The service overview is categorised into three camps – the major/mainstream options that will suit most, the less common ones for edge cases and alternative methods for when you need cash. I will highlight stats and numbers for each service, but note that these change over time; they are accurate at the time of writing this.
Major options
Wise
Wise is one of the most popular and simplest ways to send money to Thailand from abroad. It offers mid-market exchange rates with transparent fees and typically delivers transfers to Thailand immediately or within a few minutes.
You can convert your balance to THB and pay like a local with their card, or make transfers directly to Thai bank accounts. Check their article for supported banks.
The service supports 160 countries and 40 currencies. Fees consist of a small percentage (usually 0.5–1.5%) plus a minimal fixed fee. The platform is accessible through both their website and mobile app.
For most people, Wise (or Revolut) will be the best choice, unless you want instant delivery or cash pickup, need to send money to countries or recipients without bank accounts, are attracted by promo codes or discounts, are in regions Wise doesn’t serve well, or prefer different payout options or local support.
If you don’t have an account yet, you can open one by clicking this link: https://www.wise.com
Revolut
Revolut, like Wise, is a digital banking platform that easily allows you to make international money transfers. It offers competitive exchange rates and quick transfers to Thailand that usually complete within minutes during business hours.
While mainly serving customers in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Singapore, Revolut now can send money globally. You can hold, exchange, and transfer Thai Baht (THB) along with 30+ other currencies in your account.
Transfers to Thailand go through local banking networks, which means quick delivery and lower fees than traditional banks. On weekdays, you get real-time exchange rates with a small markup (0.5-1% depending on your plan). Weekend transfers might have slightly higher rates.
Unlike Wise, Revolut has different account options – from a free standard plan with basic transfer features and monthly limits to premium and metal plans with higher transfer limits. These paid plans come with extra perks like priority support, overseas medical insurance, and airport lounge access.
If you don’t have an account yet, you can open one by clicking this link: https://www.revolut.com/
OFX
OFX is a well-established international money transfer service that particularly excels at handling larger transactions. With OFX you can transfer 50+ currencies to 170+ countries (more info here).
It’s currently available to residents of:
- North America: United States, Canada
- Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, other European countries
- Asia Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong
The service offers highly competitive rates for transfers exceeding 7,000 USD equivalent, with the rate improving as the transfer amount increases. For transfers above 7,000, OFX removes their transfer fee entirely, making them especially cost-effective for substantial money movements.
Their platform provides 24/7 customer support with dedicated dealers for high-value transfers, and they typically complete transfers within 1-3 business days.
They also offer additional features like forward contracts and limit orders for better rate management, along with a robust online platform and mobile app for tracking transfers.
Less common options
While Wise and Revolut are excellent general-purpose solutions, the other services mentioned above might be better choices in specific situations.
These alternatives might also offer better rates for specific currency pairs or have stronger presence in certain regions where the major services are less established.
XE
Best for those who want advanced currency tracking tools and market analysis to time their transfers optimally.
XE, primarily known for its currency conversion tools and exchange rate information (I use it for that), offers comprehensive money transfer services to Thailand. The service stands out for its real-time rate alerts, rate tracking, and market analysis tools that help users time their transfers optimally.
XE charges no transfer fees and offers competitive exchange rates with rate monitoring tools. They provide secure transfers directly to Thai banks with 24/7 customer support. The service is accessible through their mobile app on both iOS and Android platforms. Most transfers are completed within 1-2 business days.
However, the service isn’t available everywhere—only residents in the following countries can use it:
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
- North America: Canada, United States
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Xoom
Ideal for PayPal those who want to leverage their existing PayPal balance, or those needing cash pickup options in Thailand.
Xoom, a PayPal service, provides convenient international transfers to Thailand with several payout options.
The service specialises in fast delivery, with transfers typically completing within minutes during business hours, though some may take up to one business day.
You can send money directly to Thai bank accounts or arrange for cash pickup at numerous locations throughout Thailand. Xoom’s close integration with PayPal means you can easily fund transfers from your PayPal balance or linked bank accounts.
The service offers competitive exchange rates and straightforward fee structures, though these vary based on the sending country, payment method, and delivery option chosen.
Their mobile app and website interface make it simple to track transfers and manage recipient information.
Despite being a PayPal service, Xoom is not available everywhere that PayPal is. While PayPal operates in over 200 countries and regions, Xoom’s availability is more limited. Currently, Xoom allows users to send money from the following regions:
- North America: Canada, United States (including American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with some restrictions)
- Europe: Most countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and others, United Kingdom
Transfer limits depend on your country and verification level. For instance, in the US, basic verified accounts can transfer up to 10,000 USD per transaction, while fully verified accounts can send up to 50,000 USD per transfer.
Recipients in Thailand must have an account with one of the supported local banks for direct transfers.
WorldRemit
Particularly useful for those in regions where Wise/Revolut have limited presence, especially in parts of Asia and Africa.
WorldRemit, a lesser-known service, specialises in secure international transfers to Thailand, offering a comprehensive service with multiple payment methods including debit cards, credit cards and bank transfers.
Their platform provides real-time tracking and notifications, with transfers typically arriving within 24 hours. The service features highly competitive exchange rates and maintains a transparent fee structure that varies based on the sending country and payment method.
The platform particularly excels in its localised service, with a strong presence in Thailand through partnerships with major banks and an extensive network of cash pickup locations.
The service is accessible exclusively through their mobile application, with 24/7 customer support available in multiple languages.
WorldRemit also regularly offers promotional rates for new customers, though their standard rates remain consistently competitive.
