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What is the best way to send money from the UK to Thailand and use the Wise card effectively?
Money TransfersWise CardThailandExpatsED VisaThai Bank AccountCash WithdrawalsContactless PaymentsRent PaymentsQR Code Payments
Sep 15, 2024
2 years ago
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAdvice needed about money from UK to Thailand. My daughter has recently moved to Thailand and is getting her Ed visa sorted. I'll be visiting her and sending her money, we both have wise cards (as yet unused). It suggests you can 'spend like a local' but I can't see how that works when she says they don't have contactless anywhere, also she doesn't know how to transfer her rent using Wise. She's always paid in cash and has to withdraw cash weekly. Is this how it is locally??
She's been taking money out of her uk bank at ATMs and being charged fees both ends. She tried to get cash using her passport in a bank to avoid atm fees but they refused.
I guess what I'm asking is what's the best way to use the wise card, she has a physical one and digital one, with different numbers (not sure why she has two?). It may be that I'm a dinosaur, but advice would be much appreciated.
She's been taking money out of her uk bank at ATMs and being charged fees both ends. She tried to get cash using her passport in a bank to avoid atm fees but they refused.
I guess what I'm asking is what's the best way to use the wise card, she has a physical one and digital one, with different numbers (not sure why she has two?). It may be that I'm a dinosaur, but advice would be much appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on transferring money from the UK to their daughter in Thailand, who is obtaining an Education (ED) visa. They have Wise cards but are confused about their usability in Thailand, particularly regarding cash withdrawals and payments. Respondents suggest that establishing a Thai bank account will significantly ease transactions. While contactless payments are available, cash remains prevalent. It is recommended to load the Wise card with Thai baht for ease, and to transfer money directly to a Thai bank account for rent payments and other transactions. Proper usage of Wise includes avoiding ATM withdrawals when possible to minimize fees.
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David ********
if she gets an ED visa she can open a local bank account and then you can WISE it to her Thai account
David ********
they have contactless in MANY places ... don't know what she is on about
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *******
well I'm here now, so I'll see for myself. I think when you eat in markets it's all cash.David ********
@Sally ******
in markets? of course. But you didn't say markets, you said "anywhere" which is total nonsense. Anyway, she can organise a Thai bank account on an ED visa. Good luck!Reply to
David ********
Reply
Brian *********
This possibly might not apply to you. Genuinely not sure?
Charles Schwab offers bank accounts that refunds ALL international ATM fees. Each month I get a deposit refunding the ATM fees I had been charged.
For day to day cash, that’s how I do it.
Charles Schwab offers bank accounts that refunds ALL international ATM fees. Each month I get a deposit refunding the ATM fees I had been charged.
For day to day cash, that’s how I do it.
Ralph *******
Can she get a Thai bank account? That way payments from Wise into the account will cost 47 baht and withdrawals from the account can be free.
Transitvan ******
Main problem is about 220baht.😆😆😆
Anna ********************
I used Monzo , wise and revolut (fantastic rates too also you can have disposable cards on app and as many cards to one account but if you use atm you will get charged
David *******
Open uk starling bank account for you and daughter. Download the app. Foreign currency transactions are free. Similarly barclaycard “Rewards” card. To avoid thai atm fees two options： 1. Visit thai bank with Starling or B/card Rewards card and request Cash Advance with passport. Some will refuse but others will go ahead.
2. Use xe foreign currency app to send money to yourself (or daughter ) select "cash pick-up" option from Siam Commercial Bank. Costs 100 baht whatever the amount collected.
If you know someone you trust in Thailand you can transfer to their thai bank account to obtain corresponding baht amount.
Can you tell me about education visa? I want one for my filipina girlfriend but was quoted 60,000 baht per year. A retirement visa is only 12,500 per year so the education visa is comparatively expensive. Any info welcome.
2. Use xe foreign currency app to send money to yourself (or daughter ) select "cash pick-up" option from Siam Commercial Bank. Costs 100 baht whatever the amount collected.
If you know someone you trust in Thailand you can transfer to their thai bank account to obtain corresponding baht amount.
