thailand
Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What method is best to bring 800,000 THB for a retirement visa in Thailand: cash, money order, bank check, or travelers check?

Thailand VisaRetirement VisaMoney TransferThai Bank AccountNon-O VisaExpat Financial Tips
Oct 6, 2025
2 months ago
Graham ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey all, thanks for all the good advice from a few weeks ago. l am now set to travel on 11 October via Singapore and into Jomtien Monday 12. Just 1 last question for the group....

Is it easier to bring a money order, bank check or travellers check to the value of 800,000thb? Can't take that much cash, approx $au38,000 and without an account to transfer into, cannot do an EFT.

Any help will be gratefully accepted.
3,014
views
9
likes
92
all likes
42
replies
1
images
15
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is set to travel to Jomtien, Thailand, and is seeking advice on the best method to bring 800,000 THB for a retirement visa, given the constraints of not being able to take cash and not having a local bank account for transfers. Community comments suggest that bringing a money order or travelers cheque may not suffice, as Thai law requires the funds to be deposited in a Thai bank account. Opening a local bank account upon arrival and transferring money via international transfer services like Wise or Revolut is recommended. It's also pointed out that cash can be brought into Thailand up to 20,000 USD without declaration.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...
recently on Facebook
Luca G.
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...
recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Greg ***********
currency in or out of Thailand
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Martyn ***********
Who says you can't bring cash? The rule is 20k USD without declaring. So declare it... When.. Or if.. You need to take out again, declaring makes the process of proving it came from abroad easier.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
Because my cb account is usd i withdraw to my usd revolut account and wait for a more favourable exchange rate i also transfer between accounts in app to make money but revolut has high fees especially on crypto

Ps if anybody uses cb be aware that the fees are a lot lower if you trade advanced and not on the basic account settings just look for the advanced toggle button
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
Contact revolut. I kno they have accounts where you can hold multi currencies they do this by having local accounts to the currency you hold for example I have usd gbp jpy thb cny zar sgd hkd so if i want a payment to my usd account i give the acc details for my usd acc which is held in the us etc. Maybe you could do this then if in the future you want to change to thb bank you could just transfer it to a thai bank technically if you transfer from your revolut uk account to your revolut thb account this should be an international transfer because your thb account has a thai address
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Howard *******
Not sure why you say you can't bring that much cash? I always take cash to Thailand and get the best exchange rate from the money changer at Central, Lad Prao. If you do transfer from Aus bank to Thai bank, you will probably get the best exchange rate by transferring AUD, not THB.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
@Howard ******
 he would have to declare it when he arrives
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Christer *****
@Bob *********
 And also when leaving Australia if over 10 000
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christer *****
Reply
Donald **********
@Howard ******
 Why would you want to risk losing/having stolen AUD $37,500+ with the additional issues with it being in excess of the allowable amount and then having to pay it into a Thai bank account, maybe even after going to the additional issues of converting it into Thai baht? It is the 21st century!
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Howard *******
Hi Donald. You were the one that said you can't carry cash, implying it was an option for you. Anyway, I guess it is how you carry it and your assessment of the risk. As to the allowable amount, there is no limit on how much you can take out of Australia but maybe there is a limit on how much you can take into Thailand? With conversion of AUD37,500 to THB there will be a very large difference between converting it at a currency converter in Thailand and the other ways you mentioned: it is even significant when I have carried AUD5,000. Finally, I understand it is the 21st Century but that does not mean you throw away a significant amount if not necessary.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Howard *******
Reply
Kevin *********
@Howard ******
 you are legally allowed to bring in usd20k (or equivalent) or 500k thb. Anything more you'll have to declare and perhaps be taxed?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Howard *******
That's a very generous amount without having to declare - most countries limit undeclared to about AUD10,000 but if you declare there is no penalty or tax. Given USD is about AUD31,000 it would give a better exchange rate to bring in AUD30,000 and the balance by SWIFT .
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Howard *******
Reply
Brian **********
Just for the record, Monday is the 13th.

