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What are the best options for transferring large sums of money from the UK to Thailand while minimizing fees?

Mar 13, 2025
a day ago
Osian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've just transferred £1000 from UK to Kasikorn, the UK charged just £5 and i sent in pound sterling, because UK always charge more when they exchange it. However Kasikorn has just creamed 3%, no biggy for £1000, but this was a trial to see speed and charges, it will kill me sending 5 or 10 million baht. So my question is, from experience, do any of you know whether different banks charge different amounts, if so which is best, and finally does the amount % get less the more you send?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the experiences of various individuals regarding the transfer of large sums of money from the UK to Thailand. Key points highlighted include the different fees charged by banks, with particular mention of Kasikorn Bank and Bangkok Bank's fee structures. Several users recommend using services like Wise and Revolut due to their lower fees and better exchange rates compared to traditional banks. There are also mentions of the need to inform receiving banks about large transactions to avoid complications related to tax and money laundering regulations. The quantity sent may affect the percentage fee, with larger transfers potentially incurring lower percentage fees. Overall, readers are encouraged to explore various money transfer services for the most cost-effective and swift options.
Vinay ********
I've always used Wise. But I hear Revolute and Monzo have competitive rates
Steven **********
Revolut rate is 43.895
Steven **********
Revoult are the best better than wise
Peter *********
Wise
Ralph *******
Use Wise. The exchange fee is similar about 0.48% but you can then pay into a Thai bank for ฿44.76.
Osian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok guys I've looked at wise, most i can send is £45k and they charge .53% for that transaction. £240, so yes a lot more reasonable. However many moons ago I always transferred from bank to bank, I was with Bangkok bank back then, their charges were next to nothing. So i will wait til I arrive and try get a new BK Bank account sorted, and yes I know they've toughened up on foreigners getting bank accounts
Michael ***********
Wise is ok
Bent *************
Ask your banks?
Samuel ********
Usdt
Howard ******
Wise is the best rate and charges at the moment and k bank don't crème anything if you pay in Bhat win win
Gio *****
We always use wise, better I'd you have a Thai account also
Justin ******
I too have a HSBC Global Money account, to remove UK fees. Is there any merit in having a HSBC Expat account? Bangkok Bank sound the best Thai bank, but I'm a few yrs away from retiring.
Simon **********
Wise
Michael *******
Banks will rip you rotten, use WISE….
Phil *******
Revolut is brilliant.
Steve *******
Bangkok Bank is 0.25%. Min charge 200bt Max charge is 500bt
Santana *********
I know that Wise can be contacted for sending, like you mentioned, 5 or 10 million Pound. They will provide the necessary documentation for the proof of the source of the money. The receiving Thai bank can't see the orign of the money, like selling a house, winning a lottery, criminal activities, historical family capital, etc. If you decide to sent the money in fractions of the total sum, let say 500,000 per month, the bank/tax department can assume you have a salary from your home country or, more serious, case of money laundering. There is a change that alarm bells will go off if sending right away.

Also the receiving bank must be notified. Leave that communication to Wise. These amounts are not common for private banking. Better save than sorry.
Peter ****************
@Santana ********
It's 5 or 10 million BAHT !
Santana *********
Dave *******
Global money account HSBC
Fred **************
Wise is best so far! I transfer $10k and then to Bangkok Bank no problem !
Emmanuel **************
Willing to bet most of the people telling you to use wise haven't tried to send large amounts. Thai banks may or may not take an additional landing fee on top of whatever service you used to transfer. I transfer from Revolut/Wise in increments of 20k THB, this doesn't incur any landing fees with KBank and the processing time is instant. So if you need 100k baht, just transfer 20k 5 times in a row. Stupid but it works.
John **************
That's pretty good. Most U.S. banks charge $45 for international bank transfers.
Aaron ***************
Wise
Tin **********
Revolut
Galenus ******
Wise
Graham **********
I use wise and putty in my wife's account so cheap
Michael *******
Western union!
John *********
Wise all the way
Graham **********
I use wise cheap
David **********
Just use wise
Norbert **********
Take a small talk with Indian people in your area.

They make it with "hualla"you can look it up in internet.
Dave *******
Use crypto. No fees whatsoever
Dave *******
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Proof 😀
Dave *******
Plus Kasikorn are crypto friendly. You can use Bitkub ...they are Thai crypto exchange you can link your Kasikorn account to
Us *****
Why on earth would you transfer 5 mil? Are you buying a condo? If so, stop and rent.
Osian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Us ****
I have built and sold villas in Pattaya from 2003 to 2006, i then built a resort in Udon which i sold 7yrs later, never EVER had a problem.

