Transferwise.. No Guarantee

[PhonThong]

Just a heads up to all those that transfer money every month to Bangkok Bank using Transferwise. 

 I just received my 10th transfer (10 mo.)  using Transferwise. The past 9 months have all come to my BKK bank account as an international transfer. This time however, it showed up as an "interbank transfer". Meaning it went to another bank in Thailand first and then was transferred to my BKK bank account from there. 

 I don't use the 65K method for my extension normally, but I was going to try it if I could show 12 months of transfers.  So basically, if I was dependent on the 65K a month transfer. I guess I could take a gamble and send another transfer in hopes that it comes through as an international transfer. If that was beyond my budget, i'm not sure what I would do. But, because I use the 800K method, I won't be doing that.  

 Just fair warning to those that are depending on Transferwise to send all of your transfers FTT. Be aware.

 I recommend you have a backup plan.  

Edited July 4, 2019 by PhonThong

[jackdd]

This has been reported here before.

I also remember that somebody said he contacts Transferwise when doing the transfer, and they will then make sure that it goes directly into his Bangkok bank account, but don't remember the details anymore.

[PhonThong]

2 minutes ago, jackdd said:

This has been reported here before.

I also remember that somebody said he contacts Transferwise when doing the transfer, and they will then make sure that it goes directly into his Bangkok bank account, but don't remember the details anymore.

 I remember hearing the same thing. Not sure how you do that. But, the fact remains. The damage is done. No way to fix it. Just glad I have a 2nd option. 

[scubascuba3]

 I remember hearing the same thing. Not sure how you do that. But, the fact remains. The damage is done. No way to fix it. Just glad I have a 2nd option. 

Previously you could email them and request a local partner of choice, they emailed me to say they can't do that, i don't blame them as its a manual process.

 

It's good you posted your experience, some people are convinced they will all be Intl if Bangkok Bank is used

 

[PhonThong]

17 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Previously you could email them and request a local partner of choice, they emailed me to say they can't do that, i don't blame them as its a manual process.

 

It's good you posted your experience, some people are convinced they will all be Intl if Bangkok Bank is used

 

In all fairness, I was one that defended the idea that Bangkok Bank was a sure bet. Needless to say, I have changed my tune.

[racyrick]

The other thread that has extensive info is called-TransferWise International Transfers Heads Up

 

It is listed on the main page and in the Visa Forum

[arithai12]

2 hours ago, PhonThong said:

In all fairness, I was one that defended the idea that Bangkok Bank was a sure bet. Needless to say, I have changed my tune.

What has this got to do with BKB? They are on the receiving end.

Probably the issue lies with TW.

[Matzzon]

4 minutes ago, arithai12 said:

What has this got to do with BKB? They are on the receiving end.

Probably the issue lies with TW.

It has nothing to do with BKB. The problem is that people using Transferwise as a method of tansfer of the 65K needed, could rely on Transferwise to show as an International Transfer before. Now they seem to use another thai bank as middle hand, which makes the transfer to a person with account in BKB domestic instead.

[sometimewoodworker]

21 hours ago, PhonThong said:

Just fair warning to those that are depending on Transferwise to send all of your transfers FTT.

TransferWise have always stated that the transfers are domestic both from your foreign account and into your Thai account, that is one of the reasons why the fees are so low, there has been the luck that transfers into Bangkok Bank accounts often/usually show as FTT. 

 

When and if TransferWise starts advertising international transfers into Thailand (probably at extra cost) then you will have a legitimate complaint if they don't show as FTT.

 

Until then there is no legitimate complaint if TW pays your transfer as domestic.

[featography]

19 hours ago, Matzzon said:

It has nothing to do with BKB. The problem is that people using Transferwise as a method of tansfer of the 65K needed, could rely on Transferwise to show as an International Transfer before. Now they seem to use another thai bank as middle hand, which makes the transfer to a person with account in BKB domestic instead.

I just did my 9th transfer thru TransferWise and every one of them posts as a FTT. I have had conversations  before with TW personnel and can share that they have always used 3 banks in Thailand, Bangkok Bank, TMB and BBL. Everyone that I have interacted with in Thailand that has transfers post as in country transfers were using TMB or BBL banks. For those folks as well as us Bangkok Bank account holders, can go on to TW site and print every transaction done, and with a printout of home bank deposits and transfers, I am confident it will fly. I extend my visa in November, so I will be putting this to the test. 

