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What are the typical interest rates for bank accounts in Thailand compared to the US?

Thai BankingInterest RatesKasikorn BankExpat FinanceJoint AccountsVisa RequirementsReal Estate in Thailand
Jun 8, 2023
2 years ago
Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi folks,  my Thai wife has a Kasikorn account that I have been sending money to. We are planning to buy a house eventually, but I realize she’s not receiving any interest. Are there bank accounts that pay interest as I can get 4 to 5% in US banks.  on the next trip to Thailand we’re going to open up a joint account and move the funds into that. What is the normal for interest payments in Thailand? 
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is concerned that their Thai wife’s Kasikorn bank account does not earn interest comparable to 4-5% offered in US banks. They inquire about interest rates in Thailand and plan to open a joint account during their next visit. Comments reveal that interest rates in Thailand are quite low, around 0.5% to a maximum of 2%, with some participants advising to keep funds in the US for better interest and manage currency exchanges wisely. The conversation includes alternatives such as asset management accounts and mentions of financial strategies for long-term expats.
Tommi ************
4-5% interest? Is it for real?
2 years ago
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Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tommi ***********
 but trying to have a little less money in the US
2 years ago
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Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tommi ***********
 in the US yes
2 years ago
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Eric ********
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Thomas *********
Kasikorn as an Asset Management Account. Fantastic returns in the past. But be careful at the moment. All markets are over sold and cash is a great position for the next year.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
Ask everyone who has 800k baht for their visa sitting in a Thai bank doing nothing 😂😂😂 not exactly financially literate
2 years ago
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Wayne *****
2 years ago
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Joe *********
@Todd ********
 Todd what should one do instead?
2 years ago
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Wayne *****
@Joe ********
 Yep that fine as long as the new government don't do a crack down on this practice by agents. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Wayne ****
 you think the government is going to ‘crack down’ on the govt ? 😂😂
2 years ago
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Wayne *****
@Todd ********
 laugh all you want mate, take what I say as a joke if you want. Glad I could make your day. I'm still free to have my opinion, and your still free to put people down and feel good about it. Cheers buddy
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Wayne ****
 I shall indeed. definitely seemed a joke. Amplified by a cartoon as a profile pic. All good for a laugh.
2 years ago
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Wayne *****
@Todd ********
 yes freedom is a great thing, sometimes I can even do things without criticism. Enjoy your day in this wonderful world of different opinions.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Wayne ****
 I prefer the wonderful world of actual facts.
2 years ago
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Wayne *****
@Todd ********
 if you think actual facts are actually true you are free to do so. Would love to keep our conversation going but the ACTUAL fact is I don't really care what you believe, and that's a fact 😂😂😂
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Wayne ****
 carry on cartoon boy
2 years ago
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Wayne *****
@Todd ********
 thanks mate my arms are covered in cartoons 😊
2 years ago
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Wayne *****
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Mitchell *******
I would prefer to have my own account rather than an imaginary one. That is just me though.
2 years ago
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Hathaway *************
@Joe ********
 110 immigration officials arrested in February for visa fraud, I'm risk averse so I'm planning on tying up 80k and not getting deported.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Hathaway ************
 how many deportations have occurred as a result of any alleged arrests? Or right - exactly zero. Good thinking
2 years ago
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Hathaway *************
@Todd ********
 I have no idea mate but if they have arrested and charged Thai's then it's not much of a stretch to imagine that they would deport a farange.
2 years ago
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Hathaway *************
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Todd *********
Joe Gerardi I think the more rational decision for anyone 0-50 and looking for the retirement visa is to use an agent. Leave the 800k at home making 5% in your bank and avoid the transaction fees and currency exchange loss as well. The 40k+ that is easily generated by your funds at home gives you more than enough money to cover the 15k (roughly) to pay an agent to completely handle your visa renewals on your behalf. At the end of the day, you are up 20k baht or more, you wasted zero time at your Thai bank and immigration and all was taken care of.
2 years ago
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Don *********
@Todd ********
 so 800k at 5% for 2 months = 6.7k. Still cheaper to DIY if we’re making a financial comparison…
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Don ********
 why are you pretending it’s only 2 months? Ridiculous
a year ago
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Don *********
@Todd ********
 because that’s how long the money needs to stay in your account…
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Don ********
 no it’s not. The 800k must be deposited 2 months before and 3 months after. The balance cant descend under 400k at any time. And what would you do with the withdrawn 400k for 7 months?? If you bought the 800k to Thailand (which is financially absurd) you also incurred both fees and loss on currency conversion. You need a much sharper pen in doing your financial comparison
a year ago
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Don *********
@Todd ********
 incorrect - as soon as the Visa has been issued you are free to enjoy as much or as little of your THB as you choose
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Don ********
 😂😂😂 good luck with that
a year ago
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Dave *********
@Todd ********
 As long as you're happy taking the risk on the 'agent route'. Financially illiterate or risk averse, you pays your money.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Dave ********
 there is no ‘risk.’ Use a well established agency with lots of good reviews. Many people do. And have for many, many years. Follow those simple steps, and there is no risk.
2 years ago
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Dave *********
@Todd ********
 Ok then.
2 years ago
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Dave *********
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Kris ********
I guess your wife has a "deposit account" and not a "saving account"?????
2 years ago
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Jeremy ********
You need to invest in crypto coins then grow your diamond hands to get to 10,500% ROI…banks pay nothing
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Jeremy *******
 😂
2 years ago
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Jeremy ********
@Todd ********
 they don’t have diamond hands…they have paper hands 🤣🤣🤣
2 years ago
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Jeremy ********
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Geoff **********
Strange I have a Kasikorn savings account and I get paid interest (twice a year June and Dec). But rate is very low so as others say best ti leave the money overseas if you want interest for it.
2 years ago
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Alan ******
Like you, I am getting 4 to 5% in America. Whenever I need Baht, I transfer to my Thai account. Keep the bulk of the money in America and transfer when needed. I usually transfer about once a month, but I follow the exchange rate daily to choose the best time to move money.
2 years ago
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James **************
I think Wise are doing a 3.89% interest deal. I assume this is on your balance in the app.....

Or just leave it in your us account and don't tell them you're abroad, as I hv done in uk on a 5% interest account....
2 years ago
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Bernie ********
@James *************
 the wise interest rates are not guaranteed, they are dependant on the investment market as far as I can work out.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@James *************
 it doesn’t matter if your in the US or not
2 years ago
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James **************
@Bob *********
 well I couldn't get one in the uk if I told them I wasn't there anymore....so I just didn't tell them....
2 years ago
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James **************
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Martyn ***********
With the speed and ease of transferring internationally nowadays, just leave it your account in the US... Safer for multiple reasons too...
2 years ago
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Manfred **********
Almost impossible to get even 2% interest in Thailand.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Manfred *********
 you can get 5-
****
% in Cambodia
2 years ago
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Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Manfred *********
 thanks. Just looking to spread a few things again
2 years ago
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Eric ********
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Av **********
Why didn't u collect interest on it in the states? Deposit interest rate in Thailand is .51 two years ago it was .41 percent. So it has gone up lol never think of Thailand as a place to garner money
2 years ago
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Av **********
@Eric *******
 do what thais do, gold....cover yourself in it
2 years ago
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Av **********
@Eric *******
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3-funds-go-missing-from-kasikorn-account/
2 years ago
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Av **********
@Eric *******
 and u trust Thai banks? U know both locals and foreigners wake up and their money is just gone
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2 years ago
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Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Av *********
 just diversifying. Who can trust US banks anymore
2 years ago
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Eric ********
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