Can you tell me about education visa? I want one for my filipina girlfriend but was quoted 60,000 baht per year. A retirement visa is only 12,500 per year so the education visa is comparatively expensive. Any info welcome.
John ********
Don't have contactless, hmm! When I was there in December I saw street food vendors that had QR systems to pay. Admittedly you need a Thai bank account. Don't know if you can open one with an ED Visa, but where there's a Thai agent, there is always a way to do anything 😂
Rok ********
As long as she withdraws max amount of 30,000 baht the 220 baht fee is not much. Withdrawing 1000 baht being charged a fee of 220 however is extortionate at 22%. She will be able to get a local bank account once she has long term ED visa; Bangkok bank and Kasikorn easiest. Thai QR is absolutely essential.
John **********
Forget using the Wise card. It's not a useful solution, particularly once you hit their monthly limit. Get a local bank account and use it like a local. Transfer money into it via Wise.
Ron ******
@John *********
Can't add anything to that!Reply to
Ron ******
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Robert *****
Yeah. First she needs a Thai bank account as everyone suggests. For shopping at grocery stores, mall stores and restaurants I use my USA Issued Barclaycard which has no conversion fees. I pay it remotely here In Bangkok on line monthly.
Ben ********
Withdraw cash off the wise card , you can use the wise to pay for things like normal bank card online and if you have the bank details of a Thai you can transfer money to them off the card, i usually send money to my gf to withdraw as her withdrawal fees like 10-40 baht where as using wise cards it’s 220
Andy **********
@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.Ben ********
@Andy *********
Bangkok bank , in Bangkok it’s 10 baht in Pattaya it’s like *****
or something She’s terrible with technology I’m not even gonna try explain cardless cash to her 😂
Reply to
Ben ********
Reply
Andy **********
Open a Thai bank account, she might possibly be able to do it herself, when she is on an ED visa, if she can't, an agent will assist her for around ฿4000.
Stephen *******
Line pay is used a lot it's similar to our Facebook but has payment facility on it download the line app on phones
Tom *******
Good comment. load the wise account with Bhat converted in the wise account then easy to pay with physical card. Big C supermarket do not accept it or a other non Thai cards. No
Henrik *****
Always get the maximum amount, not the fixed ones, when using a ATM.
Select “other amount” and put in the desired amount.
Use “No conversion”.
Select “other amount” and put in the desired amount.
Use “No conversion”.
Mikkel *******
You say she is getting an educational visa. If it's a proper school/university they can help with a letter to open a bank account. My uni offers this service.
Martin *****
Inside wise app you can open a thai baht account, transfer cash on it and withdraw using your wise physical visa card at any atm in Thailand without fees... more comfortable is the following: open a kasikorn bank account, transfer money on it using wise, then use only kasikornbank debit card and pay cashless or by qr code with app without any fees
Andi ***********
@Martin ****
You pay a fee withdrawing your THB from an ATM with Wise. No fee when paying by debit card.Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
oh that's not what someone else said they said wise will charge for contactless.Andi ***********
@Sally ******
I was in Bangkok for 10 days 3 weeks ago. I loaded the card with THB before the trip. No charges for direct debit payments from my THB account when in Bangkok.Wise is great for loading with a currency and then using it charge free via direct debit card. Not good for ATM use I think.Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andi **********
when you say direct debit payments, you mean like setting up regular bill payments? Or do you mean using like a debit card? Is chip and pin a thing if contactless isn't?Andi ***********
@Sally ******
Direct debit card, I used chip and pin or contactless in stores, restaurants daily in BangkokMartin *****
@Andi **********
to be honest I withdraw cash very rarely, always using cashless function.. and it was always no charge, so I assumed arm is also no charge.. But nowadays I load kasikorn debit card by wise and there's no fee at all.. very happy. 😀
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martin ****
what's the cashless function? Is that contactless?Martin *****
@Sally ******
hire an agent like @Mots *********
and get a kasikornbank account and a kbank debit card.. with that you can pay cashless by QR code everywhere in thailand without fee..Andi ***********
@Martin ****
It is smart to use Kasikorn or other Thai Banks for ATM use.Reply to
Andi ***********
Reply
Steve *******
Contactless/QR code payments everywhere in Thailand, even in middle of nowhere villages
Lloyd *********
@Steve ******
Wise has QR payment options? Where is it on the app?Steve *******
@Lloyd ********
No idea, I don't use WiseReply to
Steve *******
Reply
Tara ********
Set up landlord thai account on wise and transfer rent like that
I have used my wise tap and pay several times in Thailand but by no means is it everywhere or even near
If she has Ed visa already, she will be able to open thai bank acc, then just transfer from wise to that.
