What is the best way to maintain an English bank account while living in Thailand and using services like Wise for transfers?

Why does Wise increase prices?

You answered your own question

Lloyds bank for example has an off shore banking service maybe you can get an account there? Sure other banks do too, but yes best for driving licence etc too is to mention a UK address via friend or family

First Direct allows an account to stay open if live overseas if you had the account before you left the UK. You can even change the address and use your Thai address and they'll send you statements and new cards to your Thai address.

I need to make visa run for 30 day extension. Can I fly to Cambodia stay a few hours then fly back to bkk .I understand no problems if done by bus .is there any difference if by air

@Jason ********

best way is activity in account and uk address

People suggest keeping a UK address and mobile phone number on your account, check out (1p mobile, they do a package it's £30 for one year) it's free to receive messages in Thailand, ideal for bank OTPs etc, if possible also stay on the electoral register.

Just need a uk address

Be careful.. Uk banks are having a purge on under used accounts held by expats.. in some instances forcing account closures.. so it's probably better to keep your Uk accounts registered to a Uk address.. simply update your address using a close relative's residence (with their permission of course) and maintain this as your 'home address' for all Uk purposes.. don't inform your bank you will be out of country permanently or you'll open a huge can of worms.. besides there is no compulsion to do so provided you have a valid address on file with them so mail does not get returned to them.. and change all correspondence preferences to email where feasible.. you will also need to maintain a contactable Uk phone number.. which could possibly mean using the relatives land line.. although imo it's better to retain a Uk mobile number to have access to bank sms features for such things as internet banking and authorisation codes.. this can be easily achieved by moving your Uk mobile number to a service like Expatfone.. which will give you free calls from Thailand to Uk numbers as well as sms capability and access to voicemail for a fixed monthly fee.. this effectively shields your location when you are outside the Uk.. and can be very useful for many Uk business relationships.. selected 'people' can then call you on a Uk number instead of dialing an international number.. perhaps useful in situations where an organisation cannot (or will not) use alternative comms like Line, Signal, Telegram, Viber, or WhatsApp that offer free VoIP.. it's worth remembering that you will need to show Uk presence to renew your Uk driving licence too.. which will otherwise expire.. and this can be done online provided you have a Uk address.. with documents going to your safe address.. ie. your son / daughter / sibling's home.. and since your DL contains your Uk home address it becomes an valid proof of identity and proof of address for all Uk relationships.. including updating of your address with your bank!

Use a pals house and tick no paperwork / statements everything managed by email

Had Royal Bank of Scotland account open for 30 years while living here. They know my Thai address.

I use Lloyds. Told them my new address in Thailand. Nothing has changed. I still use it even after 5+ years out of the country

Why not use a debit card from your English bank?

Don't let them know you've left...

If you have an account in the UK and move to Thailand, there is no issue keeping your account. Give your Thai address to your bank and they will send all correspondence there. Once you have an account in Thailand you can use Wise to transfer money from the UK.

I have lived in Thailand for more than 30 years and maintained my Westpac account in Australia (yes, I informed them of my Thai address). You shouldn't have any problems.

Bank of America, I understand, is the ONLY way.

The likes of Natwest, HSBC, Lloyds etc require large sums to open maintain an offshore account. However Standard Bank offers an offshore account with a minimum of deposit of £5,000 - the lowest requirement i have seen so far.

Use a family member or friends address

Look at HSBC they do a card called global and don’t charge to send money out you can do it online out there 👍

Many years ago, I worked in the US, and it was advantageous to move my Natwest account to Isle of Man: just finished uni and I was in overdraft. Check with your bank about expat banking services.

The best way is to make sure they don't know you're out of the country. If you have a relative's house you can use as your mailing address or something similar.