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Answered7 days ago

What are the best payment options for South Africans living in Thailand without a Thai bank account?

Callum **********
asked Oct 20, 2026
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Any South Africans on the DTV figured out a nice way to pay for things in Thailand? Can't open a Thai bank acc, can't use Wise or Revolut it seems. What options are there for South African besides getting reamed on ATM fees every time?
Answer summary
South Africans in Thailand face challenges with payment options due to restrictions on opening Thai bank accounts. Some suggested viable methods include using a KBank cash card for ATM withdrawals and making QR payments with apps like TrueMoney and Moretta Pay. It is possible to use Wise and Revolut at larger businesses, but cash is still needed for smaller transactions. Other tips include withdrawing the maximum amount from ATMs to minimize fees and exploring Payoneer as an alternative.
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Ron ******************
Ron ******************
Draw cash at bank. Open K bank cash card, PAY & TOUR and deposit money into account. Now you are sorted. Refill when need.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
You need cash for the smaller traders but Wise and Revolut are fine for larger businesses including 7-Eleven.

Hard to avoid ATM fees though. Could go into a bank and get cash but probably a poor exchange rate.
Daniel ********
Daniel ********
simply withdraw at with card at any ATM on arrival at airport
Adrian *********
Adrian *********
May be you can try Payoneer
Ebbie *******
Moretta pay app is good
Wayne ********
Go to KBank(green colour bank)foreigner s can get there TAGTHAI card..easy pay with QR code
Damien ***********
Damien ***********
Revolut and Wise
Peter ********
Peter ********
Withdraw 30.000 baht at one time. Easy
Jacky *********
Jacky *********
Withdraw the maximum amount at a time.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
Go to KBank(green colour bank)foreigner s can get there TAGTHAI card..easy pay with QR code
Ebbie *******
Ebbie *******
Moretta pay app is good
Seren *******
Seren *******
Ebbie Brown agreed but only works for US and Canadians in Thailand at the minute.
EmeraldSal**********
I opened a TrueMoney account, submitted my DTV and they unlocked the ability to make QR payments P2P and to vendors.
Edward ********
Edward ********
IF the issuing bank doesn't charge foreign currency or other fees, credit cards.
EmeraldSal**********
EmeraldSal**********
I opened a TrueMoney account, submitted my DTV and they unlocked the ability to make QR payments P2P and to vendors.
M*
M*
You only need one thing that is easy to get "True money wallet" you can use your credit card or apple pay or whatever to put money in it, you can get a debit card using it and it's free, can scan an pay QR and can pay at 711 with it. Done :)
Mark *********
Mark *********
Deep pocket, its 4% though, but is what it is, there is no way around it
Roy ********
Roy ********
Why can you not use ,Revolut , I use my card everywhere in Thailand including ATM if you let Revolut know your going to Thailand you can get the max amount you can withdraw raised or up to
*****
bht per withdrawal, cost 220 bht the more you withdraw the more you save
YellowCate***********
YellowCate***********
@Roy *******
read the news… Revolut is down
Roy ********
Roy ********
YellowCaterpillar8799 maybe you should check the news again all good again 4 hrs ago 🤦
Martin ********
Martin ********
@Roy *******
the vast majority of small traders dont accept wise or revolut. ATM fee is 250. Most people Thai or expat scan to pay. If you're a tourist you might be able to use True Money
Shaista *******************
Shaista *******************
Martin Drazen get tag Thai
Roy ********
Roy ********
Martin Drazen yes correct but if you withdraw cash from ATM all street vendors accept Cash and in many cases would prefer, bars restaurants hotels all except card but usually add a premium for the use of , ie many bars / restaurants in BK charge extra 10% so cheaper to use cash
ScenicO********
ScenicO********
@Roy *******
I tried. The Revolut scan didn’t work with prompt pay. Maybe it’s been updated since my last go.
Roy ********
Roy ********
Thought I’d check out Google and found this ………

You do not need a separate scan app because Revolut has a built-in QR scanner inside the app.

How to use the built-in scanner in Revolut:

1. Open the Revolut app and unlock it.

2. Tap Payments (the double arrow icon) on the bottom navigation bar.

3. Tap the QR code icon located in the top-right corner of the search bar.

4. Allow camera access if prompted, then point your camera at the QR code to pay or request money.

Checked it out and you can scan with Revolut , not tried it yet but will do next time I’m in Thailand December
Phil ******
Phil ******
Take cash and change it in Thailand
Alan *****
Alan *****
@Phil *****
that’s the very very best way. You save a fortune
ClassyJa********
ClassyJa********
Try Moreta
Seren *******
Seren *******
ClassyJaguar6429 at the minute this only works in Thailand if you are from the US or Canada. Works great in neighbouring countries though 😂
Sarah *******
Sarah *******
I use cash only.. I go to my bank with passport and withdraw a lump sum to last a month or two, one bank fee rather than ATM charges . Cash is king and I know that no one is cloning my card etc
Ana **********
Ana **********
Sarah Dorey then you can't shop at IKEA, coz they don't accept cash 😑
Elías ********
Elías ********
Sarah Dorey cash isn't king here
Peter ***************
Peter ***************
Elías Molina cash is king everywhere, just that some places have made it difficult or impossible to use. Losing the option is a slippery slope to dystopia
Martin *******
Martin *******
Sarah Dorey paranoid
Billy ************
Billy ************
Wise or Revolut on Apple/Google pay.
Martin *******
Martin *******
Billy Arrowsmith he literally says he can’t use Wise or Revolut
Gregory *********
Gregory *********
Draw cash off wise in large amounts. 20 to 30k at a time
Paul ********
Paul ********
Use revolut in places that take card. Just add it to Apple Pay
Martin *******
Martin *******
Paul Durkan he literally says he can’t use Revolut
Paul ********
Paul ********
Martin Roper he can use it as a credit card in most places but obviously not in small shops.

I use mine to get meals and pay for my golf every day.
Arnold **********
Arnold **********
Cash is king
Martin *******
Martin *******
Arnold Johnston it hasn’t been king for 25 years
John **********
John **********
@Martin ******
it is in Thailand
Elías ********
Elías ********
Lynn Bhongsiri you need a visa, any visa (not visa exempt).
Lynn ***********
Lynn ***********
Elías Molina I thought applying for TrueMoney also requires certain verification.
Elías ********
Elías ********
@John *********
it's possible with TrueMoney, without a bank account.
Elías ********
Elías ********
@John *********
nobody uses it in Thailand, everything is QR codes now.
Martin *******
Martin *******
@John *********
so what? That is a tiny % of the population. He can get a Thai wise account on a DTV and pay that way anyway
John **********
John **********
@Martin ******
difficult if you don't have a Thai bank account
Martin *******
Martin *******
@John *********
no it isn’t, most of the population pay by scan and have done for years

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