I rarely ever have any cash at all any more in Thailand.
I have used my wise tap and pay several times in Thailand but by no means is it everywhere or even near
If she has Ed visa already, she will be able to open thai bank acc, then just transfer from wise to that.
I rarely ever have any cash at all any more in Thailand.
Michael *********
@Tara *******
yes, very low fees to transfer from WISE to Thai accounts.Reply to
Michael *********
Reply
จอย ******
I use RV it good for use in Thailand and can be exchange to Thai bath and get cash out too
Brian ********
Don't forget to turn on your contactless option on your Wise card I think it's turned off by default, just go into the wise app look for the card symbol and that's where you can turn it on
Kirsten *********
I use my wise card all over. Not a lot of contactless but Tap n pay is ok. Safer probably. If she can open a bank account great. If not direct transfer from wise to landlord. Actually if she’s going to be here over 180 days that’s more tax efficient according to new laws. Either way transfer the money into Thai Baht inside wise. Digital card works well for online payments otherwise not needed. Think of it as a back up. You lose your physical card, you can still book a hotel, buy a flight etc. DM me if you’re still not sure
Bob **********
@Kirsten ********
what new laws ??Kirsten *********
***************************************************************************************
Marc ********
@Kirsten ********
Creditcard spending counts as income I have red.Reply to
Marc ********
Reply
Kirsten *********
as from January 2024 if we are tax resident in Thailand we have to pay taxes on moneys remittted to Thailand. Previously we did not.
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*****
89/navigating-new-foreign-income-rulesReply to
Kirsten *********
Reply
Jeffrey ************
She could get help to open a bank account for about 5,000 baht.
Stephen *********
@Jeffrey ***********
she can do it for free with an EDU visa and letter from school.Declan **********
@Stephen ********
they will even tell her what bank and branch to go to and where it is located.Mikkel *******
@Stephen ********
just mentioned the same. Letter from school and a bank account should be no issue.Reply to
Mikkel *******
Reply
Declan **********
Just open a bank account in thailand. You can do most things through wise but it becomes a massive pain in the arse if you are here longterm.
When she gets her ED-Visa her school should also give her a letter and be able to tell her which bank to take the letter too (if a language school) if its a proper Ed-Visa (university (Masters, Bachelor etc) then it doesn't matter what bank she takes the letter and student ID to as most will accept it.) However if it's a language school it's better to just go with the bank the school suggests.
When she gets her ED-Visa her school should also give her a letter and be able to tell her which bank to take the letter too (if a language school) if its a proper Ed-Visa (university (Masters, Bachelor etc) then it doesn't matter what bank she takes the letter and student ID to as most will accept it.) However if it's a language school it's better to just go with the bank the school suggests.
Henrik *****
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.
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.
Declan **********
@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.
Andy **********
@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 🤷🙆🤦Reply to
Andy **********
Reply
Bob **********
You’ll pay 220 baht for Thai ATM and about the same for the wise card gets expensive
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
oh so, that's just how it is then, unless you get a Thai bank account.Bob **********
@Sally ******
yes I only use WISE to transfer to my Thai bank I have no funded account with WISE and you get a great rateReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Kim ********
When I was in Thailand recently I used my Wise card whenever I could (supermarket, some restaurants, activities). There’s usually a small charge to cover the merchant fee.
