Sending Money from Thailand: Transfer Methods, Fees, and Speeds

There may come a time when you need to send money from Thailand to another country.

Maybe your family needs some extra cash. Or perhaps you sold your condo or business in Thailand and want to take the money back home.

Some expats will tell you that it’s impossible to get your money out of the country once it’s here. Contrary to what they say, you can indeed transfer money out of Thailand.   

By the end of this guide, you’ll find out which services are available to you, how much they charge in fees, the type of exchange rates they offer, and how long the transfer takes.

Disclaimer: Some links in this article go to our partners, and we may earn a commission if you use them. It costs you nothing extra, and we only recommend services we'd use ourselves. Read more in our Advertising Disclosure.

Get your FREE Thailand Cheat Sheet by entering your email below. The Sheet, based on our experience with living and working in Thailand for 10+ years, shows you how to save time and money and gives you the tools the thrive in Thailand.

Key Takeaways

  • DeeMoney is usually the cheapest method to send money from Thailand to another country for amounts under US$10,000.
  • For transfers over US$10,000, using a bank could be cheaper.
  • Money transfers out of Thailand usually take anywhere from a few minutes to a few business days.
  • The limit depends on the purpose of the transfer. Payments you owe go up to the amount owed, money to relatives living abroad permanently has no limit, and gifts are capped per person per year.
  • If you want to find out the cheapest and fastest way to send money from Thailand, check out our Thailand Starter Kit Premium exclusive guide Recommended Method to Send Money from Thailand. When you join, you get hundreds of exclusive guides on how to save money and live hassle free in Thailand.

Why Send Money from Thailand?

When you talk to most expats, a cause of financial concern is how to quickly and safely get money into Thailand for relatively cheap.

But on the flip side, there may come a time when you need to transfer money from Thailand to another country. These reasons could include:

  • sending money to a loved one who is studying or living abroad
  • repatriating to your home country
  • moving to a new country
  • selling property or a business 

Let’s look at some of the more popular ways to transfer money from a bank account in Thailand to a bank account in another country.

Check out this guide if you need to send money to Thailand.

Send Money from Thailand Using DeeMoney

DeeMoney is a Thai-owned money transfer service provider used by locals and expats alike. You can use the service to transfer money out of Thailand or pay for international purchases.

deemoney logo

Its fees are very low at only THB125, no matter how much money you transfer.

To get started, you need to verify your identity with a government-issued ID. You can use your passport, visa photo, or Thai work permit photo, although you don’t need a Thai work permit to open an account. 

You also need to take a selfie using your phone. A Thai bank account makes funding easy, but DeeMoney also lets you walk into a branch with cash.

It takes about one to three business days before your registration is processed. But once it has been completed, you can send money from Thailand in as little as one business day. 

We recommend DeeMoney for transfers under US$20,000 (DeeMoney’s limit). At the moment, it has solid service reviews and shows the comparative rates and fees, so it’s very transparent about its process.

Send an International Bank Transfer from Thailand

You can send money using an international bank transfer with a bank in Thailand starting at THB300. The fees, however, could go up to THB1,400, depending on how much you send.

Kasikorn Bank, K-Bank
You may need to visit a bank in person to set up your first international money transfer.

You have to register with the bank if it’s your first time. Make sure you have all the relevant information about the individual you’re transferring to and the bank account, including:

  • recipient’s name
  • recipient’s bank name and address
  • recipient’s bank account number
  • bank’s SWIFT code (U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and China)
  • bank’s IBAN (European Union)

Once you register with the bank, you can make international transfers through the bank’s app or website, but you may have to show proof of address. This process could take up to three business days, so that’s something to consider. 

Keep in mind that you’re limited to how much you can transfer out of Thailand without submitting special documents. A purchase of foreign currency worth US$200,000 or more requires supporting documents showing where the baht came from. 

For tuition payments, you need a letter from the college or university listing the tuition fees, plus an invoice from the school.

Advertisement

If you’re sending money from income earned in Thailand, keep proof of income from your Thai employer ready. Since 1 December 2025, banks must ask for documents showing the source of funds when you buy US$200,000 or more in foreign currency, and some banks ask for paperwork on smaller amounts.

In the table below, you’ll find a list of popular Thai banks and how much they charge to send money abroad.

Thai Bank Fixed FeeExchange Rate FeePercentage FeeTransfer Speed
Bangkok BankTHB3002.3%+0.25%1 to 2 Days
Kasikorn BankTHB2502.3%+None1 to 3 Days
Siam Commercial BankTHB2001.4%+0.25%1 to 3 Days

Keep in mind that when you transfer money from a bank in Thailand to a bank overseas, you will have to pay a fee. But you can set who pays the fee, the sender or receiver.

Also, the receiving bank will always charge a fee as well. This could range from US$5 to US$15 or more.

Read more: How to Avoid Fees When Making International Money Transfers

Send Money from Thailand Using Western Union

Western Union offers fast delivery and is available at many locations around Thailand.

Western Union

Its fees may not seem high at first, but Western Union doesn’t have very high exchange rates and may charge hidden fees. We would only recommend using them if you have to send money urgently. 

Western Union does have an app, but after installing it and registering your account, you need to visit an agent location to have them verify your photo ID in person. You also need a Thai bank account. 

Most banks in Thailand offer Western Union services. In addition, all Central Shopping Mall locations (Central Rama 9 Mall, for example) have Western Union offices at their customer service desks.