Check your dates/days for travelling.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Nick *******
@Brian *********
 Also Monday 13th is a Thai Holiday. Banks will be closed except in shopping malls.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian *********
 Yes thanks Brian, only after l posted did l notice l posted incorrect dates.....
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Donald **********
Once you open a Thai bank account and get the details of it, you can transfer the money directly to it from your home bank by Swift/BACS international money transfer. Wise and Revolut (amongst others) also offer this service if you open accounts with them, if they operate in Australia? Check out who will give you the best deal, bearing in mind the exchange rate offered and the transaction fee. I recently transferred 800,000 baht with Revolut and was very happy with the price and service. Took about 1-½ banking days to clear in my K-Bank account. The money for the Non-O extension has to be in the Thai bank account for two months (not 8 weeks) ‘seasoning’ prior to applying at immigration for the 1 year extension.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Donald **********
The receiving bank will also charge a small receiving fee so you can try a couple of small transfers from a couple of different sources to cover this, prior to making the big transfer.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Greg ***********
@Donald *********
 this receiving fee for a foreign remittance normally is around 400 THB fixed fee. If you use WISE, the transfer is an inner-Thailand transfer and there will be no receiving fee
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Donald **********
@Greg **********
 OK thanks. Graham can factor that in too should he choose to go down that route. I myself transferred the money from a Thai baht account but from outwith Thailand.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Donald **********
Reply
Robert *****
If you want a non immigrant O type of visa then first you will need a Thai bank account in your name, and second the 800K needs to be on deposit for 3 months prior and 3 months post. 6 months total. Most people apply for the initial 90 day visa before they enter and then use that visa as a basis for opening an account. Once the account is open you can make the transfer and continue with the 1 year extension process.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jim *******
@Robert ****
 Where did "3 months post" come from? Never heard of that. Even 3 months prior is known as 2 months (not 3) prior to extension renewal.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Greg ***********
@Jim ******
 3-months prior was the old rule. It used to be 2 months prior only for the FIRST application to the extension, and from then on always 3 months prior. . . . . . This rule got discontinued by January 2019, in favour of 2 months prior, regardless if a first extension or a follow-up one
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Jim *******
@Greg **********
 Then, you are right. I left Thai 5. January 2020. and a few weeks later, the pandemic was declared. Took me 3.5 years to get back. I lost the track.