WorldRemit supports money transfers from various countries across different regions:
- Asia: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
- Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
- Middle East: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
- Africa: South Africa, Rwanda
Instarem
Often preferred by Asia-Pacific residents due to better regional rates and loyalty points programme.
Instarem is particularly popular in Asia-Pacific regions, offering competitive rates for transfers to Thailand. The service is well-suited for residents of Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the UK, EU countries and the United States.
The service is particularly beneficial for expats, foreign workers, freelancers, small business owners and international students. However, it may not be the best choice in countries where Instarem lacks support for local payment methods or where strict currency controls are in place.
While Instarem offers an excellent loyalty points programme and transparent fee structure with processing times of 1-2 business days, it’s worth noting that for transfers exceeding 100,000 USD, traditional banks may provide better service and compliance support. The service is also limited to countries within Instarem’s established network.
The service is available to residents in:
- Asia: Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore
- Oceania: Australia
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
- North America: Canada, United States of America
Remitly
Good choice for those who need flexible delivery speeds (Express vs Economy) and appreciate first-time user promotions.
Remitly provides international money transfer services to Thailand with two distinct transfer options.
Their Express service delivers funds within minutes, though it comes with slightly higher fees, while their Economy service offers more favourable exchange rates but takes 3-5 business days to process.
The service is particularly useful for regular transfers, as they frequently offer promotional rates and reduced fees for first-time users.
Remitly maintains partnerships with major Thai banks to ensure smooth, secure transfers and provides 24/7 customer support in multiple languages. They also offer a satisfaction guarantee and real-time transfer tracking through their mobile app.
Remit Panda
Specialised for Asian currency transfers, particularly beneficial for those in East Asian countries sending money to Thailand.
Remit Panda is a specialised money transfer service focused on Asian markets, particularly excelling in transfers to Thailand. The platform offers a robust combination of competitive rates, local expertise, and reliable customer support.
Key features include strong expertise in Asian currency transfers with highly competitive rates for Thai baht, particularly for larger amounts. The service is backed by a local support team in Thailand offering multilingual assistance. Most transfers are processed the same day during business hours through their user-friendly mobile app and web platform.
The service is available in:
- Asia: Mainland of China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam – offering particularly advantageous rates for these corridors
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
- Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, Luxembourg, Ireland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Austria, Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Norway, Romania
- Americas: Canada, United States, Brazil
Alternative options
Bank transfer
Traditional bank-to-bank transfers through the SWIFT network remain a common method for international money transfers. These transfers typically come with higher fees, as both the sending and receiving banks charge for their services. Additionally, SWIFT network fees of ~25–70 USD per transaction often apply.
The processing time for bank transfers usually ranges from 2-5 business days. Most major Thai banks, including Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, and Siam Commercial Bank, readily accept international transfers. To complete a transfer, you’ll need to provide the recipient’s full name, bank account number, SWIFT/BIC code, and bank branch information.
While bank transfers offer reliability and security, they generally provide less competitive exchange rates compared to specialised money transfer services. Thai banks may also charge an incoming transfer fee of 500-1,000 THB. Despite these drawbacks, bank transfers remain the preferred option for large transfers exceeding 10,000 USD, particularly when security and proper documentation are priorities.
Western Union & MoneyGram
If you don’t have a bank account or need cash quickly, Western Union and MoneyGram can be ideal options for you. You’ll find pickup locations throughout Thailand, including banks, convenience stores, and dedicated agent locations. Most major cities and towns have multiple pickup points open for extended hours.
While these services charge higher fees, they offer near-instant transfers that typically complete within minutes. You’ll need to provide government-issued ID to send money, and your recipient must present ID and a tracking number to collect the funds. Maximum transfer limits vary by country but typically range from 2,000-7,500 USD per transaction (depending on whether you have a verified or unverified account).
Consider using these services when you need emergency transfers, when your recipient doesn’t have a bank account, or when you’re travelling and need quick cash.
Bringing cash into Thailand
You can bring foreign currency into Thailand, but you must declare amounts exceeding 50,000 USD (or equivalent) upon arrival to comply with Bank of Thailand’s anti-money laundering and foreign exchange regulations.
As a traveller, you likely won’t need to carry large amounts of cash. If you do bring physical currency, you’ll find that major currencies like USD, EUR, or SGD are widely accepted for exchange. Here are the best places for you to exchange currency:
- Thai banks will provide you with reasonable rates and you can find them in airports, malls, and city branches, though airport locations typically offer less favourable rates.
- Licensed money changers like Superrich Thailand (my recommendation) often give you better exchange rates than banks, particularly in central Bangkok and tourist areas. While hotel desks and airport kiosks offer you convenience, they typically have the least competitive rates.
Don’t forget to bring your passport for identity verification when exchanging money. When using your cards for withdrawals or payments, always choose to be charged in Thai baht rather than your home currency to avoid unfavourable Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) rates.
Conclusion and recommendations
When sending money to Thailand, Wise is a great choice for transfers up to 7,000 USD. They offer good rates (0.4-1.5%), reliable service, and are easy to use. If you already have Revolut, you can also use their service which offers free transfers within your plan limits.
For larger transfers over 7,000 USD, consider using OFX. They don’t charge transfer fees and have competitive rates (0.4-1.5%). However, since rates can vary a lot for big transfers, it’s worth checking prices from different services.
If you’re sending money from Asia or other regions outside North America and Europe, check out WorldRemit or Instarem. They work well in these areas and have good rates. Just make sure they support transfers in your country and currency before you start.