Like i always say, if you are cash rich but income poor (that's me) you buy, if you're low on liquid assets but have a good income then you rent, its really that simple, no way am i gonna eat in to my savings while i live and pay rent. Buy at right price then even if u sell fir sane price years later all its cost is the interest you would have earned in the bank
Steve *******
@Us ****
Unbelievable! The first sensible comment you've ever posted in this group.

😂😂😂
Jeff *******
@Us ****
Jesus theres always one that can't afford to buy!
Steve *******
@Jeff ******
Who would be stupid enough to buy over renting in Thailand.
Us *****
@Jeff ******
I have a house in Los Angeles that generates enough rental income for me to pay my rent here. If I buy, I would do it in my home country as it is protected by the laws that would benefit me. Buying here doesn't make sense as a Thai person would get the same product 30% less. The Chinese also likes to launder their money in Thailand and they don't really care if the unit is rent or not. So to answer your question, I can afford to buy here. I'm just lucky to buy in America where my ROI is better than Thailand.
Jeff *******
@Us ****
The problem with that is it's based on garbage! Name one new development that has sold a house at 30% discount to a Thai - just one will do. Still if you want to give us property owners your hard earned cash thats absolutely fine. As for buying anything in America lolol - you've seen the news right?
Us *****
@Jeff ******
I'm talking about a condo. It is not a discount, it is 30% less than a foreigner rate. I looked at the prices for Thais and foreigners and it was a 30% price difference for all new developers. As for buying in America, it is very expensive. I know the news, but I would choose to buy in America than Thailand any day of the week.
Jeff *******
@Us ****
Condos, barring extremely high so units make nothing. I only own houses. Which condo block is selling them to thais at a 30% discount? If that was the case don't you think thais would be snapping them all up and selling them at 10% less to the foreigner so making a 20% gain and saving the foreigner 10%? Come on! Right now with the lunatic in charge in the states I wouldn't be buying anything, you have a mother of all recessions coming down the tracks! You see the markets cratering just about every day? Thats what a recession looks like.
Us *****
@Jeff ******
You are obviously smarter than me buying and selling houses here without owning the land. I don't even want to deal with that headache. As for the Thais selling to the foreigners, there is some technicality of a building being 51% own by Thais. As for buying in America now, I wouldn't do it. I was lucky enough to buy in 2011. As for the mother of all recession, I am not sure about it. We'll see how it plays out. Right now, I am sitting on my cash and just rent.
Jim ********
@Jeff ******
Anyone who can't afford to buy in Thailand must be some homeless desperado, but those with financial acumen and commonsense would never buy property in Thailand
Jeff *******
@Jim *******
lol of course and you graduated from Harvard what year? I've sold 17 properties to date and not lost a baht on a single one! Still you renters keep handing me your dead money whilst the capital stays intact. So no doubt you're penning a mail to the orange man to let your investments off the hook?
Jim ********
@Jeff ******
I own six investment properties in Australia. I don't base my success on "the baht that I don't lose", I base it on the hundreds of thousands profit I make. What has the Orange Man got to do with anything?
Michael *************
@Jim *******
Jeff Meyer could be one of those "super smart", public braggers, who're going home in their underwear, when they got hit by a crackdown on farang 49% "smart arses".

You never try, you'll never know.

😂🥳
Jeff *******
@Michael ************
If you have that in English that would be good. American right? 😁
Michael *************
@Jeff ******
In "English"...

