Answereda year ago
What are the best methods for transferring money to Thailand for a Non-O visa requirement?
Hi Guys, opened my two bank accounts yesterday with KASIKORNBANK in Hua Hin and now want to fund them. First to transfer money to a savings account..and a mimimum of 800k bht then transferring from there to a Fixed Deposit Account which pays some low interest, about 1%, but better than nothing. The minimum 800k bht to stay in that account to satisfy Non O immigrant requirement.
I have been having a nightmare trying to transfer money from my UK Lloyds account..with also exorbitant transfer costs. So transferred some money from my Wise account just to see the difference. The Wise transaction was done in seconds and at a good rate of 43.5bht / £.
I am now thinking of doing the balance with Wise but understand there may be issues in the future.(?). So would appreciate any advice?
And btw: didn’t need to go to immigration at all. Just took my owner documents, blue book etc., together with my passport and that was enough evidence for them to open my accounts. Thank you.
I have been having a nightmare trying to transfer money from my UK Lloyds account..with also exorbitant transfer costs. So transferred some money from my Wise account just to see the difference. The Wise transaction was done in seconds and at a good rate of 43.5bht / £.
I am now thinking of doing the balance with Wise but understand there may be issues in the future.(?). So would appreciate any advice?
And btw: didn’t need to go to immigration at all. Just took my owner documents, blue book etc., together with my passport and that was enough evidence for them to open my accounts. Thank you.
Answer summary
A user discusses their experience opening bank accounts at KASIKORNBANK in Hua Hin to comply with Non-O visa requirements, needing to maintain an initial deposit of 800,000 THB. They share challenges with transferring funds from their UK Lloyds account, mentioning high fees and a preferred transfer method via Wise for better rates. Community comments provide tips on maintaining required funds after receiving a retirement extension, the importance of bank-to-bank transfers, and implications of transferring funds into fixed deposits. They clarify that foreigners can open fixed deposit accounts and discuss the nuances of proof of residence with blue books.
27 repliesnewest first
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Tim ******
Foreigner can open FD?
Maitin *******
Bangkok Bank and maybe others will issue the letter the day you deposit the money. They freeze the 800k in the account and immigration seems to accept this ( at least in Bangkok )
Maitin *******
@Tim *****
yes
Ian **********
You do not have a blue book, as only Thai citizens can hold a Blue book
Richard *********
OP@Ian *********
I can assure you that I am not colour blind and that my blue book is the same colour as my UK passport. However, to be legal, it has to be held in conjunction with property title deeds in my name.Ally ************
As regards inward bank to bank money transfers.. NatWest charges me zero to activate a Swift transfer to my Thai bank account.. though my Thai bank makes a small charge to process it this end.. so when you eliminate the Uk bank fee it actually makes minor exchange rate differentials on smaller remittances somewhat insignificant.. unless of course you are remitting large amounts in a single transaction.. but this may be considered a more secure (or safer) option than using an fx intermediary.
Maitin *******
@Ally ***********
be careful. The fee may be lower, but the exchange rate wasn't as good as wise. Wise has constantly had a better rate than the bank, at least that is my experienceAlly ************
@Maitin ******
Unless remitting large sums it's irrelevant.. and the fee isn't just lower it's zero 😉
Michael ********
Nationwide in the UK only charge £15 for a Swift transfer.
Tony **********
As the amount goes up, Wise gets more expensive. Swift is cheaper for me after about ฿150k. But this will depend on the swift fees your bank charges. Also, only send funds in your home country currency.
Ally ************
If you have a blue book or a yellow book you don't need a CoR from immigration.. because that is your proof of address.. but my understanding was that only Thai nationals can be named on (or in) a Blue book.. and us farangs (that qualify) get a Yellow book 🤔
Richard *********
OP@Ally ***********
I have a Blue book. I own my Condo Freehold. (As part of the 49% foreign ownership).Ally ************
I suggest the plan to move funds into the fixed deposit is floated with immigration before you do it.. and ideally you should get their approval in writing.. because 12 months down the line they may deny ever having sanctioned that!
Greg ***********
Richard Cowling . . . are you aware that after being issued the 1-year Retirement Extension you need to keep the 800,000 THB in your savings account for 3 more months, and that you can't go under 400,000 THB in the rest of the year? If you take out the funds and transfer them to a fixed account, you will be on OVERSTAY from the very moment on
Nick ************
@Greg **********
I thought that asblongvas the money was easily accessible the type of account was not important.
Bent *************
That is correct if Wise it doesn’t show it’s a transfer from abroad you must use bank-to-bank
Warren *************
@Bent ************
not true I used wise sent baht and Barclays Bank to bank gbp swift both comes up as bahtnet both sent to kashikorn but nothing say says international transfer this is what is confusing meIan **********
Bent Sennenwaldt: Not true. If you choose 'Funds for long stay in Thailand', it takes longer to transfer, but it shows as an international transfer.
Graham ******
For retirement you need 800k for 2 months before applying for your 12 month extension and maintain that for 3 months into the extension. The minimum then cannot drop below 400k for the rest of the year of your extension.
Sean **********
@Graham *****
you need your transfer to be labeled as arriving from a foreign source. So far that has worked correctly for me when transferring WISE to KashikornGraham ******
@Sean *********
not for an extension of stayTim ******
@Graham *****
Ok, I understand.Graham ******
@Tim *****
This post is about the 800k method not the 65k method of international deposits per monthSean **********
@Tim *****
well that is not what the IO told me at Chaeng Watthana when I extended in June 2025. She specifically said (and wrote down on a note) that next year I must bring a ‘Credit Advice Letter’ proving that I have made 12 monthly foreign transfers from my home country, minimum amount of ฿65,000 each.
Tim ******
@Graham *****
Monthly 65k doesn't need to be marked as international transfer for an extension?Richard *********
OP@Graham *****
Yep thanks Graham, understand that. But have heard that if money is transferred from Wise, and not by Swift Bank transfer, that there could be problems. Or is what i’ve heard incorrect?Activity
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