SWIFT/BIC codes in Thailand

Finding a SWIFT code in Thailand

In Thailand our database holds 282 SWIFT/BIC codes. Every code identifies an institution or a specific branch or department and tells other banks where an international payment should go.

Every bank is listed with its own page with the head office code and if there are any, branch codes. Below the list you can read how a code from Thailand is put together, how to send money there without overpaying and what to check before you pay.

Which bank in Thailand has the most codes?

Of all banks in Thailand, Bank of Thailand is listed with the most SWIFT codes. The head office of Bank of Thailand uses BOTHTHBKXXX.

Practice differs in whether they register branch codes. Paying someone at Bank of Thailand? Go with BOTHTHBKXXX except when the recipient gives you a branch code.

Tracking a payment to Thailand

A SWIFT payment to Thailand typically takes anywhere from one to several business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Transfers sent after the cut-off time or on weekends and holidays often start the next business day.

When a payment takes longer than expected, ask the sender to contact the sending bank and ask for the status or the UETR; only the sending side can start an official trace. Specialist transfer services often provide tracking in their app so you can follow the payment.

Recognising a SWIFT code from Thailand

Bank identifier codes use the same format worldwide: eight characters, sometimes followed by three more. It starts with a four-letter bank code, then a two-letter country code and two characters for the location.

No matter which bank, all Thailand codes have the same fifth and sixth letters. If the country letters point to another country, the code belongs to a bank somewhere else, so check again.

The last three characters, if present, identify a branch or department; XXX is used for the head office. For most transfers the head office code is what you need, unless the recipient gives you a branch code.

Paying a bank in Thailand from abroad

Thailand is not part of the SEPA area. Payments from abroad normally travel over the SWIFT network, and the BIC of the receiving bank is required.

Not every country uses the IBAN. The recipient’s bank usually has a list of required details for incoming international payments – follow them exactly. International transfers can pass through one or more intermediary banks.

Receiving money in Thailand from abroad

For a transfer from abroad in Thailand, the sender needs more than the SWIFT code. Give them your name as registered with the bank, your account number or IBAN, the BIC of your bank and your address, which some banks require.

The code of your bank appears in our list but always compare it with your own bank details. You can include the name and city of your bank, since some payment forms ask for it.

The amount you receive is often lower than what was sent. Intermediary banks may deduct a fee, and if the money is converted, a markup on the rate applies. Make clear with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

The cheapest way to send money to Thailand

If you send money to Thailand through a regular bank, the fee you see is only part of the cost. You pay a transfer fee, sometimes fees from correspondent banks and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup.

The markup on the rate is often the largest cost item, even though it is not listed as a fee. An easy check: set the offered rate against the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

For a lot of routes, a specialist provider turns out to be less expensive than a traditional bank transfer. GoldexPay compares the amount that arrives in Thailand across providers.

Sending THB to Thailand

Bank accounts in Thailand are typically held in THB – the Thai Baht. Money sent in a different currency is exchanged into THB on its way to the recipient.

Which bank converts the money makes a difference. Check how much THB arrives via different services; the difference between options can be larger than you expect. On larger amounts, even a small gap in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

About our data and how to check a code

The safest source for the BIC is the bank details provided by the recipient – an invoice, a statement or a screenshot from online banking. A wrong code can cause a delay, a returned payment or additional charges.

The directory on GoldexPay draws on publicly available sources and is updated regularly. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or retire codes. Treat our data as a starting point: the bank details from the recipient come first. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site.

Scammers regularly send payment requests with changed bank details. Always verify changed details through a separate channel on a number you know.