What is the best way to send money from the UK to Thailand and use the Wise card effectively?

@John *********

Can't add anything to that!

@Ben *******

you say your Thai girlfriend pays ฿10-฿40 baht, to withdraw cash from an ATM?? with a Thai bank account, it's usually ฿15-฿20, only if you use an ATM outside of the province the bank account was opened in, but only if using the physical card, if you select "cardless withdrawal" it is free outside of province.

@Martin ****

You pay a fee withdrawing your THB from an ATM with Wise. No fee when paying by debit card.

@Steve ******

Wise has QR payment options? Where is it on the app?

@Tara *******

yes, very low fees to transfer from WISE to Thai accounts.

@Kirsten ********

what new laws ??

@Jeffrey ***********

she can do it for free with an EDU visa and letter from school.

There is nothing “just” about opening a bank account in Thailand ( and many other countrys ) if haven’t been at least 3 months in Thailand on a longterm visa, and a longterm lease.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so even depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

@Henrik ****

we aren't talking about other countries so thats a moot point and it's very easy to open a bank account on a ED visa, and much easier than a non-o...

If attending a private school (i.e language) you'll be given a letter and told what bank and branch to go to.

If attending a university, you just need the university letter and student ID and most banks will allow you to open an account.

@Henrik ****

an agent can assist with opening a bank account no problem, regardless of how long someone has been in Thailand, and also you don't need a long-term lease, your information is incorrect, I'm guessing you personally visited a bank, and that is what the staff said to you, and now you think every bank in Thailand has those same requirements, banks in Thailand are independent businesses, most have different requirements, the bank manager decides what is required, it is true that banks now ask for a long-term visa, when you walk in the bank "yourself" but what you don't seem to understand or believe, agents can easily assist with opening accounts for People, regardless of visa status or lease agreements, or how long you have been in Thailand 🤷🙆🤦

@Tim **********

excellent advice it's the best way

@Stuart ********

agree have her open a Thai Bank Acct.bopens many doors.

Wise is know as fir farang. Personally know nothing about it. I like having funds tratranfered and traced to FFT