The exchange-rate markup costs you more than the fee. Banks often advertise "low fee" while baking a 2–4% margin into the rate. Always compare the total baht the recipient actually receives — that's the only number that matters.
How an international transfer really works
You send your home currency; it's converted to Thai baht and paid into a Thai account. Three things determine your real cost: the exchange rate you get (versus the true mid-market rate), the transfer fee, and any receiving / correspondent-bank fees. Bank wires travel over the SWIFT network and can pass through intermediary banks that each take a cut; specialist providers often use local rails and pass on the mid-market rate, which is why they're usually cheaper and faster.
Why the rate matters more than the fee
Sending the equivalent of ฿1,000,000: a "free" bank wire with a 3% rate markup quietly costs about ฿30,000. A specialist charging the mid-market rate plus a small flat fee might cost ฿1,000–฿2,000. The bigger the transfer (a condo purchase, a retirement nest-egg), the more the spread dominates — so for large sums, the rate is everything.
Today's live exchange rate
Check the current mid-market Baht rate before comparing provider quotes below — this updates automatically, it's never a stale number.
Up-to-the-day mid-market rates — convert rents, prices and deposits between Baht and your home currency.
Mid-market reference rates; your bank or transfer service may differ.
Try it: what would you actually receive?
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The options, compared on facts
| Provider | Exchange rate | Fees | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Mid-market | Low, fixed % | Mins–1 day | Most transfers; transparent rate |
| OFX | Small markup | Often $0 | 1–2 days | Larger transfers; phone dealing |
| Xe Money Transfer | Small markup | Often $0 | 1–2 days | Large transfers, many currencies |
| Remitly | Markup varies | Low–moderate | Mins–days | Smaller recurring remittances |
| Revolut | Mid-market (limits) | Free tier + fees over cap | Mins–1 day | App users within plan limits |
| Western Union / MoneyGram | Higher markup | Varies | Mins–days | Cash pickup, urgent |
| PayPal | High markup | High | Mins | Convenience only; not cost |
| Traditional bank wire | High markup | Wire + correspondent + receiving | 1–5 days | When the bank requires it (e.g. FET trail) |
General comparison on measurable criteria — not a paid ranking. Rates, fees and availability change and vary by corridor and amount; always check the live quote (total THB received) before sending. Detailed per-provider pages with live figures are in build.
Buying property — the FET rule
To register foreign freehold condo ownership, the Land Office needs proof your funds came from abroad in foreign currency — the Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) form your Thai bank issues on conversion. So: remit the purchase amount in foreign currency (not pre-converted), have it land in a Thai bank, request the FET/credit advice, and keep every document. Plan the transfer well before your transfer date, and never wire a deposit to an unverified account. Our step-by-step buying guide covers the rest of the purchase process, and our Thai bank comparison can help you choose where to open the receiving account.
Paying rent & deposits safely
For a deposit from overseas, an international transfer with a clear proof of payment is cleanest. Once you have a Thai bank account, pay monthly rent by PromptPay or bank transfer and keep every receipt for your records and deposit refund. Red flags: a "landlord" who only takes payment to a personal account before you've verified the listing, pressure to pay fast, or a deposit request for a property you haven't seen or confirmed. Our renting guide covers deposit norms and how to get yours back.
Frequently asked
Plan your move
Run the numbers, then find a home and an area that fit.
Educational information only — not financial, tax or legal advice. We compare providers on facts, never paid placement. Confirm live rates, fees and rules with each provider, your bank, and a qualified adviser before moving large sums.
Sources
- Bank of Thailand ↗Bank of Thailand · Accessed 19 August 2026
Official primary sources are listed above with the date we last checked them. Thai rules, fees, thresholds and procedures change and can be applied differently by individual offices and embassies — confirm the current requirement with the responsible authority before relying on it. General information only, not legal, tax or medical advice. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.