Exchange Regulations
Bank Deposits
Trade
Foreign Tourists
Foreign Investment
Capital Transfers by Residents

Exchange Regulation

• Rules and Regulations

The legal basis for exchange restriction in Thailand is derived from the Exchange Control Act (B.E. 2485) and the Ministerial Regulation No. 13 (B.E. 2497) issued under the Exchange Control Act (B.E.2485). These laws set out the principles of controls under which Notifications and Notices that prescribe the detailed procedures were issued. 

  
• Administration

The Bank of Thailand has been entrusted by the Ministry of Finance with the responsibility of administration of foreign exchange. All foreign exchange transactions are to be conducted through authorized banks. Authorized persons (money changers) only engage in the purchase of foreign notes and travelers' checks and the selling of foreign notes. 
• Currency Regulations
  
  
1. Foreign Currency 


Foreign currencies can be brought into Thailand without limit. Any person receiving foreign currencies is required to surrender foreign currencies to an authorized bank or to deposit the same in a foreign currency account within 7 days from receipt, except foreigners temporarily staying in Thailand for not more than three months, foreign embassies, and international organizations.

Foreign exchange cover with authorized banks in Thailand is generally available where a genuine underlying current or capital transaction exists and not contrary to exchange control policy at the time.

2. Local Currency 

There is no restriction on the amount of Thai currency that may be brought into the country. A person travelling to Thailand's bordering countries including Vietnam is allowed to take out local currency up to 500,000 baht and to other country up to 50,000 baht respectively without authorization. 

Bank Deposits

• Foreign Currency Account
  

  Thai individuals and juristic persons in Thailand are allowed to maintain foreign currency accounts under the following conditions:

  1) the accounts are opened with authorized banks in Thailand and deposited with funds that originate from abroad or foreign currency borrowing from the Bangkok International Banking Facilities.

  2) the depositor must submit evidences showing the obligations to pay in foreign currencies to persons abroad, authorized banks, the Export and Import Bank of Thailand, or the Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand within 3 months from the date of deposit and can deposit not more than the amount of the above obligations.

  3) the deposit of foreign currency notes and coins must not exceed US$ 2,000 per day

  4) debits to the accounts are permitted for payment of any external obligations upon submission of supporting evidences or for conversion into baht at authorized banks.

  5) the total daily outstanding balances in all accounts must not exceed US$5 million for a juristic person and US$500,000 for an individual.

• Foreign Currency Account of Nonresidents
  
  Nonresidents can open and maintain foreign currency accounts with authorized banks in Thailand. The accounts must be deposited with funds that originate from abroad. Balances on such accounts may be transferred without restriction.
  
• Nonresidents Baht Account
  

  Nonresidents may open the account with any authorized banks in Thailand. They may freely credit with:

  1) proceeds from sale of foreign currencies that originate from abroad or foreign currencies from nonresidents' foreign currency accounts

  2) amounts transferred from other nonresident baht accounts

  3) obligations of residents to nonresidents

  No restriction is imposed on drawing funds from the accounts including conversion into foreign currencies for remittance abroad.

Trade

Proceeds from invisibles must be surrendered to an authorized bank or deposited in a foreign currency account with an authorized bank in Thailand within 7 days from receipt.

Foreign Investment

Foreign investments in Thailand, both direct and portfolio investments are freely permitted. Nonresidents may lend in foreign currency to residents without restriction. Both capital and loans can be freely transferred into the country and must be surrendered to an authorized bank or deposited in a foreign currency account with an authorized bank in Thailand within 7 days. Foreign investments in Thailand with promotional privileges from the Board of Investment are accorded various incentives and special benefits.

Repatriation of investment funds and repayment of overseas borrowing in foreign currency can be remitted freely upon submission of supporting evidences.

Securities, promissory notes, and bills of exchange may be sent abroad without restriction.

 Capital Transfers by Residents

Direct foreign investments by Thai residents or lending to their affiliated companies abroad not exceeding US$10 million yearly do not require authorization. The remittances to Thai emigrants permanently residing abroad are allowed up to US$1 million per person yearly provided that funds are derived from their own personal assets or inheritance. The remittances to relatives permanently residing outside Thailand are also allowed up to US$100,000 per person yearly. Any amount above this limit, permission must be obtained from the Bank of Thailand. Buying immovable assets or securities abroad also requires approval from the Bank of Thailand.  

Gold

The Ministry of Finance permits the import and export of gold without authorization. Residents may hold and trade domestically gold jewelry, gold coins, and gold bullion. Foreign tourists are also freely allowed to take out gold ornaments.

List of Authorized Banks

Branches of Foreign Banks In Thailand

1. Thai Baht can be taken out to Vietnam and countries bordering Thailand not exceeding 500,000 baht. 
2. Residents can provide direct foreign investments or loans to their affiliates abroad not exceeding US$ 10 million a year. 
3. A person can take out travelling expense in any forms without limit. 
4. Residents are permitted to use foreign exchange that originates from abroad to service external obligatons without surrendering or depositing them in domestic banking accounts. 
5. Additions to existing rules are also made to further facilitate movement of foreign exchange as follows: 
• The following foreign exchange can be deposited into the foreign currency accounts:

1. foreign currency borrowing by residents from the Bangkok International Banking Facilities. 
2. foreign currency borrowing by nonresidents from authorized banks. 
3. foreign currency resulting from conversion of baht withdrawn from nonresident baht accounts for depositing into nonresidents' foreign currency accounts. 
• Nonresident baht accounts can be freely credited with:

1. baht as proceeds from sale of foreign currency withdrawn from nonresidents' foreign currency accounts. 
2. baht borrowing from authorized banks. 

***This page is maintained by the Office of Economic and Financial Affairs, Washington, DC who can be reached at econ-fin@ari.net.  *** 

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