Big Changes Coming to Wise Accounts in Thailand (Effective 19 May 2026)

Wise is making a major shift in how its services work for customers in Thailand. From 19 May 2026 onwards, Wise accounts held in Thailand will be operated by a locally licensed and regulated Thai entity under the Bank of Thailand. This move aims to offer a more localized experience for users, but it also brings both new features and important service changes.

What’s New: Local Features for Thailand Customers

Wise is introducing several features tailored specifically to the Thai market — some of which bring benefits that were previously unavailable to Thai residents:

1. THB Transfers Abroad

You’ll be able to send Thai Baht (THB) overseas directly from:

• A local Thai bank account, or

• Your THB balance inside Wise.Wise will continue to use mid-market exchange rates with transparent fees.

  
  

2. Add THB From Thai Banks

Customers can add THB directly to their Wise account from a Thai bank. Once in the account, those Thai Baht funds can be converted into and held in over 40 currencies.

3. Full PromptPay Integration

Wise will support Thailand’s national payments infrastructure:

• Send money to PromptPay IDs (mobile number or Citizen ID)

• Receive money via PromptPay

• Scan and pay with PromptPay QR / ThaiQR codes — useful for paying at local shops without card terminals.

  
  

4. Wise Cards for Thailand

Thai customers can order:

• Physical Wise cards delivered locally, and

• Digital cards for online payments.These cards can be used for spending inside Thailand and abroad, continuing Wise’s approach of transparent exchange rates with no hidden markups.

What’s Changing: Restrictions and Limitations After May 2026

Alongside new features, there are notable restrictions to how Wise services will work once the changes take effect:

1. No Direct Transfers Between Two Foreign Bank Accounts

After 19 May:

• You won’t be able to send money between two overseas bank accounts not involving Thailand (e.g., from a US bank to a Singapore bank).

• Instead, you would need to route via your Wise account’s THB balance, which means two currency conversions and extra fees.

  
  

2. Sending Non-THB Currencies Overseas Is Limited

You will no longer be able to send foreign currencies (like USD or GBP) directly from your Wise account to overseas bank accounts.To send money in another currency, you would first need to convert it to THB, then send it — effectively adding an extra conversion step and cost.

3. Incoming Foreign Currency Is Auto-Converted to THB

If you receive payments in currencies other than THB — whether from other Wise users or via foreign account details — these funds will be automatically converted to THB upon receipt. The foreign currency will not be held in your account as a foreign balance.

4. No ATM Withdrawals in Thailand

You won’t be able to withdraw cash from Thai ATMs using your Wise card.However, Wise cards will still work for ATM withdrawals abroad. As an alternative for local payments, you’ll be encouraged to use PromptPay QR scan-to-pay instead.

Transition & Regulatory Requirements

• No changes will be made to existing accounts before May 2026 — you can continue using Wise as usual until then.

• In April 2026, Wise plans to contact Thai users to request additional verification documents, in line with Bank of Thailand regulations.

• If you are no longer living in Thailand, you’ll need to update your address in Wise to reflect your current country of residence.

  
  

Bottom Line: What This Means for Wise Users in Thailand

These updates bring some welcome local capabilities — like direct THB remittance, PromptPay integration and card availability — that were previously limited or unavailable. At the same time, international transfer flexibility will be reduced compared to the current globally oriented Wise experience.

For many residents and long-term Thailand users, this may be a step toward a more localized financial tool. For others who rely on Wise primarily for global multi-currency transfers without routing through Thailand, the changes may require rethinking how international money movements are handled.