Answered5 years ago
What are the best banking options for expats traveling to Thailand?
Hi everyone!
Me and my partner are heading to Thailand in April and will be travelling various countries for a long period of time. I’m just wondering what the best options are as regards to bank accounts. I’ll of course be wanting to withdraw money from atm’s all over world, does anyone have any suggestions? Ive heard Charles Schwab is one of the best but sadly you have to be a US citizen.
Any help appreciated! 😊
Me and my partner are heading to Thailand in April and will be travelling various countries for a long period of time. I’m just wondering what the best options are as regards to bank accounts. I’ll of course be wanting to withdraw money from atm’s all over world, does anyone have any suggestions? Ive heard Charles Schwab is one of the best but sadly you have to be a US citizen.
Any help appreciated! 😊
Answer summary
The conversation revolves around finding the best banking options for withdrawing money while traveling in Thailand and other countries. Users recommend various banks and services such as Wise, Revolut, Starling Bank, and Charles Schwab, highlighting features like low fees, favorable exchange rates, and card security measures. There's also advice on using ATMs carefully and ensuring notifications are set with banks for travel.
21 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Liam ********
I use TransferWise now known as wise have a great app and a pre paid master card easy to connect to your home country bank had it for years
Jack *********
CaxtonFX, totally free. Awesome customer support. Can top up twice a day and select whatever currency you need. Can withdraw up to £300 a day and unlimited card payments. Used them for years never regretted it.
Niclas ***********
@Jack ********
what conversion percent you get roughly?Jack *********
@Niclas **********
at the moment its about £1 - 44 baht.London *****
There is also Revolut and Mongo in the UK.
Nicola *********
@London ****
Monzo**London *****
you dont have to be a US citiZen for a Schwab brokerage account which comes with a debit card. though their is a high account opening amount required.
Brian ********
Wise has a debit card that you load up with your Currency and you use as a normal debit card and Wise will always give you a excellent rate I think you are allowed two free ATM withdrawals each month
Paul ***********
Which ever bank let them know you travel to use atm,or you can try wise
Terence ***********
Whatever you use, make sure you lock the card after each use , many skimming devices on ATM worldwide
Joanna ******
OP@Terence **********
oh wow ok thanks for this!Joanna ******
OPThanks so much 😊
Joanna ******
OPGoodness! So would you suggest avoiding ATM’s all together? I was just worried a lot of places may only take cash
Niclas ***********
@Joanna *****
I am not sure what card or where he had the unfortunate encounters. Credit card is good if you encounter fraud. But normally ATM in normal areas are perfectly fine exactly like everywhere in the world.I have made hundreds of withdrawals in Thailand and region and never had any issues other than no network. Meaning have to wait or try another. It is no different from any other place in Europe. If the machine looks dodgy or tampered with find another. Or go into the bank lobby which in many parts have staff on duty as well. For example in shopping malls.
Niclas ***********
Wouldn't worry to much about it and not more then I would in Europe...
Terence ***********
@Joanna *****
I used ATM in Bangkok and money was withdrawn in vietnam , I used a card in VIP lounge in Frankfurt and a clock was bought in Chicago for $8000. Was refunded both times but i dont take chances now.
Gareth ********
I’ve used Revolut for the last couple of years. You can hold various different currency accounts.
Joanna ******
OPThank you both! 😊
Ricky ******
Starling Bank no fees for card payment or atm withdrawals. The atm will charge its own fee though. 220 baht per transaction (c7% on average with a worse exchange rate as well) in most cases. Use card to pay for everything, even small
****
purchases.Niclas ***********
You can check out the likes of TransferWise now Wise and the one I not dared to try Revolout. All of them have different benefit. I use Wise as my travel card which they supply for free and load it with my currency for spend in other countries. The conversion is decent enough for me to not look at others as is. I am sure there is more actors out there and cheaper ones.
Martin ********
@Niclas **********
Plus it allows you speculate on the exchange rate a little bit. If it looks like the rate is better then usual, buy baht at that time.Activity
12 joined12
people
Related
25What are the best ways for American DTV visa holders to access funds while in Thailand?
3.1k29282mo
How can I withdraw money from Upwork while holding a DTV visa in Thailand?
9715145mo
What are the safest alternatives to using a US bank account for expats in Thailand?
2.6k22265mo
What are the best methods for transferring money from Australia to Thailand without bank issues?
7.2k55946mo
What is the best way to transfer 400,000 Baht to a Thai bank account from Australia on a Non-O visa?
35.7k2196136mo
What are the safest Thai banks for expats to avoid account freezes?
15.2k1241886mo
What are the best methods for transferring funds to Thailand if you cannot open a bank account under DTV?
4.5k432810mo
What are the best alternatives for transferring money from the UK to Thailand for visa requirements?
2.4k18231y
What are some recommended UK banks for expats living in Thailand to avoid issues like those faced with Santander?
7.9k76392y
What is the best way to send large amounts of money to Thailand if I already have a bank account there?
8.1k66872y
What are the best options for transferring large sums of money from the UK to Thailand while minimizing fees?
17.1k1631202y
How do DTV visa holders manage payments and withdrawals in Thailand?
84142y
What are the cheapest ways to transfer large sums of money to a Thai bank account?
10k721162y
Which is better for transferring money in Thailand, Revolut or Wise?
7.1k48372y
What are the best methods to transfer money from the US to Thailand without losing too much on exchange rates?
11.5k1021002y
What are the best ways to transfer money from the US to Thailand and how can retirees open a bank account?
5.5k53293y
What are the best options for sending money to Thailand from the UK, especially if facing issues with Wise?
4.5k38383y
What is the current Euro to Thai Baht (EUR to THB) exchange rate?
4.4k40253y
What are the best options for carrying money to Thailand without incurring high fees?
11.1k105803y
What are the best banks and methods for online money transfers to Thailand as an expat?
6.2k62263y
Is Wise a better option than Revolut for transferring money to Thailand?
7.3k52663y
What are the best and cheapest options to transfer money from the UK to Thailand?
15.6k156964y
What can I use the Wise card for beyond fund transfers?
2.2k13245y
What are the best methods and apps for transferring money to a Thai bank account as an expat?
2.7k23135y
What is the best method to transfer money from a Thai bank account when relocating to Europe?
4.2k33365y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served