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What is the safest way to transfer a large sum of money to a friend in Thailand for a house purchase?

Money Transfer Thai Real Estate SWIFT Transfer Visa Requirements Banking in Thailand Currency Exchange

May 31, 2025

24 days ago

Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I need to send a large sum for a Thai friend to buy a house. I don’t want comments on this, I know 100% what I am doing.

What would be the safest way to do it? 

Swift transfer to friend’s Bangkok bank is possible? Will the EU bank allow this? 

Wise/revolut I am afraid they would freeze the money and start asking all sort of questions and would be a nightmare to stay in touch with them. 

Should I come to Thailand, open a bank account and then transfer there and then to my friend? 

If so on what visa could I do this? I leave elite visa as my last option(expensive and I don’t really need to be that much in Thai for the next 5 years)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The safest method for transferring a large sum for a house purchase in Thailand is through a SWIFT transfer to a Thai bank account. It's important to specify that the funds are for purchasing property to avoid complications later. Using your EU bank for the transfer is generally accepted, but it's advisable to consult with your bank about any limitations. Alternatives such as Wise or Revolut carry a risk of freezing funds due to compliance checks, especially for large amounts. Additionally, if you choose to visit Thailand and open an account, ensure to have the right visa that permits financial transactions.

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Levi *********

Send them the keys to your crypto wallet and tell them to withdraw what they need. Safest option.

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Mick **********

I don't want comments on this . I know 100% what I'm doing. But here are my questions anyway

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Alan *****

@Mick *********

if you don’t want comments then why have you posted this 🙄🙄🙄🙄

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Mick **********

you clearly don't get humour. Read the original post

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Mick **********

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Us *****

You're not the first farang to buy their lady friend a house. For a purchase this big, use a wire transfer. Just write down it is for her to buy a house.

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David *********

The issue you should take care of is the currency exchange rate I use key currency much better rates

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Brandon *********

I’m sure she’s lovely and she is into you for your personality and charm

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John *******

You: I know what I'm doing.

'asks Facebook for advice'

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Johny ******

OMG🤦 Another fool

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Swaraj ********

SWIFT transfer

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Danny *******

Always wise inbetween then chunks paid to the Thai bank converted to THB , this way you can test first small payment also and the total transfer is really low. Wise is a pass through account not holding a balance, usually holds are triggered by balances. You just add , convert and move. If you are worried about holds again do small amounts

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Philip ***********

Just bank to bank

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Alan *****

@Philip **********

the problem with that is the exchange rate. You get far less from the bank than with Wise ect

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Nongnuch ********

from a certain amount on, the fees from WISE make a bank-to-bank transfer the better method, regardless the better exchange rate by Wise. This amount usually starts at around 35,000 Euro

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Nongnuch ********

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Steve ****

Large transfers use SWIFT.

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Gregory ********

Use swift—then as reason could use—property investment—safest and you have proof you remitted it—so in the future if you needed to transfer funds out of Thailand—this would be your proof

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Gregory ********

Bank accounts—big mission now—clamping down and will only get one —with long term visas—not worth the effort and 800 k in the bank doing nothing—elite waste of money if you not gonna be here—swift safest and easiest—bank might just ask receiver what the funds are for—maybe if he gives the bank a heads up to expect the funds

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Gregory ********

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Stephen ********

I use Wise from European bank to thai 3rd party frequently . In the past from a spanish bank I had to do multiple wise transfers to overcome the banks daily limit.

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Jim ********

SWIFT wire transfer from bank to bank is the absolute safest for large amounts.

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Tom *******

I used OFX for transfer of large amounts

Exchange rate decent and only takes 24 hours

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Jesper *******

Simplest and straight forward transfer is Swift from EU bank to thai bank just need to verify your transfer is legit to your EU bank wise have daily limits sending to other parties except yourself

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Vacheron *******

Remember to at least make a phone call to the receiver bank's private banker, to document the process.

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Cliff *********

Hi Sebastian,

What country do you live in? Does BB have a branch there?

When I did this, I transferred money from my USA bank to BB New York branch as a Domestic transfer and the on to BB in Thailand.

