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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.
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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
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Brandon ********
Moneygram
a year ago
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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
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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
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Paul *******
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Jack *********
You can transfer to me. No fees.
a year ago
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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
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Phil ******
@Josh *********
 you can't
a year ago
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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
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Pete *******
@Steve *******
 £2000, under the clock at Victoria Station, no questions asked, regards Jeffrey…..
a year ago
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Pete *******
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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
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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
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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
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Steve *******
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Todd *********
Wise can only send to a specific bank account. Use a friend’s.. or your hotel
a year ago
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Todd *********
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Todd *********
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Todd *********
@Brian *********
 if you send $3k CAD to Thailand via Wise now, here is what you end up with
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Manfred **********
Wise is not Western Union. If you need cash, WU is the way to go
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Manfred *********
 true. Just be prepared to pay thru the nose
a year ago
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Todd *********
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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
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Brandon ************
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