How to Transfer Money to Thailand from Australia — The Complete Guide

Wise is the standard recommendation for Australians transferring to Thailand for monthly living costs and moderate amounts (AUD 500–50,000 per transfer). Key facts: Exchange rate: Wise uses the mid-market rate (no markup). The fee is a transparent percentage of the amount, typically 0.4–0.8% for AUD→THB. Speed: typically 1 business day to a Thai bank account. Limits: Wise imposes per-transfer limits. For larger amounts (AUD 100,000+) you may need multiple transfers or a different provider. Receiving bank: recipient provides their Thai bank account number (no SWIFT needed — Wise handles the routing). FET form: Wise transfers do NOT generate a Foreign Exchange Transaction certificate from the Thai bank (see below). This matters for property purchase — if you intend to use the funds to buy a condo and want the legal right to repatriate the proceeds, do NOT use Wise for the purchase amount.

Australian banks offer international SWIFT transfers. Key facts: Exchange rate: typically 2–3% below the mid-market rate. For AUD 50,000, this is AUD 1,000–1,500 more expensive than Wise. Fees: AUD 15–30 per transfer. Speed: 2–4 business days. FET form: an international bank-to-bank SWIFT transfer that arrives in foreign currency (AUD or USD) at a Thai bank does generate a FET certificate from the Thai bank — critical for condo purchases.

OTHER PROVIDERS: OFX, CURRENCIES DIRECT, TorFX These are specialist foreign exchange providers that offer better rates than Australian banks (though slightly worse than Wise) with better service for larger amounts. All quoted on an AUD → THB basis. Use for amounts where Wise limits are an issue.

THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTION (FET) CERTIFICATE — CRITICAL FOR PROPERTY BUYERS If you purchase a condo in Thailand, Thai law requires the purchase price to be remitted into Thailand in foreign currency (not transferred from a Thai THB account). The Thai receiving bank then issues a Foreign Exchange Transaction (FET) certificate (also called a TT3 or bank certificate).

When you sell the condo, you can only repatriate the original purchase price abroad if you can show a FET certificate for that exact amount. Without it, the funds are effectively trapped in Thailand — you can hold them in THB, but officially repatriating them requires proof the money came from overseas.

Transfer the purchase amount (in AUD, USD, GBP, EUR — not THB) via SWIFT directly to your Thai bank account. The receiving Thai bank will issue the FET certificate on request, usually on the day of receipt. Request it explicitly — it is not always issued automatically.

Do NOT use Wise for condo purchases if you want to repatriate. Wise handles the conversion internally and the funds arrive at the Thai bank as THB — no FET certificate is generated.

For the Non-OA retirement visa bank balance requirement: Transfer the equivalent of 800,000 THB to your Thai bank account and hold it there for 3 continuous months without dipping below 800,000 THB. Use Wise or bank transfer — both are fine for this purpose. The FET certificate is not required for the Non-OA (only for property). Start the transfer early — the 3-month seasoning clock starts the day the balance reaches 800,000 THB.

Example timeline: if applying for a Non-OA extension in October, the balance must have been at or above 800,000 THB continuously since July. Transfer in late June to be safe.

AUD/THB is volatile. June 2025 rate: approximately 1 AUD = 24.0 THB. 800,000 THB = approximately AUD 33,300 at this rate. Check the live rate before transferring — a 3% AUD weakness increases your cost by approximately AUD 1,000.

For regular monthly transfers (AUD 2,000–5,000/month for living costs), Wise is the standard choice. Set up regular transfers or schedule manually. Arrival in Thailand: 1 business day, direct to KBank/Bangkok Bank/SCB.

For the monthly income method (Non-OA income evidence): transfer from overseas each month to your Thai account and retain the transfer records — these are your income evidence.

General guidance only. Exchange rates and fees are indicative as of June 2025 and subject to change. Not financial advice. No outcome guaranteed. Independent visa assistance agency; not affiliated with any government body.