thailand
Ask question

What are the options for transferring money cheaply into Thailand from a Wise account without a Thai bank account?

Money TransferWiseTransfer ServicesThailandExpat BankingWestern UnionMoneyGramATM FeesCurrency ExchangeInternational Transfers
Jun 8, 2023
a year ago
Josh **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
How can one get money (cheaply) into Thailand, from a Wise account, without a Thai bank account? Can I have that money transferred to bank branches here to collect? Any services which do something like this for a more affordable rate than withdrawing from my south African account at ATMs.
2,865
views
7
likes
66
all likes
26
replies
3
images
17
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Users suggest various options for transferring money into Thailand from a Wise account without a Thai bank account. Alternatives include sending money to a local friend with a Thai bank account, using services like Western Union or MoneyGram, and leveraging the support of acquaintances to withdraw cash. There are discussions about fees and exchange rates associated with these services.
NaTasha ***************
Transfer to a friend and let them take it out the ATM
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ********
Moneygram
a year ago
Like
Reply
Adam ********
Go into a thai bank with the following; bank card, passport and polite attitude and ask them to get you the money out. Avoids the ATM fees.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@Adam *******
It helps if you do one of the following, 1) tell them the ATM doesn't work for your card or 2) request to withdraw a larger amount than the ATM allows.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Jack *********
You can transfer to me. No fees.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Us *****
Find a Thai gf and transfer money to her bank account. Hopefully she will give you the money so you can spend it on her and other "stuff."
a year ago
Like
Reply
Phil ******
@Josh *********
 you can't
a year ago
Like
Reply
Steve ********
You can send to my account. I'll PM you the number. I'll meet you at National Stadium station under the click. I'll have your cash waiting for you
a year ago
Like
Reply
Pete *******
@Steve *******
 £2000, under the clock at Victoria Station, no questions asked, regards Jeffrey…..
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
James *********
Used MoneyGram for years, very good exchange rate. They've changed their methods now and can hold your money for up to 2 weeks, though usually a week. Also note, I sent a large sum of money, over several months last year, and now my account doesn't work. I've written, called, spoken to several employees, in India and the States, to no avail. Best wishes 🙏
a year ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@James ********
 moneygram seems to be improving. For many years, their exchange rates were far worse than Wise. So I never used them. But now, depending on currencies involved they are actually competitive with Wise
a year ago
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@James ********
 2 points under the banking exchange rate so not that good but better than WU and cheaper fees. Always instant transfer with Moneygram, never had to wait.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Todd *********
Wise can only send to a specific bank account. Use a friend’s.. or your hotel
a year ago
Like
Reply
Henrik ****
Western Union can do it. You transfer the money to WU and WU issues a code that will give you or whomever the money in Thailand at a WU office against this code.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brian **********
I transfer to a friend with Wise with no ATM or Wise ATM fees. Each transaction costs 31.7 baht with no cost to my friend.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@Brian *********
 and here is the mid market rate at the same time. 628.02 baht is the difference and therefore the actual cost of the transaction. ($24.08 CAD)
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brian **********
Todd McGowan I actually buy Thai baht when prices are higher (such as today) and leave in my Thai baht account. Wise offers a great way to hold several currencies. Your example is only 0.8% cost of exchange. Great rate
a year ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@Brian *********
 the recent increase in value of CAD is strongly correlated to BoC interest rate increase yesterday. But the strategy of ‘buying baht when prices are higher’ will leave you a poor man indeed as the baht has hammered the CAD for over a decade. Covid has given Canadians a little breathing space as it hurt the tourism reliant baht.

Yes - 0.8%. Wise has great rates. But quite far from the 31.7 baht you indicated earlier as the cost.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brian **********
@Todd ********
 well I’m not disputing what you are saying, however, I just yesterday transferred Thai baht for a FEE of 31.7 baht cost of transaction to a friends account-as stated. If I use an ATM in Thailand I am charged 220 Baht by bank -plus- the Wise ATM fee of 528 baht ( on 30,000), thereby saving 716.3 baht. I’m talking FEES not exchange rate on transactions. Well worth finding a friend to transfer to.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@Brian *********
 ah yes- ok! I understand what you are doing. The 220 baht ATM fee is annoying!!! You don’t have a bank account in thailand I assume.

One possibility with this is that you put the money into your Wise account (baht) and get a Wise card. You can then take the money out directly from the bank by presenting at a teller. Not sure if this really works as I have not done it, but understand others do
a year ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
@Brian *********
 if you send $3k CAD to Thailand via Wise now, here is what you end up with
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Manfred **********
Wise is not Western Union. If you need cash, WU is the way to go
a year ago
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@Manfred *********
 true. Just be prepared to pay thru the nose
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Brandon ************
That's not how Wise works. The only option besides transferring to a bank account is using a Wise card at an ATM which will incur the 220₿ ATM fee.

If you have a friend with a Thai bank account you can transfer to them and have them withdraw from ATM for you.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What alternatives can I use for transferring money to Thailand after Wise removed the long-term stay option?
111 comments
2 months ago
What are the cheapest ways to transfer money from an Indian bank account to a Thai bank account?
54 comments
2 months ago
What are the best methods to transfer money from Australia to a bank account in Thailand?
22 comments
3 months ago
What are the best methods to transfer money from the US to Thailand without losing too much on exchange rates?
102 comments
3 months ago
What are the best apps for sending money to Thailand besides Wise?
61 comments
6 months ago
Is WISE the best option for transferring money to a Thai bank account?
100 comments
6 months ago
Is Wise a reliable service for transferring money from Australia to Thailand?
31 comments
6 months ago
What are the pros and cons of using Wise for transferring money to Thailand compared to bank transfers?
55 comments
8 months ago
What is the best way to access 200,000 THB from Australia to buy a car in Thailand without a local bank account?
37 comments
8 months ago
What are the best ways to quickly exchange money for Baht in Thailand?
82 comments
9 months ago
What are the best options for sending money to Thailand from the UK, especially if facing issues with Wise?
38 comments
10 months ago
Is Wise a good choice for withdrawing money in Thailand?
54 comments
a year ago
What are the top methods for sending money person-to-person in Thailand without a local bank account?
21 comments
a year ago
Is it better to withdraw cash from a local ATM in Thailand or transfer funds using Wise?
50 comments
a year ago
What are the best alternatives to Wise for transferring money between the US and Thailand?
95 comments
a year ago
What are the best Thai banks for expats using Wise to transfer money?
128 comments
a year ago
Should I use Wise or Bangkok Bank for transferring money to my account in Thailand?
39 comments
a year ago
What is the best way to transfer funds to Thailand for visa purposes and minimize costs?
290 comments
2 years ago
What are the best options for transferring money from the US to a Thai bank account?
14 comments
2 years ago
What are the best and cheapest options to transfer money from the UK to Thailand?
156 comments
2 years ago
What are some alternatives to Wise for transferring money from the USA to a Thai bank?
70 comments
2 years ago
What are the best alternatives to Wise for sending money from Thailand to a US bank account?
20 comments
2 years ago
What are the best methods and apps for transferring money to a Thai bank account as an expat?
23 comments
3 years ago
What are the best ways to send money to Thailand while avoiding high fees?
137 comments
3 years ago
What is the easiest and cheapest way to send money to South Africa from Thailand?
7 comments
5 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.