Wise is rolling out significant changes for customers in Thailand as it transitions to operating through its locally licensed Thai entity, regulated by the Bank of Thailand.
For many users, this announcement is confusing because it affects different people in different ways depending on where your Wise account is registered.
In this article, I’ll break it down clearly into simple terms so you can understand exactly what applies to you; whether you live in Thailand with a Thai-registered Wise account, or you use Wise from the UK, US, or elsewhere and simply send money into Thailand.
Quick Overview Table
| Feature | Wise Account Registered in Thailand | Wise Account Registered Outside Thailand (UK / US / EU) |
|---|---|---|
| Core changes | Major updates under Thailand’s regulated Wise entity | No fundamental change to account structure |
| New features | PromptPay, Thai QR payments, local top-ups, THB transfers abroad, Thai-issued Wise cards | No new Thailand-specific features added |
| Receiving money | Foreign currency payments from others are converted to THB automatically | Receive funds into foreign currency balances as normal |
| Currency conversions | Some transfers involve dual conversion (via THB) | Standard direct conversions as per usual Wise routing |
| Transfer limits | New daily and per-transaction limits apply (e.g. 800,000 THB outward remittance cap) | No new Thailand-specific limits introduced |
| Wise card | Existing cards replaced; ATM withdrawals in Thailand disabled | No changes to card usage |
| Sending money to Thailand | Not applicable (Thailand-based accounts focus on outbound/in-country use) | Works as normal using Wise international transfers |
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There are two different types of Wise users:
1. Wise Accounts Registered in Thailand (Thai address)
These are customers who:
- Signed up using a Thai residential address
- Are classed under the Thailand Wise entity
- Will be directly affected by the new Thailand regulatory framework
This group will see major feature changes AND new restrictions.
2. Wise accounts registered outside Thailand (UK, US, EU etc.)
These are customers who:
- Signed up in the UK, US, Australia, etc.
- Use Wise to send money into Thailand (for example, GBP → THB transfers)
Important: These users are generally not using the Thai Wise entity, even if they send money to Thailand.
For this group:
- Nothing fundamentally changes in how Wise operates globally
- You will still be able to send money to Thai bank accounts as usual
- Wise continues to process international transfers as normal under its existing structure
The biggest impact is not on sending money to Thailand, but on how Thai-registered accounts function internally.
What’s Changing for Wise Customers in Thailand
These updates will roll out between March and August 2026.
If your Wise account is registered in Thailand, you’ll gain access to:
- Send THB internationally
- Send Thai baht abroad from your Thai bank or Wise balance at mid-market exchange rates with transparent fees.
- Fund your Wise account locally
- Top up your Wise multi-currency account directly from a Thai bank account.
PromptPay integration
- Pay businesses and individuals by scanning Thai QR codes
- Send and receive money via PromptPay ID (phone number or national ID)
Wise Card in Thailand
- Order physical cards delivered locally
- Create up to 3 digital cards instantly
- Use for online, in-store, and international spending
Key Restrictions
From mid-2026, Thai-registered accounts will also be subject to new rules.
1. More currency conversion steps (in some cases)
Some transfers will involve two conversions instead of one, for example:
USD → THB → SGD
or
USD → THB → USD (when sending USD abroad)
This increases overall fees compared to the current structure.
2. Money received from others is automatically converted to THB
If someone sends you money from:
- A bank account
- Another Wise user
- Foreign account details (e.g. US routing number, UK IBAN)
It is:
- Automatically converted into Thai baht (THB)
- Deposited into your THB balance
Important exception:
You can still top up your own Wise currency balances (e.g. USD from your US bank account) without forced conversion.
3. Transfer Limits Introduced
- Up to 800,000 THB per day for outward remittances
- Up to 30,000 THB per day total usage across multi-currency account payments (can increase over time)
- Max 750,000 THB per day for THB → other currency conversions
- Max 10,000 THB per transaction for certain THB payments/transfers
Some limits do not apply to:
- Bank-to-bank international transfers outside Wise balances
- Adding money directly from bank accounts
4. Wise Card Changes
If your account is registered in Thailand:
- Existing cards are cancelled by September 2026
- Replacement cards will be issued
- ATM withdrawals in Thailand are no longer allowed*
- You can still withdraw cash abroad
* Regarding the restriction on ATM withdrawals. This isn’t a product choice; it’s tied to licensing. Thailand’s payment service framework (non-bank providers like Wise under Bank of Thailand regulation) typically allows card payments (POS / online), QR / PromptPay integration, but restricts domestic cash withdrawal networks (ATM access).
So Wise is effectively being positioned as a digital wallet + payments + FX platform, not a cash-access instrument inside Thailand.
