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Should I send money to my Thai bank account or continue using my American debit card for spending?

Oct 20, 2025
5 days ago
Randy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Talking about Thai bank accounts I have a question is it better for me to send money to account and then withdraw it for spending money or should I just keep using my debit card on my American bank account. I wasn’t sure what the transfer fees would be sending it to my Thai bank account. Right now I just have the ฿430,000 for my marriage visa.

The good news is my  ฿430,000 has been in the Thai Bank, K Bank for 2 months. I just had my visa agent fill out all the paperwork so I can get my one month visa. With in the next 2 weeks the police will come to my house to make sure I really live with my wife as a husband. Once that is completed I can get the one year extension. Thanks for all of the information in this group!!!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether it's more advantageous to transfer money to a Thai bank account for easier access or continue using a US debit card while in Thailand. Key considerations include transfer fees, ATM withdrawal limits, currency conversion rates, and the convenience of payment methods such as QR payments and banking apps. Many contributors emphasize the importance of having multiple financial solutions, such as using local bank accounts alongside US debit cards that refund foreign ATM fees.
Ralph *******
With Revolut, I can top up the account with a debit card (no charge) then send to a bank account for a small fee.
David *******
Just buy crypto on coinbase/other exchange then send to wife have her cash out and send it to you. Can have cash moved from your accounts in less than 5 minutes
Mel ******
I use my fidelity debit cash management card. They reimburse all atm fees around the word.

I use wise if I want transfer from usa bank

I keep two separate Thai bank accounts. One that holds my visa money and one for spending.
Randy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mel *****
I can wire money from my Fidelity account to my bank account . Thank for your help
Mel ******
Maitin *******
As with most things, it depends. My Schwab card refunds all the ATM fees. So just what is more convient

Wise usually has a better exchange rate than Schwab, but since Schwab has no fee... There is a crossover point.

Also, my credit card has no foreign exchange fee, but generally terrible rates.

Personally I hate to carry cash so I use Quick Pay from the bank app.
Ralph *******
@Maitin ******
Which bank app gives you Quick Pay?
Maitin *******
@Ralph ******
As far as I know, all of them. It's a Thai national payment system. I think there is also an app ThaiTag that lets inbanked use the quickpay system but I've never really looked into it
Phil ******
@Randy ******
using your American debt card to withdraw from Thai Atms incurs a ฿250 ATM fee whereas your Thai debit card or cardless atm transaction doesn't attract the ฿250 fee
Jay *******
Its whatever works best for you. For me it's much easier to send to my thai bank and use scan and pay through my banking app. But I also have a US bank card that refunds all foreign atm fees, so I use that to have cash to carry. You always need backup, so have multiple ways get your money.
Brandon ************
That's mostly a personal decision.

If you have a debit card/bank account that refunds ATM fees, it might turn out a bit cheaper to use the ATM. But you're going to be limited to getting smaller amounts at a time. I believe the maximum is 35 or 40k baht from certain ATMs, I can't remember exactly. As long as you're not accepting the ATM conversion rate, you'll be getting whatever conversion rate your bank gives you, so it'll be a little bit of a mystery until everything settles.

With Wise or other transfers you can send much larger amounts and have the full amount available in your Thai bank account to use QR payments and such. And at least with Wise you'll know the exact transfer rate and fees before you ever click accept.
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