Good news for expats in Thailand as Wise rolls out overseas transfers and PromptPay access

Expats in Thailand will soon be able to send baht overseas directly from their local bank accounts and use PromptPay through their Wise app, after Wise confirmed a major update to its services in the country.

The changes, due to take effect on or after 19 May 2026, will see customers in Thailand served by Wise’s local entity, which will be fully licensed and regulated by the Bank of Thailand.

For many foreign residents who regularly move money between Thailand and their home countries, the update is likely to make day-to-day banking simpler.

Sending Thai baht overseas

One of the biggest developments is the ability to send Thai baht abroad. Customers will be able to transfer THB directly from a local Thai bank account or from their THB balance within Wise. Transfers will continue to use mid-market exchange rates with transparent fees.

For expats paid in Thailand but supporting family overseas, paying mortgages back home or moving savings internationally, the ability to remit baht directly removes an extra step that previously involved converting funds outside the platform.

PromptPay and QR payments

Wise users in Thailand will also gain access to PromptPay. That means they will be able to send money from their Wise account to any PromptPay ID, including a Thai mobile number or Citizen ID. They will also be able to receive funds via PromptPay using an e-wallet ID or QR code.

The update includes scan-and-pay functionality for PromptPay QR and ThaiQR codes. In practical terms, that allows users to pay individuals and small businesses across Thailand, including shops and vendors that do not accept international credit or debit cards.

For expats who often rely on cash or struggle with card acceptance in smaller outlets, this feature could significantly reduce friction when paying locally.

Wise cards available in Thailand

Customers will also be able to order both digital and physical Wise cards delivered to an address in Thailand. The cards can be used for online payments, in-store spending and purchases abroad.

While ATM withdrawals within Thailand will no longer be supported using a Wise card, customers will still be able to withdraw cash from ATMs overseas. Locally, Wise is encouraging users to rely on scan-and-pay via PromptPay instead.

Holding and converting currencies

Under the new structure, customers will be able to add funds to their Wise account from a local Thai bank account and convert and hold money in more than 40 currencies.

However, there are some important restrictions. Transfers between two non-Thai bank accounts using Wise will no longer be supported. For example, users will not be able to move money directly from a US bank account to a Singapore bank account through Wise’s Thailand entity.

Similarly, sending non-THB currencies such as USD or GBP directly from a Wise account to an overseas bank account will no longer be possible. Instead, funds will need to be converted into baht first, before being sent abroad. This may involve two currency conversions, with fees applying at each stage.

Receiving payments in foreign currencies will also change. Any non-THB payment received into a Wise account in Thailand will be automatically converted into baht at the prevailing mid-market rate, with conversion fees deducted. Customers will no longer be able to hold those incoming funds in foreign currency balances within their Thai-based Wise account.

What happens next

Wise said there will be no changes to customer accounts before May 2026. In April, users will be contacted and asked to provide additional verification documents in line with Bank of Thailand regulatory requirements.

Customers who no longer reside in Thailand are being advised to update their registered address within their Wise account to reflect their current country of residence.

For expats living and working in Thailand, the headline development is clear: direct THB remittances overseas and full PromptPay integration bring Wise more closely into line with how people actually manage their money here. While some flexibility around foreign currency holding will be reduced, the overall package is likely to be seen as a practical step forward for day-to-day financial life in Thailand.