If your Wise account is registered in the UK, US, EU, etc., nothing major changes for you
You can still:
- Send money to Thailand in THB
- Use Wise exchange rates as normal
- Pay Thai bank accounts and recipients
However, while the core user experience remains the same, the way Wise processes Thailand is aligned under its local Thai entity structure, so fee structures and routing may change in specific cases over time as part of internal processing adjustments.
Not got a Wise account yet?
→ Get Your First Wise Transfer (up to £1,000/$1,000) Free!
Why is Wise Making These Changes?
Wise is transitioning Thailand users into a fully regulated local entity under the Bank of Thailand. This is part of a wider global trend where fintech companies localise financial operations, comply with domestic regulations, and introduce stricter controls on cross-border flows
In Summary
If your Wise account is registered in Thailand → expect major feature upgrades and tighter controls.
If your Wise account is registered outside Thailand → very little changes in day-to-day use.
The biggest impact is on how Thai-based accounts receive, hold, and send money internationally
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Last Updated on
Stuart Scott says
It'd be quite troublesome to send money from WISE Thailand to WISE International via wise tags.
If you mentioned no changes for non-Thai registered accounts, then I'd have to assume having 2 wise accounts with different residential details.
Jun 09, 2026 at 11:59 am
JamesE says
Thailand is chartering a few online-only banks this year so once the bureaucracy realizes that the world doesn't come apart at the seams when there's no paper maybe more features will be enabled in Wise. I wouldn't hold my breath for that.
Jun 09, 2026 at 4:08 pm
JamesE says
That appears to be what they said. But I just spent forty-five minutes with the Wise AI Assistant which initially agreed with that opinion but then decided that THB cannot be moved directly into a US based Wise account. In fact it told me that even Thailand based accounts couldn't be funded with THB...
So, now I'm talking with another human who details the steps needed to do the transfer:
"Here are the correct steps for your one-time transfer:
1. Set up your transfer in Wise from THB to USD and add your US bank account as the recipient.
2. During the setup, you'll be asked to provide your 'Source of Funds' and 'Transfer Purpose'—this is a mandatory step for all transfers from Thailand.
3. When you reach the payment stage, you'll see a QR Code. This is currently the only way to pay for THB transfers.
4. Simply scan that QR code using your Thai bank's mobile app to authorize the payment. There's no need to manually enter bank details or a reference number.
Once you've scanned and paid, we'll take it from there! It’s much faster and reduces the chance of any manual entry errors. Does that make sense?"
So, that's what I know as of right now. It's a two-step process but is straightforward as far as processes in Thailand go.
Jun 05, 2026 at 8:53 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 05, 2026 at 9:17 pm
JamesE says
Jun 05, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Paul M says
Jun 01, 2026 at 10:46 am
JamesE says
Jun 01, 2026 at 3:45 pm
JamesE says
May 31, 2026 at 9:49 am
TheThailandLife says
May 31, 2026 at 5:06 pm
JamesE says
May 31, 2026 at 8:42 pm
JamesE says
Me: I am a US citizen with a US-based Wise account. I spend most of the year in Thailand where I have a bank account and second residence. Is it possible to have two personal Wise accounts, one for my US transactions and one for my Thai use? Thank you!
Wise: I understand your question having two Wise account, one for the US transaction and one for Thai transaction.
You can only have one personal Wise account, and one business profile for each of your businesses. If you've accidentally created a duplicate, we'll need to close it to keep your money safe and comply with regulations.
Just so you know that you could be able to get an account details for Thailand and it seems you have already an Thai account details.
Me: How does that work? Does it allow me to transfer Baht to USD or fund my Wise account from my Thai bank?
Wise: Yes it will allow you to transfer Baht to USD. You can also use your Thai Baht to pay for a USD transaction.
For example If you’re planning on spending in a currency that you don’t have in your Wise account, don't worry — you can still spend money. Our Smart Conversion technology will automatically convert the currency for you that has the lowest conversion fee.
We use technology that takes money from the currency with the lowest conversion fees when you pay with your card. And if the currencies that you hold in your account have the same conversion fees, we'll use the one with the best exchange rate, so you get the most for your money.
Me: Right, my concern is the ability to move money from my Thai account to my US account. Say, for trip expenses or a large purchase while I'm in the US.
Wise: Yes it will allow you to move your money from your Thai account to US account.
So, It appears that the new rules allow, as you said, only one account but the ability to fund your existing account or move money out of Thailand is allowed from a foreign based account. I'll have to test it once I win the lottery...
Jun 01, 2026 at 10:02 am
TheThailandLife says
Jun 05, 2026 at 6:41 pm