How to Send Money to Thailand from the UK (2026 Guide)

This guide breaks down exactly how to send money to Thailand from the UK, compares the real costs of each option, and shows you how to avoid the traps that cost British expats and travellers millions every year.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Here's how the main options stack up for a typical £1,000 transfer to Thailand:

*Based on £1,000 transfer, mid-market rate 43.86 THB. Actual amounts vary with market rates.

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is the most popular choice for UK-to-Thailand transfers, and for good reason. They use the mid-market exchange rate and charge a small, transparent fee. For a £1,000 transfer to Thailand, you'll typically pay around £3.50 in fees, and the money arrives within 1-2 hours in most cases.

The big advantage is transparency. You see exactly what rate you're getting and what you're paying before you send. No hidden markups, no surprise charges. The recipient gets the full amount in their Thai bank account.

Best for: Regular transfers under £5,000, paying bills in Thailand, supporting family.

Revolut

Revolut can offer great rates on their premium plans — sometimes even beating Wise on smaller amounts. The catch is that free-plan users get hit with weekend fees and there are monthly limits on fee-free exchanges. If you're already a Revolut Premium or Metal customer, it's worth comparing their rate against Wise for each transfer.

Best for: People who already have Revolut Premium, smaller amounts under £1,000.

OFX and Specialist Brokers

For larger transfers — buying property, moving pension funds, transferring life savings — OFX and other specialist forex brokers come into their own. They don't charge transfer fees, and while their rate mark-up is slightly higher than Wise on small amounts, they often offer better rates on transfers over £5,000. Many will also let you lock in a rate for a future transfer (a "forward contract").

Best for: Transfers over £5,000, property purchases, pension transfers.

Why Your UK Bank Is (Usually) the Worst Option

Sending THB through your UK bank is expensive. Transfer fee: typically £15-25. Exchange rate mark-up: usually 3-5%. Receiving fee: Thai banks often charge 200-500 THB. On a £1,000 transfer, you could lose £50-75 compared to using Wise. On £10,000, that's £300-500.

Step-by-Step: Sending Money to Thailand

1. Compare rates on the day. Check Wise, Revolut, and OFX.
2. Set up your account. Most services need ID verification. Do this before you need to send urgently.
3. Get the recipient's bank details. Thai bank name, account number, and full name as it appears on the account.
4. Enter the transfer details. Double-check everything.
5. Pay for the transfer. Bank transfer (Faster Payments) is usually cheapest.
6. Track and confirm. Most services give you a tracking link.

Which Thai Banks Receive International Transfers?

• Bangkok Bank — Most popular for international transfers
• Kasikornbank (KBank) — Great app, fast processing
• SCB (Siam Commercial Bank) — Widely used, reliable
• Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) — Good for expats in Pattaya and Hua Hin

Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

• Exchange rate mark-up: Always compare against the mid-market rate on Google.
• SWIFT fees: Intermediary bank charges of £10-25.
• Thai receiving fees: Most Thai banks charge 200-500 THB.
• Weekend/holding fees: Some services charge extra on weekends.
• Card payment surcharges: Paying by card often adds 0.5-2%.

Tax and Legal Considerations

If you're sending money you've already paid tax on in the UK, there's generally no additional UK tax on the transfer itself. For transfers over £10,000, your bank may ask questions under anti-money laundering regulations — this is normal. On the Thai side, the Bank of Thailand requires reporting for transfers over $50,000 USD equivalent.