Whether you are supporting family, paying for a condo, or funding a retirement in Thailand, sending baht is fast and cheap in 2026 — as long as you use a specialist service rather than a bank wire. Thailand’s modern banking and the rise of PromptPay make delivery smoother than ever. Here is how to do it well.
Wise is usually the cheapest way to send under ~$10,000 to Thailand — real mid-market rate, fee typically under 1% on larger sends, and around 74% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds. Remitly advertises $0 fees but adds a rate margin, so over $1,000 Wise usually wins. Both deposit to major Thai banks. Fund from a bank account or card to stay exempt from the new 1% US remittance tax.
Thailand’s currency: the baht (THB)
Thailand uses the Thai baht, written ฿ and coded THB. Your money is converted into baht for deposit into a Thai bank account, so what your recipient receives depends on both the fee and the exchange rate. Thailand’s tightly run banking system makes deposits reliable and quick; the main thing to get right is choosing a provider that gives you the real rate. Benchmark any offer against the mid-market rate on our live USD to THB converter.
Best options for sending money to Thailand
| Provider | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Most transfers under $10k | Mid-market rate, sub-1% fee on larger sends; ~74% arrive in seconds; PromptPay support |
| Remitly | Speed & first-transfer offers | $0 fee but rate margin; supports 7 major Thai banks; good for smaller sends |
| CurrencyFair | Very large transfers ($5k+) | Can be slightly cheaper on big amounts, but slower |
| Bank wire | Avoid for cost | High fees + poor rate; specialist services are far cheaper |
Thai banks and PromptPay
Delivery to Thailand is straightforward. Wise sends directly to Thai bank accounts, and Remitly supports seven major banks including Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and Krung Thai Bank. A welcome development is PromptPay — Thailand’s national instant-payment system linked to phone numbers — which Wise has been rolling out as a delivery option, letting you send to a PromptPay ID rather than needing full bank details. For recipients that makes receiving money as easy as sharing a phone number.
Why to skip the bank wire
As with most corridors, the classic mistake is sending an international bank wire. Banks pair a flat fee with a marked-up exchange rate, and the combined cost dwarfs what a specialist charges. Wise’s mid-market pricing removes the hidden markup entirely, which is why it is usually the cheapest route for sending baht — and it is dramatically faster too.
The 1% US remittance tax
Since January 1, 2026, a 1% US federal excise tax applies to outbound remittances funded with cash or a money order. Transfers funded from a US bank account or with a debit or credit card are exempt. Sending online from your bank gets the best rate and avoids this tax entirely.
How to get the best deal
Compare providers on the baht received, favour a mid-market service like Wise for anything over $1,000, and take advantage of Wise’s fee-free first transfer (up to 20,000 baht) if this is your opening send. Use PromptPay or a direct bank deposit for the smoothest delivery, and fund electronically to keep costs — and the remittance tax — to zero.
Check today’s USD to THB rate
The baht rate moves daily. See the real mid-market USD to THB rate before you send so you can judge each provider’s markup.