Transferring money to Thailand: done right
The honest answer with numbers, for international buyers
Send the purchase price to Thailand in foreign currency and let the Thai bank convert to baht; from 50,000 USD equivalent the bank issues the FET record you need for foreign freehold registration. State the purchase purpose in the transfer reference. German AWV reporting applies to transfers above 50,000 EUR. Avoid converting to baht before the money leaves Europe.
The right route in three moves
- Send EUR (or USD), not THB: conversion happens at the Thai bank so the inflow counts as foreign currency for the FET.
- Reference the purpose: e.g. "purchase of condominium unit X, project Y" so the paper trail is clean.
- Collect the FET record: from 50,000 USD the bank documents the inflow; keep it with your contract forever.
The three classic mistakes
Converting to baht in Europe (kills the FET basis), splitting sums so no single inflow meets the documentation threshold without telling the bank the combined purpose, and forgetting the German AWV notification above 50,000 EUR, which is a simple report but mandatory.
Getting money out again
With FET records matching your registered purchase, repatriating sale proceeds later is a documented, standard process. Details in our money-transfer guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why must the money come from abroad?
Foreign freehold registration requires proof that the funds entered Thailand from abroad in foreign currency; that proof is the FET record from your Thai bank.
What is the cheapest way to send money?
Bank SWIFT transfers with fair FX margins or established providers; compare total cost, not just fees. Crucially, the money must arrive as foreign currency and be converted in Thailand.
What is the AWV report?
A German statistical notification for cross-border transfers above 50,000 EUR. It costs nothing and takes minutes, but skipping it can trigger fines.
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