Send Money to Thailand: Fees, Exchange Rates & Transfer Methods
The best way to send money to Thailand depends on the total THB received, not the advertised transfer fee alone. Compare the provider fee, exchange-rate margin, possible intermediary/receiving-bank deductions, delivery estimate, transfer limit, payment method and whether the receiving bank must document the purpose or foreign-currency origin. For a property purchase, business investment or other regulated purpose, confirm the route and evidence with the receiving Thai bank before sending.
At a glance
Audience: people sending personal, family, business or property-related funds into Thailand from overseas.
Scope: incoming international transfers. Domestic Thai payments belong in Paying in Thailand; cash withdrawals belong in the Thailand ATM guide.
| Method | Compare before sending | Common fit | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank/SWIFT transfer | Sending, intermediary and receiving fees; bank FX rate; fee instruction; document availability | Larger or documented payments | Final deductions and timing can depend on correspondent banks and compliance review |
| Authorized money-transfer service | Quoted fee, guaranteed or indicative rate, THB received, funding method, recipient route and limit | Personal transfers where the corridor is supported | Availability, limits and recipient requirements vary by origin country and provider |
| Cash pickup | Total cost, pickup location, identification and collection window | Recipient without a usable bank account | Often less suitable for large or evidence-sensitive payments |
Table reviewed 6 August 2026. Scope: transfers into Thailand. Sources: Bank of Thailand and linked provider terms. Obtain a live quote for the actual corridor and amount.
Compare total cost correctly
Capture each quote at the same time and for the same amount and funding method. Leave a field
unknownwhen the provider does not disclose it; do not turn an unknown deduction into zero.
| Comparison field | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount and source currency sent | User entry | User entry | User entry |
| Provider or funding fee | User entry | User entry | User entry |
| Quoted exchange rate and timestamp | User entry | User entry | User entry |
| Correspondent or intermediary deduction disclosed | User entry / unknown | User entry / unknown | User entry / unknown |
| Recipient-side fee disclosed | User entry / unknown | User entry / unknown | User entry / unknown |
| Amount expected in THB | User entry | User entry | User entry |
| Delivery estimate — not a guarantee | User entry | User entry | User entry |
| Cancellation, trace or return process | Link / note | Link / note | Link / note |
| Evidence or purpose wording requested | Link / note | Link / note | Link / note |
Total cost = sending amount converted at a neutral comparison rate − THB actually received, with separately disclosed fees included. A “zero fee” transfer can still cost more through its exchange rate. This guide does not publish a static provider ranking because quotes change by corridor, amount, payment method and time.
The worksheet must not prefill fees, rates, limits, timings or rankings. It is an arithmetic and record-keeping aid, not a quote or recommendation. Confirm final terms before authorizing a transfer. When property, investment, tax or other regulated evidence matters, ask the receiving bank and the appropriate independent qualified professional before sending.
Recipient details and prerequisites
For a Thai bank deposit, expect to confirm:
- account holder name exactly as recorded by the bank;
- Thai bank name and account number;
- SWIFT/BIC and branch details when the sending route requests them;
- recipient address or contact information where required;
- transfer purpose; and
- supporting evidence requested by either provider or bank.
Requirements differ for an individual, company, property seller or other recipient. Verify the details through a trusted channel; do not rely solely on payment instructions sent in an unexpected email.
Process
- Define the purpose and evidence need. Decide whether the transfer is routine living money or must support a property, investment, tax, visa or business record.
- Ask the receiving bank first when evidence matters. Confirm currency, account, wording/purpose and which receipt, credit advice or foreign-exchange document it can issue.
- Compare live quotes. Use the same amount and funding method. Confirm the service is available from the sending country.
- Complete identity and source-of-funds checks. A provider or bank may request more information; thresholds and checks are not safely reducible to one universal amount.
- Send a small test when appropriate. Confirm recipient details before a material payment, while recognizing that a later larger transfer can receive additional review.