I used my Wise card to withdraw from ATMs but I had already loaded the card with Thai baht. aTMs do charge a fee so I used to withdraw a significant amount to limit the number of times I needed to get cash.
The two numbers is for your security. In the event you misplace your physical card, the digital one can still be used as it’s a different number and vice versa. I used the digital number when I set up my grab account.
Hope that helps a little
I used my Wise card to withdraw from ATMs but I had already loaded the card with Thai baht. aTMs do charge a fee so I used to withdraw a significant amount to limit the number of times I needed to get cash.
The two numbers is for your security. In the event you misplace your physical card, the digital one can still be used as it’s a different number and vice versa. I used the digital number when I set up my grab account.
Hope that helps a little
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kim *******
so do you load your wise card with gbp then convert it to Thai Baht as you go?Anita ******
@Sally ******
I am visiting my son soon. I have done this. Then I use the Baht in my account to pay for most things. I converted when the rate was 46 baht to £. Used last year and had no probs at all. I never use machines.
Kim ********
@Sally ******
I converted it before I left Australia. I found it very easy to use the card for Grab, leaving just cash for other things that didn’t accept card.Kim ********
@Sally ******
I loaded my Aussie dollar then converted it to Thai Baht and the card will automatically use the local currency first. I only used grab for food and transport with the digital wise card which is linked to the one wise account. Meant if I was unfortunate enough to perhaps get hacked, I still had the physical card. It was very easy to set up a grab account too.
Reply to
Kim ********
Reply
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kim *******
excellent. I think she uses cash for grab and cash on delivery for lazada, so can she use wise for lazada?Bob ********
@Sally ******
yes you can set up your card so that Lazada charges it automaticallyReply to
Bob ********
Reply
Tim ***********
So the best thing to do is to open a bank account and transfer from her wide account. Everything is done by qr code scanning here. If she wants to transfer from wise to her landlord she can easily do that in wise with the landlords bank info. This is what I do and I just transfer from wise to my Thai bank account each month. Day to day transactions are much easier if you have a Thai bank. Top up it up with wise.
Brian ********
@Tim **********
excellent advice it's the best wayTim ***********
@Brian *******
wise is the best. It takes seconds to get to my landlord and money in my Thai bank accountReply to
Tim ***********
Reply
Stuart *********
Best option is to get a Thai bank account - which certainly isn’t easy unless she uses an agent.
Many places have contactless payments but generally cash is king unless you have a Thai account where everyone uses QR payments direct from the bank app.
Many places have contactless payments but generally cash is king unless you have a Thai account where everyone uses QR payments direct from the bank app.
Steve **********
@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
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
yes she said its QR codes so I didn't know if Wise had that option.. if you can 'spend like a local'Stuart *********
@Sally ******
QR codes only work with Thai bank accounts (there may be some exceptions with regional banks soon or already) but not with Wise. QR codes are just ubiquitous here. Buy a banana from a street seller and pay by QR code. All market sellers have codes on their stalls. Can’t remember the last time i used cash. Used to be only at a 7-11 but now if you spend 200 baht there you can use contactless payment cards like Wise or Revolut.
Marc ********
@Stuart ********
Big C, Lotus, Tops all accept contactless even below 200bI wonder why it matters to 7eleven!?!
Reply to
Marc ********
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Jim ******
I use my WISE card all the time in Thailand. I pay for my hotels, at restaurants etc. And withdraw cash at ATM's
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim *****
do you get charged 222 each time?Gary *******
@Sally ******
just open a Thai bank account it easy to doJim ******
@Sally ******
only for ATM withdraws. Could go into the bank with your passport to avoid the ATM feeSally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim *****
we tried that, she was refused.Reply to
Sally *******
Reply
Henrik *****
Only in ATMs, when used in shops, restaurants etc. no 220 baht fee, but some will put 2-3 % extra on the bill.
Sometimes they will refrain from the 2-3 %, if you say, you will buy elsewhere.
Sometimes they will refrain from the 2-3 %, if you say, you will buy elsewhere.
Reply to
Henrik *****
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