I'm posting anonymously as i'm quite a private person and don't like the idea of people looking at my profile haha! But happy to help out any questions as and when needed.