The only hold up was a misplaced digit on the bank account (1 looked like7).

You should also consider sending a small amount for a test to make sure everything is ok.

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Phil ******

And don’t forget I need some too..😂😂😂😂

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Jonnie *******

I regularly use Revolut transferring funds to thailand but always to mine or my wife’s bank account in thailand, and I always try keep below the equivalently of 10,000 usd on any transfer, never had an issue with these quantities.

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Fiona ********

Asking your bank for advice on the money transfer is the best option?

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Rashid *********

Use USDT via Binance THB .. simple safe faster then any method

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Dany ********

a SWIFT transfer to whatever bank you prefer in thailand. yes it is perfectly fine for your bank and a standard procedure. dont do anything with a third party (no wise, no revolut, no agencies, no dubious companies, etc.)… just in case you could call your bank and tell them your plan to get a final advice.

the receiver account might also want to talk with his bank before receiving the money. there is also limits that trigger various actions. (unspecific)

Good luck with your 100% non-scam 😜😅

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Brook ********

I myself would consult with an experienced, competent, local lawyer to ensure your interests are protected, that you aren’t being scammed, that you meet all the requirements to use the money for the intended purpose, and that you can eventually repatriate the money if you desire.

A bank wire or cashiers check is definitely the way to go.

You also may be able to negotiate with the receiving bank for a few extra points off the exchange rate.

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Luc ************

Just use Wise like we all do.

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Brian *****

@Luc ***********

for large amounts I would definitely NOT use Wise. They have a long history of freezing funds at the most inconvenient of times.

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Brian *****

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Braulio *********

5 5 5 a gift it is

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Braulio ********

how is that related to my original post ?

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Gregory ********

@Sebastian ******

his saying put reason—gift🙈🙈🙈🙈

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Gregory ********

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Anna *********

Swift works well Ensure you nominate funds to buy property so you can get the money out of Thailand if and when you want to

It is also usually beneficial to let the Thai bank do the exchange. In my case $AUD sent and converted once it hit the Thai bank

Good luck

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for the answers.

Swift to where ? Buyers acc, Thai friends acc or my Thai bank account?

Will the EU bank allow me to transfer large amount to Thai people I am not related to?

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Anna *********

@Sebastian ******

it’s probably easier (less confusing) to send to your Thai bank and then transfer to your friends

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Anna *********

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Brian *****

Swift from your regular bank for sure the safest way.

Expect to have to convince the bank pretty hard that you’re not being scammed.

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Ernesto ********

he’s not getting scammed. He knows what he’s doing

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Wayne *******

@Ernesto *******

shhhhh, he said he didnt want any comments 😅

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Brandon *********

@Ernesto *******

I laughed so…

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Brian *****

@Ernesto *******

learn to read, I never suggested he was.

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Ernesto ********

I was be facetious dick head

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Michael ************

@Ernesto *******

the insult was unnecessary

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Charlie *********

@Ernesto *******

Sarcasm, or any other kind of humor, unless it’s really outrageous, does not translate when texted unless you indicate that’a what it is somehow, like a lol, or a laughing face or something. Lighten up. Your comment didn’t look humorous to me, either until you said it was.

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Charlie *********

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Paul ************

My friend used wise a couple weeks ago

*****

euro Belgium to kasikorn took seconds

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Wannikea *********

Swift transfer directly to the buyers account

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Will the eu bank allow this? They have all sorts of anti money laundering and terrorism funding procedures.

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Wannikea *********

@Sebastian ******

you tell them it's for a home purchase. Stop dreaming up excuses and fears, large amounts of money are transferred by individuals internationally every day for various reasons. Also that money needs to show up as international transfer into the account for a home purchase otherwise it won't qualify to be taken out of Thailand after the property is sold.

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Angy ********

@Sebastian ******

I saw people having problem to transfer big amount to other name and not only in Thailand. Try to ask at your bank if is possible to transfer as a gift or try an online currency exchange.

