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In February 2026, Wise announced a significant change for customers in Thailand. Thai-based accounts are moving under Wise’s Thailand entity, regulated by the Bank of Thailand. The timeline depends on when you signed up:
- if you registered before 21 January 2026, the restrictions take effect on 3 August 2026;
- if you registered after that date, the changes apply by June 2026.
The change comes with both upsides and downsides. On the positive side, you’ll be able to use Wise for PromptPay transfers and QR code payments. On the negative side, the multi-currency functionality becomes more complicated and more expensive. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s actually changing, and who it affects.
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Contents
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What’s Actually Changing
If your Wise account is registered in Thailand, it will now be managed locally under Thai financial regulations, meaning Wise must comply with Bank of Thailand rules.
New Benefits for Thailand-Based Users
The update brings several meaningful improvements for people based in Thailand. New features are being rolled out progressively to existing customers between March and August 2026:
- You can now send THB overseas
- You can top up Wise directly from a Thai bank account
- You can send to and receive from any PromptPay ID (mobile number or Citizen ID); incoming PromptPay payments are capped at 10,000 THB per transaction
- You can scan QR codes to pay at local merchants, including smaller shops that don’t accept credit cards
- You can order a physical Wise card delivered to a Thai address
- You can get up to 3 digital cards for online payments; digital cards can also be added to Google Wallet for contactless payments on Android devices
Major Advantages of the New Changes
This is a notable upgrade for two groups in particular.
- Those who regularly needs to send Thai Baht overseas: Right now, that process is genuinely difficult. Bank transfers can be expensive for smaller amounts, and other options are limited.
- Those who can’t have a local bank account: You can use Wise to send and receive money by PromptPay ID, as well as use QR code payments.
Major Disadvantages of the New Changes
While Wise improves for local payments and sending THB abroad, it takes a step back when it comes to handling multiple currencies.
No more direct foreign currency transfers
Previously, you could send or receive money between currencies directly. After the cutoff date, everything must be converted to THB first.
- If you want to send USD to a SGD account, the path becomes: USD to THB to SGD.
- Even sending USD from your Wise account to your own USD bank account requires two conversions: USD to THB, then THB back to USD.
That’s two conversions and two sets of fees, which means higher overall transfer costs than before.
Incoming foreign currency converts automatically to THB
If someone sends you USD, EUR, GBP, or any other foreign currency, you can no longer hold it in your multi-currency balance and wait for a favourable rate. It will be converted to THB immediately, removing your flexibility to time conversions strategically.
This applies only to payments received from third parties. If you’re adding money from your own foreign bank account (for example, USD from your US bank account to your Wise USD balance), that still works as before.
Account limits
The new structure introduces daily and per-transaction limits:
- 30,000 THB per day for account payments and transfers; this starting limit increases as you use Wise more frequently
- 10,000 THB per transaction for individual THB payments or transfers
- 750,000 THB per day for converting THB into another currency
- 800,000 THB per day for outward remittances (all transfers from THB to a foreign currency combined)
The 10,000 THB per transaction cap is the most restrictive for everyday use. If you’re making larger local payments, you’ll need to split them into multiple transactions.
No ATM withdrawals inside Thailand
All existing Wise cards linked to Thai accounts will be cancelled by September 2026. Wise will email you by August with instructions for a free replacement. The replacement card won’t work at Thai ATMs, though it can still be used to withdraw cash abroad.
For expats who already have a Thai bank account and ATM card, this won’t matter much. If you’re a digital nomad who relies on withdrawing cash from ATMs in Thailand using your Wise card, you’ll need to update your Wise account address to a non-Thai country, or consider switching to another travel card for Thai ATM withdrawals.
How Much Does This Actually Matter?
It depends on your situation. The changes are a step forward if you:
- Don’t have a Thai bank account and need to make local transfers (this applies to many digital nomads and tourists, though the 10,000 THB per transaction and 30,000 THB per day limits apply)
- Regularly need to send Thai Baht overseas
The changes are a downgrade if you:
- Manage multiple currencies regularly, since more fees and conversion steps are now involved
- Receive money in Thailand and prefer to hold it in a foreign currency before converting
If you already have a Thai bank account, the local payment improvements won’t change much for you since you can already do all of this through your existing bank.
What to Do Next
Your next steps depend on when you signed up for Wise.
If you registered before 21 January 2026, your account works as normal until 3 August 2026. In June, Wise will email you requesting verification documents required by the Bank of Thailand. Non-immigrant visas are accepted, including the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and Education (ED) visas. Wise says it will share full instructions at that time.
If you registered after 21 January 2026, the new features and restrictions apply by June 2026.
If you no longer live in Thailand, update your Wise account address to your current country of residence. This determines which regulations apply to your account and whether the Thai restrictions affect you.
If you rely on Wise for multi-currency management or receiving foreign currency, plan ahead before the August 2026 deadline.
For the full official details, you can read Wise’s announcement here.
