ask
Search
Ask
Answered2 years ago

How can I pay rent and utilities in Thailand without a bank account?

Anonymous *************
asked Jan 8, 2025
6.5k
views
33
replies
4
likes
Without a Thai bank account, I'm curious how are people paying rent and utilities?

I've done a one-month rental before paying up front in cash and they deducted utilities when giving the deposit back.

For a year lease, what do you do to send money to the landlord as well as the utilities? I plan on getting a year lease in Chiang Mai for several years and leaving during the burning season. I suppose I could pay up front for 2 months before leaving the country, but what about utilities?
Answer summary
Expats living in Thailand can manage rent and utilities without a Thai bank account using various methods. They can pay their landlord in cash or utilize services like Wise for transfers. Some expats ask friends with a Thai bank account to handle transfers. Utilities can often be paid at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, through apps like Lazada, or prior arrangements with friends or the landlord to settle bills in their absence. For longer stays, obtaining a Thai bank account is highly recommended.
33 repliesnewest first
24

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Mo ******
Mo ******
I pay cash and withdraw money at ATM to deposit again at the landlords bank account. Same bank so easy.
Marks *********
Marks *********
Schwab debit card. Free ATM in Thailand, actually they reimburse you at the end of the month for any fees, no minimum balance, no monthly fees, you can do wire transfers to your landlord‘s bank account, I believe you can set up bill pay online also. 24 seven live customer service. And you can customize it for whatever country you live in. Can’t say enough good things about them.
Cameron ***********
Cameron ***********
Wise
Carlos *********
Carlos *********
I pay rent via bank transfer with Wise, electricity in cash at any 7-11 and water in cash in my condo’s juristic office. But yes a bank account makes everything easier
Angelo ***********
Angelo ***********
As far as I know you can register a foreign Credit Card with a Thai Banking app. Then use QR code payment.

On the other hand: just try several bank branches and open an account.
Baptiste *******
Baptiste *******
Revolut
Damian ******
Damian ******
Go to 711. For normal transfers you can go to bank and do manual one. For ex. For water you can try to pay on juristic office in your condo.
Marta *************
Marta *************
Simple bank transfer
Maik ************
Maik ************
Enough possibilities.

I transferred money to Revolut, transferred to TBH, and then send it to the landlord via SWIFT payment.
Dany ********
Dany ********
Your thai girlfriend can pay with her bank account ;) besides that paying cash is always an option. i usualy pay every 3 months upfront. Wise is another option. For utilities you could ask a friend or neighbor or the landlord and leave them some money. shouldnt be much when you are not there
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Dany *******
I'm a lady with a boyfriend of the same nationality but I do want some Thai girl friends! I'll look into these options, thanks!
Somchai ********
Somchai ********
I ask 1 of my friends who has a Thai Bank to make the transfer for me. I give them cash, they transfer the money, they send me the transfer receipt, and I forward it to my agent/landlord for proof.

As for for Electricity and water you can ask a friend to stop by and get the bill to pay it while your gone. I haven't tried it but maybe you could pay an extra 100 baht or so on your next electricity and water bill to see if it stays on as credit. If it does and you plan on being gone for 2 months put a little extra on it before your trip and don't worry

Hope this helps
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Utilities can be paid at 7 eleven
Maurice **********
Maurice **********
Cash
Ken ********
Ken ********
Just add the cost of an agent to the visa cost approx 5000 bt then your bank problem is solved thank you face book for thinking for me
Connie **********
Connie **********
You can pay utilities on Lazada app
John *********
John *********
@Farang ********************
can help you get a bank account open
Peter ********
Peter ********
Just get a Thai bank account. Best thing I ever did.
Viktor **********
Viktor **********
@Peter *******
need residency?
Viktor **********
Viktor **********
Peter ********
Peter ********
@Viktor *********
no you don’t, I got a Thai bank account while being a tourist. I filled in my address in the Netherlands
Jestine ******
Jestine ******
Western union app
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
Download TrueMoney
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
Get Wise, get the landlord's Thai bank info, send to the landlord every month.
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Wannikea ********
thanks! Is there a fee with wise to do that?
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
Anonymous participant Wise has tiny fees.
Viktor **********
Viktor **********
@Wannikea ********
was just checking if it’s possible. Thanka for confirming 🙏🏻
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
@Viktor *********
save yourself a lot of future grief pay 5,000 baht and get an agent in Pattaya to get you a bank account within hours
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
@Martino ******
same thing for 10,000 more, shop around
Martino *******
Martino *******
@Wannikea ********
there are not agents in Bangkok that does the same thing?
Dom ********
Dom ********
Cash
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
OP
@Dom *******
What about when I'm overseas for 2 months to escape burning season?
Dom ********
Dom ********
Anonymous participant pay an agent to get a Thai account opened for you 🤣

Activity

24 joined
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
24
people
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
...members
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
How can I pay bills in Thailand using a Spanish bank account without a Thai bank account?
9241055d
Can I pay my rent in Thailand using Wise or similar services?
3.8k1234mo
Is it common to pay rent in Thailand directly from a Wise account to a landlord’s bank account?
17.5k1452144mo
How can expats without a Thai bank account effectively manage cash withdrawals while living in Thailand?
4.3k91135mo
What are the common ways for DTV holders to pay rent in Bangkok?
10.8k951136mo
How can I pay rent in Thailand without a bank account on a DTV visa?
3.8k26557mo
How can DTV holders in Thailand pay rent and utilities without a local bank account?
5.5k52438mo
What is the cheapest way to transfer money from Thailand to the UK?
3.7k27389mo
What are some popular cashless payment apps for expats in Thailand without a local bank account?
29.9k2263709mo
What are my options to receive my rental deposit back in Thailand without a bank account?
1.5k8161y
What are the alternatives to opening a traditional bank account in Thailand for freelancers?
5.6k57241y
What are the best alternatives for transferring money from the UK to Thailand for visa requirements?
2.4k18231y
What are the best methods for efficiently transferring money from Canada to Thailand?
2.9k18321y
What are the best money management solutions for DTV visa holders in Thailand?
10.5k110521y
How can I pay rent for a condo in Thailand without a Thai bank account?
5.3k36521y
What alternatives do you have if your bank account in Thailand gets closed?
4.4k28511y
What are the best methods for transferring money from Thailand to the EU without high fees?
2.7k20181y
What are the best options for transferring large sums of money from the UK to Thailand while minimizing fees?
17.1k1631202y
What are the best methods for fast and cost-effective money transfers to Thai bank accounts?
2.8k22182y
What are the best services for transferring money internationally to fund a Thai visa and open a bank account in Chiang Mai?
6.1k54462y
What are the cheapest ways to transfer money from an Indian bank account to a Thai bank account?
6.4k54452y
Is it worth opening a Thai bank account for short-term visits on a visa exemption?
3.2k24202y
What are the best options for sending money to Thailand from the UK, especially if facing issues with Wise?
4.5k38383y
What are the options for transferring money cheaply into Thailand from a Wise account without a Thai bank account?
3.8k26403y
How can I successfully transfer money to a Thai bank account using Santander?
4.4k28584y

Resources

Need help with your Thai visa?