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What is the difference between international and local money transfers to a Thai bank for expats?
International TransfersLocal TransfersThai Visa RequirementsMoney Transfer ProceduresExpat Financial ManagementCondominium Purchases in ThailandTax Residency in ThailandRemittance Tax System
Mar 19, 2026
a month ago
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERWhen transfering
Money into a Thai bank, what difference does it make if it goes thru as an international transfer,or local transfer, I know it has to be an international transfer if your buying a condo. TIA
Money into a Thai bank, what difference does it make if it goes thru as an international transfer,or local transfer, I know it has to be an international transfer if your buying a condo. TIA
TLDR : Answer Summary
Transferring money into a Thai bank can differ significantly based on whether it's classified as an international or local transfer, especially concerning visa and tax implications. For expats, international transfers are often necessary for certain financial transactions, such as buying property, and help meet visa extension requirements by proving a consistent income from overseas. Visa regulations typically require that funds be clearly sourced through international transactions to avoid complications with immigration. The discussion also touches on methods like using services such as Wise or KBank for facilitating these transfers, highlighting the importance of documentation to clarify the origins and purpose of the funds during visa applications.
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Todd **********
Great question for FB with all these legal beagles… cracks me up 🙄🙄
John ********
Get a letter from your bank to say where you got the funds and what they are for. It will make your life a lot easier
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERJohn Bedard that doesn’t work. Wise go thru k bank & k bank puts it into your bank as a local transfer
John ********
Alan Bow I followed the instructions from KBank. I went to the manager in advance. Told him I was buying a home and doing a transfer of the funds from a forign bank for purchase. I listened and had zero issue's
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERJohn Bedard Bangkok bank don’t do that. K bank is better
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Alan *****
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Stephen ********
I need to show a minimum of 65k baht each month from overseas to satisfy extension of stay requirements
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERStephen Howell yes I was informed about that. It makes sense
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Alan *****
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Tore *********
For visa purposes, for tax purposes (remittance based tax system)
Stephen ********
Tore Valberg Nothing to do with tax
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERTore Valberg how does that work. Do you have to pay the tax on international transfers Or local
Tore *********
Alan Bow not necessarily. It depends im the source and time it was earned, tax treaties and tax already paid in source country.
However it does prove it was foreign source, so you can claim potentially applicable exemption or tax credits. Which can be very tax advantageous.
But too big topic to cover here, and depends on so many individual details.
However it does prove it was foreign source, so you can claim potentially applicable exemption or tax credits. Which can be very tax advantageous.
But too big topic to cover here, and depends on so many individual details.
Stephen ********
Alan Bow Just transfer money from savings. Savings are not income so are not taxable
David *********
Stephen Howell if the savings is seasoned for 12 months. US SS is not taxable. However, other income including annuities payments are taxable in Thailand if you live here more than 180 days.
Stephen ********
David Rothgeb I'm talking about savings. Savings are not taxed. Only interest on savings is taxed. Plus retaining tax residency in home country can also be a deciding factor
Tore *********
Stephen Howell not really. That changed from 2024 onwards. But still applicable for income earned prior to 2024.
Your home country tax residency status has no impact on how thai RD see you thai Tax residency status. (Only 180+ days or not determines that) But if tax is paid in certain income types “at home”, you typically can deduct already paid tax as tax credit. This avoiding effective tax in Thailand. But depends on Tax Treaties and vary country by country.
That said, you should only have one primary tax residency. Though US has some bizarre rules around that.
Anyway, too complicated topic to cover in a FB comment. But you are a little outdated. Any income from 1st January 2024 while thai tax resident is assessable. If you can prove it was earned pre 2024, your good.
Your home country tax residency status has no impact on how thai RD see you thai Tax residency status. (Only 180+ days or not determines that) But if tax is paid in certain income types “at home”, you typically can deduct already paid tax as tax credit. This avoiding effective tax in Thailand. But depends on Tax Treaties and vary country by country.
That said, you should only have one primary tax residency. Though US has some bizarre rules around that.
Anyway, too complicated topic to cover in a FB comment. But you are a little outdated. Any income from 1st January 2024 while thai tax resident is assessable. If you can prove it was earned pre 2024, your good.
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Tore *********
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John **********
It depends on the purpose of the money. If you are planning to use 12 monthly transfers for an annual extension of stay application they must also show as international transfers
John *******
@John *********
Mine shows up as promptpay and immigration has accepted it.Stephen ********
John Foose Provided it's international transfer no problem
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Stephen ********
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Bernie **********
Wise
Alan *****
ORIGINAL POSTERBernie Williams use wise. But your not understanding the question
Ken **********
Alan Bow wise charges you for each transfer.
Use XEmoney..no fees
Use XEmoney..no fees
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Ken **********
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Bob **********
They want to know where you got the money
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Bob **********
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