How to send money to Thailand in 2026: baht or dollars in 1-3 business days
In 2026 money goes to Thailand by bank transfer to an account or card at a Thai bank, and in 1-3 business days it arrives in baht, or in foreign currency on a foreign currency account. From $10,000 the bank asks for the source of the money, and from $50,000 it fills in a foreign exchange transaction form.
In short
- A bank transfer to your own account takes 1-3 business days, in baht or foreign currency.
- In Thailand money is credited in baht or to a foreign currency account, so other currencies are exchanged when sending.
- A resident pays tax on foreign income earned from 2024 when bringing it into Thailand.
- A condo is paid for in foreign currency from abroad with the bank's confirmation.
In detail
What to choose for your case, data for 2026:
| Case | How to send | What to show the bank |
|---|---|---|
| Money to live on, to your own account | a bank transfer in baht or dollars | a passport with a long-term visa when opening the account; purpose: transfer of own funds |
| Helping a relative or friend | a transfer to their Thai account or card; without an account, a money transfer service | the name as the bank holds it, the account number and the bank's international code; without an account, the recipient's passport |
| Buying a condo | foreign currency from abroad in one payment with the contract as the purpose | the developer contract; the bank will issue a foreign exchange transaction confirmation for registration |
| A deposit for a retirement visa | a transfer to your own Thai account | $24,000 (800,000 baht) on the account or income from $2,000 (65,000 baht) a month |
| Savings earned before 2024 | a transfer to your own account before your year of tax residence | a statement showing the money was earned before 2024 |
The most reliable way to send money to Thailand in 2026 is a bank transfer to your own account at a Thai bank, in baht or foreign currency, in 1-3 business days. A foreigner opens an account with a long-term visa during a branch visit, the bank processes an incoming payment above $50,000 with a foreign exchange transaction form, and a tax resident pays tax on foreign income earned from 2024 when bringing it into the country.
| Method | In 2026 | Received in | Amount limit | Timing | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer to your own account | works | baht, or foreign currency on a foreign currency account | not limited by law; from $50,000, a foreign exchange transaction form | 1-3 business days | the account number, the bank's international code and the name as the bank holds it |
| Transfer to a private individual's account in Thailand | works | baht | not limited by law | 1-3 business days | the recipient's account details |
| Transfer to a Thai bank card | works | baht | card limits | same as a bank transfer | the card number |
| Money transfer service without an account | partly, depending on the sending country | baht | set by the service | from minutes to a day | the recipient's passport |
| Transfer to buy a condo | works | foreign currency from abroad | the deal amount | before registration at the Land Department | a foreign exchange transaction confirmation from the bank |
Rows checked on 8 October 2026. Dollar amounts are converted at the 7 October rate, 33.7 baht per dollar, rounded up.
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A transfer to a Thai account: which visa you need
A Thai bank opens an account for a foreigner on a long-term visa - retirement, spouse, student, business with a work permit, or long-term resident - during an in-person branch visit.
Checked on 8 October 2026.
| Your status | Chances | What else the bank will ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Business visa with a work permit | high | an employer letter, an address |
| Retirement, spouse or student visa | high | a certificate of residence, a lease |
| Long-term resident visa | high | a certificate of residence |
| Tourist visa or visa-free entry | low | first get a long-term visa |
With the full set - a passport with a visa, a certificate of residence from the immigration bureau or an embassy, a Thai phone number and a document on the origin of the money - the account, card and online banking are issued on the day of the visit. A foreign currency account is opened separately, with proof of the source of the money. If your visa is still a tourist one, a specialist will tell you which visa to start with.
Tax on income brought in from 2024: what to consider before sending
The transfer to Thailand itself is not taxed, but a tax resident - someone who has spent 180 days or more in the country in a year - pays tax on foreign income earned from 1 January 2024 in the year they bring it into Thailand.
| What is brought in or received | Tax in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Savings earned before 2024 | not taxed |
| A resident's foreign income earned from 2024 | on a 0-35% scale in the year it is brought in |
| Interest on a deposit at a Thai bank | 15%, withheld by the bank |
So before moving, money earned before 2024 is kept separate from later earnings, and a large transfer is planned before your year of residence. Residence rules are in Thailand tax residency, and the rates are on the taxes in Thailand page.
A transfer for a condo in Thailand: foreign currency from abroad and the bank's confirmation
A foreigner registers a condominium unit as their property when the building has a free foreign quota of up to 49% of the floor area, and pays for it by a transfer from abroad in foreign currency.
- The bank's confirmation. The Thai bank issues a foreign exchange transaction document, and the Land Department registers the purchase on that basis; keep it for a future sale as well.
- Villas are taken through a land lease of up to 30 years.
- A visa does not come with buying a condo; a long-term visa under the Privilege programme is issued for a fee from $20,000 (650,000 baht), and other grounds are on the Thai residence permit page.
Example: a 30 m² studio in a new building in Bangkok costs $110,000 on average. The money is sent from abroad in dollars in one payment with the contract as the purpose, and the bank issues a foreign exchange transaction confirmation. First check the free quota and the developer - in detail in buying a condo in Thailand and on the property in Thailand page.
The foreign exchange transaction form and sending money back out
Foreign exchange operations in Thailand are regulated by the Bank of Thailand: a transfer from abroad is kept on a foreign currency account or exchanged into baht, and the bank processes an incoming payment above $50,000 with a foreign exchange transaction form stating the purpose of the transfer.
Keep this form: it is what lets you legally send the money back abroad by bank transfer with documents on its origin. Deposits are protected by the Deposit Protection Agency up to $30,000 (1 million baht) per depositor at one bank, so money is sent to Thailand for a specific purpose: a condo, a visa deposit, living costs.
How much to send at once and what a Thai bank will ask
Thai law does not limit the amount of an incoming transfer, and the bank's questions depend on the amount and purpose.
Checked on 8 October 2026.
| Amount | What the bank will ask | Document |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $10,000 | the payment purpose | the purpose and the sender's name |
| $10,000-$50,000 | the source of the money and the purpose in Thailand | an income certificate, a statement, a lease |
| From $50,000 | the purpose for the foreign exchange transaction form and the origin of the sum | a purchase contract, documents on the sale of property or an inheritance |
For a retirement visa, keep $24,000 (800,000 baht) on a Thai account or prove income from $2,000 (65,000 baht) a month. We will help you send a large sum for a condo or a move with the right documents; general rules are in sending a large sum abroad, and all legal routes for moving capital on the capital relocation page.
A transfer to a private individual in Thailand
Money for a private individual in Thailand goes to their account at a Thai bank by account number, the bank's international code and the name exactly as the bank holds it, and within the country money moves instantly by phone number.
A recipient without an account can use a money transfer service: the money is paid out against a passport or credited to a card. State the payment purpose plainly - help for a relative, rent, tuition fees.
Sending money to neighbouring countries
- Myanmar - at the market rate through a bank
- India - a transfer with a payment purpose code
- Laos - the kip and the bank's reference rate
- Cambodia - US dollars to an account
- Vietnam - dong and family
- Indonesia - payments in rupiah and homes in Bali
All legal routes for moving capital are on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
Can I send money to Thailand through my bank's app from an account in another currency?
Can I send money to a private individual in Thailand without an account?
Can I open an account in Thailand on a tourist visa?
Is a transfer of savings to Thailand taxed?
From what amount does a Thai bank fill in a foreign exchange transaction form?
Do I need to send money for a condo in Thailand in foreign currency?
How much money do I need on an account for a Thai retirement visa?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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