Answered5 years ago
What are the best methods for UK expats in Thailand to access UK bank accounts and manage mobile contracts?
One for UK expats. What's the best way to access UK bank accounts from Thailand? And do you keep a UK phone contract active? TIA
Answer summary
UK expats in Thailand can easily access their UK bank accounts through online banking. Most banks allow the use of a Thai address without issues. Maintaining a UK mobile number is possible through services like giffgaff or by downgrading to a low-cost plan, with users typically sending a text every few months to keep the service active. Many expats successfully receive one-time password (OTP) codes for transactions on their Thai SIMs, but this can depend on the bank's policies. A dual SIM phone can facilitate using both UK and Thai phone numbers simultaneously.
17 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Brett **********
Downgrade your UK number to the cheapest monthly deal you can (will be about £5 a month). Get a dual SIM phone (pretty much any phone that's not apple or Samsung nowadays) then you can have your Thai number and UK number active at same time
Gary **********
Do you still get OTP CODES sent on Thai sims? TIA
Martin *********
Mobile / online banking … I’m with Santander and nationwide
Chris ********
OP@Martin ********
do you use thai phone for these? Thanks
David ******
@Chris *******
- I'm with Santander and got them to add my Thai mobile for OTP's etc. Did take a call to customer service in UK to sort it.Chris ********
OP@David *****
that's good to know, thankyouMartin *********
@Chris *******
I actually use my iPad .. but same difference .. you only need Wi-Fi ..
Paul ********
Mobile banking works fine for a lot of transactions but many times need to receive OTP code on phone for authorisation. I put my UK sim in an old phone.
Kevin *****
@Paul *******
my OTP codes from NatWest come through fine on my AIS SIM. I guess it depends on which bank you are with as to how amenable they are.
Steve *******
Use your banks app. Simple
Jeffrey ************
I use Internet banking and have both UK and Thai mobiles..
Chris ********
OPGreat, thanks for your comments
Robert ********
Mobile banking and a giffgaff sim.
Greg ********
Online works fine. I have my address on it as Thailand so no need for UK mobile.
Stuart ********
I have my Thai number registered on my Halifax UK bank and i receive security confirmation calls no problem.
Robert ******
Online banking apps work as normal. Use app notifications instead of text.
I've switched my mobile to a sim only plan to keep the number alive. I have to send a text every 3 months to maintain.
I've switched my mobile to a sim only plan to keep the number alive. I have to send a text every 3 months to maintain.
Keith ********
I have a UK account with Santander with a Thai address. Easy to access via online banking. I use giffgaff to keep my UK mobile number alive.
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