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Angy ********

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Lna ******

If you have one Chinese friend in your relation aske im il will find you the way in 2 mint you paid der und pick here you have to pay comision normal

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Tony **********

Swift wire transfer for larger amounts.

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Emmanuele *******************

Go to your branch and ask them. They will do a swift transfer.

Remember to clearly specify in English what is the purpose of the transfer. You should write “for [name of your friend] to buy the house [description of the property same as in the selling contract]”.

If you don’t state the purpose in every details they will not let you use the money.

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Tom ********

safest way is to use a currency exchange company such as Key currency and you can send as much as you need to.

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Jim ********

for large amounts, anything over $5000, this will be very costly in fees. A wire transfer from bank to bank is the most cost efficient. It will be a flat fee amount. My bank charges $25 for an international transfer no matter how much.

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Peter ********

I just did the same from EU bank to my Thai bank account, €31.50.

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Tom ********

I sent over 100k to here and the fees were negligible when weighed against peace of mind and security.

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Jim ********

using Wise will cost close to $500 to send $100K.

A direct international SWIFT wire from bank to bank will cost $25.

Encrypted Networks: Banks use secure systems like SWIFT to send wire instructions, ensuring messages are encrypted and authenticated.

Audit Trails: Every step of a wire transfer is recorded, making the transaction traceable.

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Tom ********

Each to their own, I have used Key currency several times because I like the security and the ability to send funds when the rate is in my favour.

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Tom ********

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Brook ********

ridiculous advice

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Tom ********

If you don't know what you are talking about probably best you don't comment.

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Tom ********

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

isn’t there the risk of them freezing the money and asking where they come from where they go, etc?

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Betty *********

@Sebastian ******

the Thai tax man will be interested.

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Tom ********

@Sebastian ******

No because you open a verified account with them and everything is above board, I used them to transfer money from Europe to here when I sold my house and came here last year. they are very professional and have been in business for many years.

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Colin **********

this is good advice

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Tom ********

@Colin *********

It's a very safe & secure way to send large sums of money and nothing is sent until you agree the exchange rate, you have complete control.

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Colin **********

I guess you have fill in a foreign exchange form and have verification of the receipant?

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Tom ********

@Colin *********

It's all very above board and once you have been verified you open an account with them which you then can send funds to, you will also be assigned an account manager who you will be able to deal with and speak to personally if and when you need to, they keep in touch constantly giving you the best advice.

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Tom ********

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Gerg **********

I’d try the wire transfer to your friend’s Thai bank with a SWIFT code. I’ve only sent money to myself that way, but it works well, is fast, and secure. Ask your EU bank about it.

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Leong ***********

You need to get a receipt (from a Thai bank) for receiving that transfer, otherwise you might not be able to repatriate that sum once you sell the property.

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Nicholas *********

@Leong **********

Not the subject

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Nicholas *********

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Malcolm *******

Do a regular Bank Transfer using Swift .

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Tony ******

There is a ‘limit’ of 20k on transfers from such as Revolut etc…

Depending on the total value you can make transfers of 19,999 without flags..

Ideally transferring to yourself (same name) raises less questions but opening an account in Thailand is NOT easy.

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Sean *************

that won’t work. Money for property needs to be sent in amounts over 20k

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John *********

, yes, I've just been through that process, relieved to finally get the account.

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Brook ********

the limit only applies to certain banks

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Tony ******

- YES but keeping it under 20k stops a lot of flags of transfer…

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Margeaux ******

baht or USD?

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Tony ******

@Margeaux *****

GBP

30k USD

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Tony ******

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Peter *********

Find out your friends swift bank account and then go into your bank and xfer the funds

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter ********

I meant if eu bank lets you send it to third party(friend bank acc) as you suggested in your first post .

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Betty *********

@Sebastian ******

why don't you ask your bank first?

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Betty *********

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter ********

does the eu bank let you do this?

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Gerhard **********

@Sebastian ******

Yes,no one will stop you to damage yourself.

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Peter *********

@Sebastian ******

yes. I transferred from uk bank to my Thai bank account using the swift bank account (hsbc to Bangkok bank)

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Peter *********

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