- Keep the records. Save the quote, receipt, reference, bank credit advice, purpose evidence and correspondence.
Origin-market considerations
- United States: compare bank-wire and licensed money-transmitter routes; the sender should separately check US tax or reporting obligations.
- UK and EEA: local bank funding may differ from card funding in price and delivery estimate; provider access is country-specific.
- Switzerland: compare the sending bank's international transfer and FX terms with services actually offered to Swiss residents.
- Australia and other markets: check local funding rails, transfer limits and the provider's current Thailand corridor.
These are comparison prompts, not claims that a named provider serves every resident or transfer type.
Wise and Western Union are first-party commercial examples, not official sources, recommendations or proof of availability in every origin market. Check the provider's authorization in the sender's country and, where activity is regulated in Thailand, the relevant Bank of Thailand authorization. Thailand Expat Services has not stated a compensated relationship with either example on this page. If a referral, commission or affiliate relationship applies to a future introduction or link, it will be disclosed before the introduction or contact transfer.
Property, investment and other documented transfers
Thailand's foreign-exchange controls are administered through the Bank of Thailand and authorized institutions. The receiving bank determines the evidence it can produce from the transaction and may request the agreement, purpose and source of funds. Do not rely on the former page's universal USD 50,000 “FET certificate” rule or assume that only one transfer rail can support a property transaction. Requirements depend on the transaction, currency, bank records and Land Office or professional review.
Before transferring purchase funds, ask the receiving bank and an independent qualified Thai property professional exactly what evidence must appear in the buyer's name. See buying property and condominium ownership.
Timing and failure points
Provider delivery times are estimates, not guarantees. Weekends, holidays, funding clearance, incorrect recipient details, intermediary routing, document requests and compliance review can extend them. Common preventable failures include:
- comparing only the visible fee;
- sending in the wrong currency for the intended evidence;
- using a recipient name that does not match the bank account;
- choosing an inaccurate purpose to avoid questions;
- sending before confirming property or investment documentation; and
- treating an indicative delivery time as a deadline commitment.
Costs
BOT's same-day Bulk Payment cap and the electronic BAHTNET provision are domestic-system rules with their own scope and effective dates. They do not establish the price, FX rate, deductions or delivery time for an incoming international remittance.
Government or regulatory review does not create a single standard “government transfer fee.” Charges normally come from the sending provider or bank, currency conversion, intermediaries, and the receiving bank. Professional fees for legal, accounting or property advice are separate and should be agreed in writing. Use live provider disclosures rather than the January 2025 examples previously shown on this page.
Related guides and next action
Read opening a Thai bank account, banking fees, everyday payments and banking risk and compliance.
Banking products, eligibility, documents, fees, limits, exchange rates and processing depend on the identified institution, channel, customer profile and transaction. Confirm current terms directly with the provider before acting. Thailand Expat Services provides general information and enquiry/referral coordination only; it does not open accounts, execute transfers, choose financial products, provide regulated financial advice or certify AML/KYC, tax, property or legal compliance. Any fee, commission, affiliate payment or other commercial relationship will be disclosed before you accept an introduction or we transfer contact details. Do not send passport scans, bank records, passwords, PINs, authentication codes or payment-card details through a general enquiry form.
Ask for banking information or enquiry coordination.
Official and first-party sources
- Bank of Thailand authorized money-transfer agents
- Bank of Thailand exchange-control regulation summary
- Bank of Thailand financial-institution and non-bank register
- Bangkok Bank transfers into Thailand
- Wise guide to THB transfers
- Western Union Thailand send-money service
Authorization is recorded status or category on the check date, not an endorsement of price, performance or suitability.
Last fact-checked: 6 August 2026; Bank of Thailand authorized-agent, exchange-control and institution-register routes rechecked 25 August 2026. Professional review: Not performed; no qualified Thai banking, financial-compliance, tax, property or legal approval. General information only.