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What are the benefits of using True Money for expats in Thailand?

Jun 7, 2025
a day ago
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Let’s talk about True money and its benefits. Please note I also have a long term visa and Thai bank account so I have an ‘advanced account’ with True Money.

Process

1) apply for an account using the app. You need a Thai phone number as everything is based on this. Any Thai carrier works it doesn’t have to be True.

2) once your advanced account is approved you can also get a virtual prepaid mastercard generated in the app. Useful

3) you can top up via bank transfer, cash at 7-11 or at a true money kiosk at the true shops in the mall.

Spending

1) can pay any business or individual with QR code payments. The so called ‘Scan’. Very convenient and no need to carry coins etc

2) utility bills can also be paid along with topping up your phone etc

3) can use with Grab. There is pre built integration between the apps so the transactions come out of your account. No more foreign credit card fees or drivers not having cash change

4) the prepaid Mastercard has many uses such as Bolt or online shopping

5) you also have your own QR code to receive money from other peoples bank accounts

6) can withdraw money to your Thai bank account but I haven’t tried that yet.

Overall what this allows me to do is keep my bank account ‘clean’ for immigration purposes without a large number of small transactions.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the benefits of using True Money, a digital wallet popular in Thailand, especially for expats. The advantages include the ability to apply for an account through an app, generating virtual prepaid Mastercard, topping up funds through various methods (bank transfer, cash at 7-11), and convenient QR code payments. It also highlights the app's integration with services like Grab for cashless transactions, allowing users to maintain a cleaner bank account for immigration purposes. The comments reflect on the usability of True Money for tourists versus long-term residents and concerns regarding top-up methods and security.
Jesper *******
Basically it's troublesome to top up wallet every now and then I just link my debit card for seamless transaction.....
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jesper ******
Thai or foreign?
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jesper ******
glad that works for you mate. Linking your debit card to what?
Jesper *******
@Jack *******
true money wallet
Daniele ***********
Only useful to pay at 7-11
Pat *****
@Daniele **********
lotus, lazada,...
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniele **********
free? Doubt it
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniele **********
I can pay and receive with any QR code.
Daniele ***********
@Jack *******
you can do that with any bank app, only 7-11 doesn't accept normal QRs
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniele **********
the original post went over your head.
Daniele ***********
@Jack *******
apart from 7-11 you can do everything with any bank. Also hiding things from your main account I guess you can do with any account
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniele **********
it also provides a credit card. Does your bank provide an unsecured credit card ? Doubt it
Daniele ***********
@Jack *******
you talking about a virtual prepaid card, you can get a physical one from any bank
Cliff *********
Unfortunately Bangkok Bank does not support True Money and it’s not easy to get a new account at Kasikorn….
Gregory ********
@Cliff ********
yes they do—that’s how i top up
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cliff ********
I transferred from my Bangkok bank account to true money.

What do you mean by not supported? its BBL below
David *******
Security. There will be an app where u can set restrictions and block the card?
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
you can block the credit card with a swipe. Don’t think you can do that with the prepaid balance. Don’t see the security as an issue though.
Ralph *******
So, as a tourist I can’t use QR? And the only way to top it up is cash? I can’t see the advantage.
Paul *********
@Ralph ******
just use cash then.
Ralph *******
@Paul ********
That right. Unless I can top up from Wise there’s no advantage. May as well use cash.
Marc ********
I am still waiting for something simular like Wing Bank from Cambodia.

You can send money to your account via money gram or western union. Without fee.

If I have to go 7eleven or use a thai bank or go to ATM to put money on it. Pretty useless.
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc *******
again you missed the point. I want a Thai credit card without having to keep money as a ‘deposit’ on it and I don’t want my bank statements full of small transactions.

You are the one that mentioned Western Union is this how you send Thai girls money?
Marc ********
@Jack *******
I send to myself in Cambodia. With Money gram. To a Wing Account. 0 fee. Unfortunately I cannot see any simular service in Thailand. Only if you have a thai account. And if I have a Thai acc I have everything I need already🤷‍♂️
Gregory ********
@Marc *******
so stick to Cambodia—we talking about Thailand—we not at school—there are no right and wrong answers—happy you dont see the benefits—its beneficial to others andcjustcaccept that
Marc ********
@Gregory *******
I prefere Thailand. But a bank service like in Cambodia would be good for sending small amounts. I put it this way. Unfortunately you cannot send money from abroad inexpensive to this app. I use the app when they have the option
Gregory ********
@Marc *******
not gonna happen here—banking laws very different—scammers and fraudsters have destroyed the system—hence so strict now—thats why no overseas debit orders through banking accounts—youtube,apple,spotify,etc—but unfortunately the few have ruined it for all—hence no more bank accounts for tourists or short stay visas
Gregory ********
@Marc *******
if you have a thai bank account—just top up on app
Marc ********
@Gregory *******
if I have a Thai bank account why would I even need the app? Pretty pointless
Gregory ********
@Marc *******
suppose you scan at
****
and how do you pay monthly debit orders for apple—anyway its not for you—it serves a benefit for me—plus i get
*****
% discount using it to pay on grab—
Marc ********
@Gregory *******
you can scan at
****
with thai bank acc. Apple orders no idea as I use android or microsoft🤷‍♂️ 20% discount is the only benefit I see. It could be for me but without being able to top up from abroad I don't see the real advantage. It would be nice if they would add such an option. Or if there would be another institution offering the service😉
Gregory ********
@Marc *******
please dont argue the point about scanning at
****
with Thai bank—have been following and interacted with banks and
****
about the use—
****
are currently running a pilot to see if it can work with about 400 branches—so you CANNOT scan at the others—
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc *******
this topic is a bit over your head son. Stick to western Union and cash if you’re just a tourist.
Gregory ********
@Jack *******
you will always get these🤡🤡🤡🤡you identified the benefits—if they dont—why they even replying—i wonder how they pay PEA if they have BKK accounts—maybe cash at
****
🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤡🤡🤡
Marc ********
@Jack *******
it's not cool having to hide like 200k baht under the mattrass or pillow or in hotel safe. So cash is not a good option. Sending with Western Union is too expensive. If you're not a tourist and you have a thai bank account you don't need true money app at all. You can scan and pay everything with your thai bank. So the app is pretty useless unless you can send money inexpensive from abroad
Gregory ********
Marc ********
@Gregory *******
yeah IF!!! In case you didn't know yet...foreigners with tourist visa and visa exemption cannot open bank accounts anymore
Gregory ********
@Marc *******
if you didnt lnow long stay still qualify plus married to a thai—so bonus 💪💪💪💪🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭
Dean *****
Thanks for this 👍
Colin **********
You copy this from the "Google" lol
Fred *********
@Colin *********
You hit a nerve i think. Lol
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Colin Chaffers blocked you.
Paul *********
@Jack *******
ahhh diddums.
Anil *********
Almost all this can do with Line app
Gregory ********
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
there is a ‘line pay’ application. I think he is talking about this.
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anil ********
I didn’t know line had QR code payments and receipts along with a Mastercard.
Mike *******
Can you use wise to top it up?
Gregory ********
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ******
I don’t think so. Thai bank account or one of these below methods. Might have to take money from the ATM and load it.
Mikkel *******
@Jack *******
just link your thai bank card with the wallet, and it tops up automatically when selected as payment method. It will deduct a minimum of 200 baht and put any remaining money in the wallet.
Jack ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mikkel ******
in my case I want to avoid a bunch of small bank transactions so I wouldn’t do this method
Mike *******
@Mikkel ******
that's not hiding the paper trail tho
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