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What are the best alternatives for paying bills and rent in Thailand without a Thai bank account?

Visa Expat payments in Thailand Thai payment apps Paying bills without a Thai bank account Cash payments in Thailand Wise card Tag Thai True Money Lazada payments

May 4, 2025

a month ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

looking for advice/suggestions on paying in Thailand -without- a Thai bank account for things like bills, rent, services, etc.

List of apps I found mentioned:

- Tag Thai, True Money (issues with limited top up)

- Moreta Pay (Biz QR codes only it seems, not personal QR) 

- Wise card (good for rent, not sure about bills and services)

- Jamjang (not looked into this yet)

please comment if you have experience using them so we can help others in here. or if you know of a reliable way you've been using yourself.

I understand getting a Thai bank account is the best way, but not all will be so lucky to get one. so instead of doing that, I'm looking for other solutions.

looking forward to reading your helpful comments.

kop khun khrap 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Many expats in Thailand seek ways to pay bills, rent, and services without a Thai bank account. Popular alternatives mentioned include using apps like Lazada for electricity payments, Wise for rent, and cash for street vendors. True Money and TAGTHAi are also suggested but may require topping up at 7-11. Additionally, QR payment systems linked to foreign banks can work, and local stores accept cash as a reliable payment method.

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Claire *******

I asked this question and I been told

Lazada can pay bills on

****

use cash and pay using the qr code get

Wise can pay rent and bills

TAGTHAi

These all ones I been told by locals out there xx

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Marney ********

Cash 💸 🤴

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Elías ********

Where are your regular bank accounts from? You didn't mention it but it's important because many Asian banks have agreements with Thai banks for using the QR system. I'm Korea-based and I can use all my Korean banks native apps to pay on Thailand for both Thai QR and Alipay+, which is important because

****

won't take Thai QR but they do take Alipay.

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Heejung ******

@Elías *******

Hi Elias, Have you ever felt that just using Alipay+ and QR codes was lacking or inconvenient? I’m Korean and will be moving to Thailand for long term. I have Alipay+, QR code payments, no problem withdrawing cash, plus a UK Revolut account for Apple Pay. With this setup, do you think I’ll be fine without a Thai bank account?

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Elías ********

I think you'll be absolutely fine. I've been here since October, and just had withdrawn cash one time. With Alipay+, the Thai QR and regular cards, you won't really need cash. Also, if you want, you could open a Thai bank account, but that would only complicate things tax-wise. Remember that Korea and Thailand don't have a double taxation treaty.

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Elías ********

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Incognia **********

@Elías *******

how about currency how much fee currency gap?

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Incognia **********

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Georgijus ************

Electricity you can pay through Lazada with your card. The rest you can pay with Wise like rent, water bill etc. For the rest cash is king to pay for street vendors and all shops accept cards. Bigger shops even accept Amex cards no problem 🙂 So all this thing running around to open bank account is complete waste of energy, and to pay agents to open account is the most dumb thing 🙂

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Georgijus ***********

this is really reassuring, thank you.

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Anonymous *************

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Les ********

Haven’t done myself but heard you can pay bills on Lazada if you have all details

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Joseph **********

with cash?

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Anonymous ******************

@Joseph *********

debit card of any country.

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Anonymous ******************

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Jason **********

True money, but you'll have to top it up at 7-11 without a thai account

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Joseph **********

@Jason *********

ah

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Joseph **********

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Kool *******

Cash is still accepted everywhere

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Anonymous ******************

Most things like water and electricity can be paid at 7even eleven

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Anonymous ******************

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