That time, 2020, I was still 4 years from retirement, did not really pay attention. Until now.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jim *******
Reply
Robert *****
@Jim ******
 ok 2 months
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert *****
Reply
Bob **********
@Robert ****
 it’s 2 months prior
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert *****
@Bob *********
 ok 2 months, whatever. Even 1 day is too long.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert *****
Reply
Greg ***********
@Robert ****
 you are WRONG (unless you quote these "special rules" which Jomtien Immigration has pulled out of their corrupt noses ) . . . According to the police order the rule is: Yes, you need an already existing Thai bank account to apply for the "change of visa type" from a touristic entry to a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, however the 800,000 THB just have to sit in it on the day you apply, there is NO seasoning requirement at this point. Only when you apply from the 90-days to the "1-year Extension of Temporary Stay Permit based on Retirement", the money needs to have seasoned for TWO MONTHS (not for 3 months!). After been issued the Extension, the 800,000 THB have to remain for 3 more months. In the rest of the year the deposit may not fall below 400,000 THB, and then again for the application to the next "1-year Extension", the money needs to be in the account for 2 months
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert *****
@Greg **********
 ok guy your the expert. Why would anybody who intends to stay long term waste time converting a 60 day visa exempt entry to a 90 day when they easily get the 90 day ahead of time and convert directly to a 1 year. And why would anybody commit that amount of money for any length of time to a non interest bearing foreign bank account when it's not necessary.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Greg ***********
@Robert ****
 agreed, you are right. I would always recommend to get the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa issued before flying to Thailand. Regarding the 800,000 THB deposit, there is no other way for the first year extension for citizens from UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Norway, because their embassies don't issue income affidavits anymore. If you are content to throw away 32,000 THB to an agent to bribe Immigration, feel free to do it. However I hope you are aware that it got more difficult since February 2025. Have you noticed all the frozen Bangkok Bank accounts that agents opened on people's tourist visas? While I don't think the corruption can be rooted out, I am witnessing a price hike for these "faked" extensions. Soon they will match up with the interest you claim to be able to acrue if you keep 800,000 THB in your home country
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert *****
@Greg **********
 only paid 14K and it was done in 2 days.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Greg ***********
@Robert ****
 😂 😎 not for the complete first time package! (bank account, 90-days Visa and 12-months extension). You pay 14,000 for the yearly repeated extension . . . . . If you have arrived on a tourist visa, there is only one agent in Bangkok who will circumvent the rules, they service you only if you buy the complete package, it costs 60,000 THB (and you need to have own funds, without own funds it is something like 75,000 THB)
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert *****
@Greg **********
 well yeah...you don't need an agent for all that prelim stuff, just to avoid the 800K and 90 day reports and standing in line with 20 copies of nonsense
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Greg ***********
@Robert ****
 😂😂😂😂😂 since 17 years, I manage to get my yearly Extension, a 90-days report and the purchase of a single re-entry permit, all & everything, done on my Immigration within 20-25 (twenty!!) minutes. I don't even need to fill out any forms, the Immigration officer does it in my place. Wonder over wonder! 😂😂😂😂😂
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert *****
@Greg **********
 except it cost you the use and earning power of 800K for 4-6 months of the year. Which is probably more than the agents fee if invested in a good annuity or mutual fund.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Kevin *********
@Robert ****
 too many conflicting accounts. Which is the right one?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert *****
@Kevin ********
 hire an agent and forget about all that conflicting nonsense. You'll have your visa back in 48 hours.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Sylvia ********
@Robert ****
 48 hrs i think not and at what cost?
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Kevin *********
@Robert ****
 hahaha your advice should replace this forum's title and there won't be a need for us to ask questions or respond to them 😂😂😂
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Kevin *********
Reply
Soren **********
Open a Wise account in Oz, then transfer on opening of the bank account
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Maitin *******
@Soren *********
 or swift
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Soren **********
SWIFT goes through New York, and is opaque during the transfer, with correspondent bank fees on top of exchange fees.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Maitin *******
@Soren *********
 I tend to get a slightly better rate with swift and it's very very fast. Sometimes wise can take days.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Maitin *******
Reply
Stuart *********
A money order or cheque isn’t going to help you. You need a Thai bank account with an 800k balance to get a retirement visa/extension. Depending on the office this may have to be seen as an international transfer.
2 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What are the best methods for transferring money to Thailand for a Non-O visa requirement?
27 comments
2 months ago
What is the best way for British expats over 50 to manage banking and visa requirements before moving to Thailand?
56 comments
3 months ago
What is the cheapest way to transfer 800,000 Baht from the UK to Thailand using a non O visa?
54 comments
4 months ago
What is the best way to transfer 800,000 baht from the UK for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
68 comments
4 months ago
What is the best way to transfer THB 800,000 to a Thai bank account for a retirement visa?
65 comments
4 months ago
What is the best way to deposit 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account for visa purposes?
67 comments
5 months ago
Can I bring 800,000 Baht in cash to open a Thai bank account?
57 comments
6 months ago
What are the most cost-effective methods to transfer funds to Thailand for retirement?
86 comments
a year ago
Is it better to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand or from the UK, and how should I manage my funds?
19 comments
a year ago
What are the best methods to transfer money to Thailand while avoiding high fees?
74 comments
a year ago
What are the best ways to transfer money from the US to Thailand and how can retirees open a bank account?
53 comments
2 years ago
How can I effectively transfer a large sum of money for my retirement visa in Thailand?
124 comments
2 years ago
What are the best options for transferring money to Thailand for a long-stay visa?
50 comments
2 years ago
What is the best way to transfer £20,000 to a Bangkok Bank account for retirement in Thailand?
40 comments
2 years ago
Can I transfer 800,000 baht into my Thai bank account in installments for my retirement visa?
21 comments
2 years ago
Can you take 800,000 THB out of Thailand on a retirement visa without issues?
23 comments
2 years ago
What are the best banks to use in Thailand for transferring funds to settle a NON-O retirement visa?
31 comments
3 years ago
Can I bring cash and exchange it in Thailand for the retirement visa bank requirement?
19 comments
3 years ago
Can I bring in cash and declare it for the 800k requirement when applying for a retirement Non-O visa in Thailand?
9 comments
4 years ago
How can I transfer 800K THB to apply for retirement in Thailand without hitting money transfer limits?
18 comments
4 years ago
How can I transfer 800K THB for my O-A visa and what are the cash limits when traveling to Thailand?
12 comments
4 years ago
What are the requirements for funds in a Thai bank account for retirement or marriage visas, and can I bring cash into Thailand?
4 comments
5 years ago
How Can I Transfer Funds for My Retirement Visa Application in Thailand?
11 comments
6 years ago
Can I deposit 800,000 THB now to meet my visa renewal requirements in Chiang Mai?
2 comments
7 years ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?
7 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?
9 comments
a month ago
What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?
21 comments
a month ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?
16 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?
8 comments
a month ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.