Wise, one of the most widely used international money transfer apps in the world, is about to change significantly for customers based in Thailand. Starting on or after 19 May 2026, Wise will operate through its locally incorporated Thai entity, fully licensed and regulated by the Bank of Thailand. The announcement, published directly on wise.com, marks one of the most significant regulatory milestones for a global fintech player in Southeast Asia.
The changes bring genuine new features — but also real restrictions that current users need to understand before May arrives.
What's New: The Features Coming to Thailand
The Bank of Thailand licence unlocks a set of locally-relevant features that were previously unavailable or inaccessible to Thai users:
Send THB overseas at mid-market rates. Thai users will be able to send Thai Baht abroad directly from a local Thai bank account or from their THB Wise balance. Wise's core promise applies: the same exchange rate you see on Google, with no hidden margin.
Fund your Wise account from a Thai bank. Previously, adding money from a local Thai bank account wasn't straightforward. From May 2026, it will be — and once funds are added, users can convert and hold money in over 40 currencies.
PromptPay integration. This is arguably the most locally meaningful addition. Wise users will be able to transfer money to any PromptPay ID (mobile number or Citizen ID), receive payments via PromptPay, and use their Wise e-wallet PromptPay QR to receive funds. Thailand's PromptPay network handles billions of transactions annually — being plugged into it is essential for any app serious about the Thai market.
Scan-and-pay with PromptPay QR / ThaiQR. Users will be able to scan QR codes to pay both individuals and smaller businesses — the kind of neighbourhood shops and street vendors that don't accept international credit or debit cards.
Physical and digital Wise card delivered to Thailand. The Wise debit card — long popular with expats and travellers for its no-markup international spending — will now be available as both a physical card shipped to Thai addresses and a digital card for online payments.
What's Changing: The Restrictions You Should Know About
Regulatory compliance comes with trade-offs. From 19 May 2026, several use cases that some Thai-based Wise users currently rely on will no longer be supported.
No more transfers between two overseas accounts. If you've been using Wise to move money between, say, a US bank account and a Singapore account — without involving Thailand — that will no longer be possible from a Thai-based Wise account. The workaround Wise proposes involves routing through THB, which means two currency conversions and two sets of fees.
No sending non-THB currencies abroad. You won't be able to send USD, GBP, EUR, or any other foreign currency balance directly to an overseas bank account. You'll first need to convert that foreign currency to THB, then send the THB internationally. Again, double conversion fees apply.
Incoming foreign currency payments auto-converted to THB. If someone sends you USD via Wise, or you receive a payment via your foreign currency account details, the amount will be automatically converted to THB and deposited into your THB balance. You'll no longer be able to hold foreign currencies received from abroad. Mid-market rates apply, but conversion fees will be deducted.
No ATM cash withdrawals in Thailand. The Wise card can still be used to withdraw cash at ATMs abroad, but not at ATMs within Thailand. For local cash needs, Wise points to the PromptPay scan-and-pay feature as an alternative.
The Regulatory Logic Behind the Restrictions
These restrictions aren't arbitrary — they reflect a common pattern in how central banks regulate domestic payment service providers. The Bank of Thailand's framework is designed around protecting Thai residents and ensuring money flows are traceable and compliant with local AML (anti-money laundering) rules. Requiring that all flows touch THB — rather than allowing Thai-licensed entities to freely route foreign-to-foreign currency transfers — is a standard feature of national payment service licences in the region.
Wise's compliance approach here is consistent with how it handles regulations in other markets. When it obtained its licence in Singapore, Japan, or the EU, similar scope limitations applied at launch. The expectation is that the product matures within the regulatory framework over time.
Timeline: What Happens Before May 2026
Until May 2026, nothing changes for existing Wise users in Thailand — you can continue using your account exactly as today. In April 2026, Wise will reach out by email to request additional verification documents required by the Bank of Thailand. Users who no longer reside in Thailand are advised to update their address in the Wise app to reflect their actual country of residence, as the new regime applies specifically to Thai-based customers.
Who Is Most Affected?
Expats and international workers in Thailand gain the most from the new features — local bank top-ups, PromptPay, and the Wise card finally accessible in-country — while potentially losing some flexibility if they were using Wise to manage transfers between multiple overseas accounts.
Freelancers receiving foreign payments will need to adjust to the auto-conversion of incoming non-THB amounts. If you're an independent contractor paid in USD or EUR, your incoming Wise payments will now land as THB rather than foreign currency.
Travellers and digital nomads using Wise primarily for card spending and international transfers will find the overall experience improved, with the added inconvenience of no local ATM withdrawals.
Wise in Context: The Global Money Transfer App Going Local
Wise's Thailand launch is part of a broader strategic pattern. The company holds payment licences across the UK, EU, US, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Each new licence deepens its local relevance and allows product features that a cross-border-only model simply can't support.
In Southeast Asia, where the competition for international money transfer is fierce — with regional players like GrabPay, TrueMoney, and GCash, alongside global challengers like Remitly and Western Union — obtaining a Bank of Thailand licence is a meaningful competitive statement. It signals permanence, accountability, and the kind of regulatory credibility that enterprise clients and high-volume remittance users increasingly require.
For a comprehensive comparison of money transfer apps available globally, including Wise, see our Ultimate Guide to Money Transfer Apps Worldwide.
Sources: Wise official announcement, wise.com