Answered3 months ago
What are the best ways to access funds for renting in Thailand before establishing a bank account?
How does one go about bringing and/or access enough to rent. Say for round numbers 1st month plus 2 months deposit 100kBaht. Since can’t open bank until I have residence I will have to take out of an ATM that much ? Travel in with that much cash? What is most expeditious way to cover costs before a person is set up.
Answer summary
Bringing sufficient funds to rent in Thailand, especially 100,000 Baht (for first month's rent and a two-month deposit), can be challenging without a local bank account. Various solutions include carrying up to $10,000 cash upon arrival, using services like Wise and Revolut for transfers, or withdrawing cash from ATMs if limits allow. Many landlords may prefer cash payments initially; hence having multiple withdrawal methods and backup payment options is advised until you are settled.
24 repliesnewest first
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Laurie ********
Get a wise card
Steven ************
I bring 25k usd with me every trip. Just dont tell any random people you have it and your fine. Or yiu can bring gold bars since they are not considered a monetary device in america and dont even have to declare it
Greg *******
Transfer with Wise
Andy **********
Get a visa, open account, sorted
Eileen ***********
Pull 20 k daily at a mall bank.
Bob ******
Eileen Stelladog You can pull as much as your ATM card allows. Some banks can handle 30K at one time, but no limit on how many times you withdraw other than card limit.
Eileen ***********
Bob Wolf yeah. that’s the idea. where do you get 30,000? i’m waiting for my stolen license replacement to finally open a thai bank account count.
Erik ******
I use the Revolut app for paying my rent and other transfers. Cheap and easy
GreyEle*******
Just a personal experience but my property manager which is through Origin Vertical a condo development company. They only accepted first payment in cash from Farangs. Some to not to do with issues returning security deposits through banks.
Unless you already have a bank account, I think pulling out ฿100k through an ATM might be a challenge. Bringing cash with you and using currency conversion should solve the problem.
Unless you already have a bank account, I think pulling out ฿100k through an ATM might be a challenge. Bringing cash with you and using currency conversion should solve the problem.
Scott ********
OPWill just park $5k in Wise thank you b for the advise all
Lynnette *******
You can transfer to the owners bank account.
Paul **********
Wise transfer
Tony *********
You can bring 10k u.s dollar cash in your hand . Problem solved
Andy **********
Tony Cabello No, try a higher number
Micheal **********
Andy Johnston What he's saying, is that American immigration rules limit cash flying out of the country, to a maximum of $10K. 10K would buy him some breathing room and give him some working capital to begin to get himself situated.
Brandon ************
Any of those is an option. Or just use Wise to transfer directly to the owner or agent's account.
You don't necessarily need a lease to get a bank account though. You just need a residence certificate from immigration, and most immigration offices only care about the TM30 filed the by the owner of where you are staying. Even a hotel will work most of the time.
You don't necessarily need a lease to get a bank account though. You just need a residence certificate from immigration, and most immigration offices only care about the TM30 filed the by the owner of where you are staying. Even a hotel will work most of the time.
Kenneth *********
I've used PayPal or its subsidiary Xoom for my transfers. I've had good and bad experiences with Wise, and bad with Western Union. Customer service was superior with Xoom.
BrightQu********
@Brandon ***********
would need to check landlord's bank account first. UOB Thailand for example has not been possible to pay into via Wise.Scott ********
OPConsidered cash was unaware I could park money in WISE will look at that already opened an account
Jay *******
Scott Farkas you don't need to park cash in wise, you can send it as needed. You also want cash and credit cards as backup, because you never know what will happen. Some cards like Schwab refund foreign atm fees so you don't pay 250 baht a transaction. Make sure you have MULTIPLE ways to get money until you are settled and know what works best for you. Money gram and western union are available as emergency backup if needed, but would consider them an option of last resort.
Jay *******
Micheal Millsaps it's working fine now and has for years. I'm not changing anything unless I have to. And yes it is set up in my home country where I still have a valid address.
Micheal **********
@Jay ******
Is the Wise account address you have on file with Wise in your home country? If so KEEP that address as your home address, as far as Wise is concerned. Do NOT switch to a Thai address, as the Government of Thailand is getting involved in Thai addressed Wise accounts, and it is going to make incoming money transfers harder to prove as "international transfers" into Thai banks. So, in short, do NOT change your Wise home address to a Thai address, then you'll be fine.
Also, any money you DO park in a Wise account draws WAY better interest than in an American bank checking account.
Last time I got a Wise interest payment, Wise was paying at 3.7%.
Jay *******
Stephen Hind no thanks. They have been great with transfers, but I'd rather keep my money invested elsewhere and transfer as needed. Far too little customer support if there is a problem.
Stephen ******
@Jay ******
Jay I suggest you check Wise interest ratesActivity
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