You can visit the Western Union website to find your nearest agent location. One good thing about Western Union is that the sender and receiver don’t need bank accounts to make a transfer. You can use cash.

Bank of Thailand Rules for Sending Money Out of Thailand

Yes, you can send money out of Thailand as a foreigner. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) sets the rules, and your bank or transfer provider applies them. Which rule you get depends on why you’re sending the money. (Verified October 2026.)

You declare the purpose every time you send. Tuition, a purchase or a payment you owe gets different treatment from a gift to a relative.

Purpose of transferBOT rule
Payment for goods, services or educationAllowed up to the amount you owe
Money to a family member or relative who lives abroad permanentlyNo amount limit
Gift or grant to another person abroadUp to US$200,000 per person per year
Buying property abroad, including for a family memberAllowed
Buying US$200,000 or more of foreign currencyBank asks for documents showing the source of the baht
BOT rules for sending money out of Thailand, by purpose (verified October 2026)

Buying US$200,000 or more of foreign currency is where the bank asks for documents showing where the baht came from. Below that, the bank takes your declared purpose and doesn’t ask for paperwork. (Verified October 2026.)

The gift and grant cap changed on 1 December 2025. The BOT notice in force since then allows grants of up to US$200,000 per person per year. The BOT summary page still shows the older US$50,000 figure. Your bank applies its own reading, so ask which figure it uses before you send a large gift. (Verified October 2026.)

Should I use a Bank to Transfer Money from Thailand to Another Country?

If you don’t need to send money urgently and you have a Thai bank account, a bank transfer could be the best option. Under US$200,000 the bank mostly relies on the purpose you declare, and above that it asks for documents showing where the money came from.  

Sending Sale Proceeds or Savings Abroad When You Leave Thailand

Yes, you can move your own money out of Thailand. The bank mainly cares where the baht came from. A big transfer after selling a condo, a car or a business goes smoothly when you can show the sale paperwork.

Gather these before you go to the bank:

  • Proof of the sale: bring the sale contract and the land office or buyer receipt.
  • Proof of income: bring payslips, a work permit or tax documents if the money is savings from work in Thailand.
  • Your passport and the recipient’s bank details: these are the same details listed earlier in this guide.

Tax on the sale or on your income is separate from the transfer itself. Our guides to property tax in Thailand and tax on foreign-earned income cover what you may owe before the money leaves.

How Long Does it Take to Send Money from Thailand?

This depends on which money transfer service provider you use. Western Union could transfer your money in a matter of minutes. However, you’ll pay higher fees and get less on the receiving end. If you have a DeeMoney account, you can send money in one business day. For bank transfers, expect to wait at least three business days.

What About Wise for Sending Money Out of Thailand?

Wise is moving its Thai customers to a Thailand entity regulated by the Bank of Thailand. Its Help Centre says sending baht abroad from a Thai bank account is rolling out to existing personal customers between March and October 2026. Check inside your own Wise account before you rely on it, because the rollout depends on when you registered. (Verified October 2026.)

Until the feature shows up in your account, stick with a bank, DeeMoney or Western Union from the options above. Our guides explain what is changing at Wise in Thailand and how it compares in our Wise review.

Cheapest Way to Send Money from Thailand

Considering the options listed above, here is an overview of the cheapest and most expensive ways to send money from Thailand to another country.

MethodFixed FeeExchange Rate FeePercentage FeeDelivery Speed
DeeMoneyTHB125NoneNone1 Business Day
Bank TransferTHB300+VariesVaries 3+ Business Days
Western UnionUS$3+5%0.1%Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner send money out of Thailand?

Yes. You can send money out through a bank or a licensed transfer provider. You declare the purpose of the transfer each time.

Is there a limit on how much I can send abroad?

It depends on the purpose. Payments you owe, such as tuition, go up to the amount owed. Money to relatives who live abroad permanently has no limit. Gifts to other people are capped per person per year. (Verified October 2026.)

When does a bank ask for documents?

For purchases of foreign currency worth US$200,000 or more, the bank asks for documents showing where the baht came from. Below that, banks mostly rely on your declared purpose, though each bank can ask for more. (Verified October 2026.)

Can I send money without a Thai bank account?

Yes, if you pay with cash at a branch of a licensed provider. DeeMoney says you can walk into any branch with cash, with no app or bank account required, at the same rates and fees as online. Western Union also takes cash in store. (Verified October 2026.)

Is DeeMoney safe to use?

DeeMoney shows a Bank of Thailand licence number on its homepage (MT125590013). You can check the licence on the BOT website to confirm it yourself.

Now, on to You

In summary, if you have to send a few hundred or thousand dollars from Thailand to another country, you should use DeeMoney. For larger transfers in the tens of thousands of dollars, a bank transfer would be cheaper.

Sources Cited

Advertisement

Move to Thailand Without the Rookie Mistakes

Get our free Thailand Cheat Sheet: straight-talking recommendations for the essentials of settling in, sent to your inbox.

  • ✓Which visa to get (and why to skip visa runs)
  • ✓The health insurance and hospitals to actually use
  • ✓Banking, money transfers, and the best exchange rates
  • ✓Finding a place to rent without overpaying
  • ✓Plus language, work, and where to shop

Free. We'll also send a short series of expat guides. Unsubscribe anytime.

Photo of author

John Joseph is the lead editor for Thailand Starter Kit. He's a New Jersey native who lives in Bangkok with his wife and two daughters.

Sponsored
Questions About This Article?
Please post them in our Reddit community at /r/expatden.