🥳🥳🥳
Jeff *******
@Jim *******
So no capital gains in Aus, taxes or tenant shite? Cool you struck lucky. Not sure where the baht I lose comes from from, 17 properties sold and made a profit on every one, it's really not difficult. Orange man reference was where is an alternative, equities is for the insane until that moron decides his self induced recession has completed.
Jim ********
@Jeff ******
50% CGT discount for Aussie Tax Resident, negative gearing means the taxpayer is helping pay off my mortgages. It's a cake-walk, and no stupid restrictions on purchases like in Thailand, 51% ownership crap everywhere, and proving money comes from overseas and is taxable. No thanks. I'll rent and have the flexibility.
Jeff *******
@Jim *******
You're talking condos, you've heard of houses right? The money isn't taxable if you pay directly to the developer, you see if you took just a few minutes to learn the basics, you'd learn. But cool, keep giving the owners your money. Everyones a winner right?
Mark ********
@Jeff ******
Its not about being able to afford to buy its about not being dumb enough to lose a load of money😂
Jeff *******
@Mark *******
Why would you lose?
Tom ********
From the UK why not use a money transfer company such as Key Currency, very safe and they ask you if you agree with the exchange rate before they send it or you can wait until it's more favourable.
Nelly ******
Bangkok bank take 0.25 % or min 200 and max 500....Krungsri say almost same but pretty much always take 500 irrespective of value unless its very low value. Anyhow....wise or revolut don't tell you that. The figure is not too bad as long as you send over 40,000 baht (preferably 60K to actually guarantee a saving) as that costs you 220 for each 20K at the cash machine using your home card (if you can even get 20K as most cards are limited to 10K (some USA cards are 20K)....unless you use Aeon as they are 150 but they closed a lot of ATMs now.
Sigurd ************
@Nelly *****
Bring your passport and the card and go inside the bank. They give you what you need and fee is 220 baht.
Frank ********
@Nelly *****
TTB and Krung Thai (yellow ATM) pay out 30k THB for 220 fee.
Nelly ******
@Frank *******
not unfortunately for anything UK unless you have a chase card or similar
Frank ********
@Nelly *****
Ah, yes. It seems the card limit for German banks is generally 1000 € for their side of the withdrawal process. So for me, the limitation is the maximum of the local ATM, which is 30k THB with TTB and Krung Sri Banks. Ask your UK bank, maybe they can increase the withdrawal limit to fit the 30k.
Sigurd ************
@Frank *******
If you go inside the bsnk with your card and passport, there is no ATM limitation
Nelly ******
@Sigurd ***********
over the counter is free at many....ATM is 220. I've never tried it though.
Sigurd ************
@Nelly *****
I do it every time inside the bank, 30-40k, 220 baht
Nelly ******
@Sigurd ***********
foreign card? 1000 euro on one transaction....which euro bank is that.
Steve ******
Try western union and also wise I use both
Mark ********
@Steve *****
western union. Has 5000 dollar limit for transfer using their app.
Steve ******
@Mark *******
£5000 for me per day
Steve ******
Just so you don't argue
Steve ******
4000 sorry
Steve ******
Gústaf *********
Crypto.
Patrick ********
Bangkok bank don't charge just wise not expensive
Peter ********
Get a wise account
Derek *******
I just use wise transfer to same bank from uk bank to wise then to bank in thailand cheaper by big amount.
Gary **********
Wise rate at the min is 43.7477
Paul *********
You wool find this fast and a great rate.

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Steven ********
Transfer from UK acc to Wise acc then transfer to your Thai account. Better than uk bank exchange rate, small fees & speedy transfer there in seconds
Mick *********
HSBC free......decent exchange rate too.
Peter **********
if send over 150,000 baht you will be taxed in thailand a d amounts exceeding £10,000 banks notify hmrc
Osian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *********
hmrc, then you say THAI TAX, 2 different entities 🤔. The thai tax hasn't kicked in yet, im safe this year, as for HMRC if its in a uk account it's legit money, otherwise the question would have been asked when depositing it
Peter *******
@Peter *********
none of my friends or I, long term expats, have ever seen or heard of this happening if the money is pension money, not income earned while living in Thailand.
Nelly ******
Peter **********
@Nelly *****
google thai tax
Nelly ******
i really can't be bothered to have yet another discussion about thai tax.
Carl **********
I use kapook to send money from the UK to Thailand, depends on how much you send, sliding increase, but very reasonable and quick.
Steve *********
Wise is fastest . Rates real good too. Get a wise card , you can have a bhat account. You top up when rate is good , use like debit card in Thailand. ( still 220 bhat fee at atm mind )
Michael ******
Western Union
Davey *************
@Michael *****
you are insane...WU charges about 10% in fees , including ridiculously bad exchange rates. I hope nobody ever listens to your shitty financial advice 😂🤡
Michael ******
@Davey ************
use it all the time. Your "10%" theory is demonstrably false. Costs 1.50 pound to transfer a million and a half with an exchange rate close that, if not equal to, in person cash exchange. I suggest you put on your helmet, have some extra crayons at breakfast for confidence, and the try growing up a bit. 🤠
Brian *********
It is inconsistent. Many people seem pretty okay with wise.
Paul *******
Get a quote from Wise
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