[misterphil]

When i use Transferwise from the UK to my Kasikorn statement says DUMMY BRANCH with a 3 letter and 5 number code MCL12345 for example.

 

You can print a PDF receipt from the Transferwise app and it shows the money came from a UK account and has been sent to my Kasikorn account with the account number. 

 

It also says it was delivered via a local bank transfer and the partner bank is TMB (THB)

Edited July 5, 2019 by misterphil
Update

[Jumbo1968]

When you transfer money from the UK it doesn’t leave the UK, Transferwise have facilities here in Thailand and many other countries who they use too transfer the money ‘locally’

[Matzzon]

19 minutes ago, featography said:

I just did my 9th transfer thru TransferWise and every one of them posts as a FTT. I have had conversations  before with TW personnel and can share that they have always used 3 banks in Thailand, Bangkok Bank, TMB and BBL. Everyone that I have interacted with in Thailand that has transfers post as in country transfers were using TMB or BBL banks. For those folks as well as us Bangkok Bank account holders, can go on to TW site and print every transaction done, and with a printout of home bank deposits and transfers, I am confident it will fly. I extend my visa in November, so I will be putting this to the test. 

That will probably work, as long as you can provide the truth in form of evidence, which your copy of transactions through TW must be.

[scubascuba3]

When i use Transferwise from the UK to my Kasikorn statement says DUMMY BRANCH with a 3 letter and 5 number code MCL12345 for example.
 
You can print a PDF receipt from the Transferwise app and it shows the money came from a UK account and has been sent to my Kasikorn account with the account number. 
 
It also says it was delivered via a local bank transfer and the partner bank is TMB (THB)

Doesn't mean immigration will accept that. There has been many threads on it

[lopburi3]

28 minutes ago, featography said:

I just did my 9th transfer thru TransferWise and every one of them posts as a FTT.

In July?  Every report for transfer this month that I have seen reports they now appear as SMART transfers and not international for Bangkok Bank and Transferwise confirmed that they were using a new system so not to expect any change back to old system.  So if the SMART transfers are not accepted for income proof a lot of people will have issues, including myself.

[Moonlover]

22 hours ago, PhonThong said:

 I remember hearing the same thing. Not sure how you do that. But, the fact remains. The damage is done. No way to fix it. Just glad I have a 2nd option. 

What damage. None of my T/W deposits to Krungsri show up as foreign remittances.

 

Simple answer. Download the T/W transaction slip and staple to bank statement. Absolute proof of a deposit from abroad.

[sometimewoodworker]

I greatly doubt that immigration will accept anything other than monthly transfers totalling 65k+ or 40k+ (amount depending on your extension) all coded as international by your bank.

 

While it would certainly be nice if immigration were to consider some other information, don't hold your breath, they probably will not.

 

you had better have a backup plan in place.

[Jumbo1968]

Just show your Bank Statement from where you transferred the money to TransferWise and the TransferWise Statement.

[sometimewoodworker]

2 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

What damage. None of my T/W deposits to Krungsri show up as foreign remittances.

 

Simple answer. Download the T/W transaction slip and staple to bank statement. Absolute proof of a deposit from abroad.

55555 

 

Good luck with that.

 

Do please let us know if it works.

 

 

[lopburi3]

1 minute ago, Moonlover said:

Simple answer. Download the T/W transaction slip and staple to bank statement. Absolute proof of a deposit from abroad.

Unless accepted by Bangkok Bank to write letter or immigration accepts it is not worth one iota however.  Hopefully it will be.

[misterphil]

10 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

36 minutes ago, misterphil said:

When i use Transferwise from the UK to my Kasikorn statement says DUMMY BRANCH with a 3 letter and 5 number code MCL12345 for example.
 
You can print a PDF receipt from the Transferwise app and it shows the money came from a UK account and has been sent to my Kasikorn account with the account number. 
 
It also says it was delivered via a local bank transfer and the partner bank is TMB (THB)

Doesn't mean immigration will accept that. There has been many threads on it

Has it been tried?

 

Prove it has and prove it hasnt. 

[Pib]

1 minute ago, Moonlover said:

What damage. None of my T/W deposits to Krungsri show up as foreign remittances.

 

Simple answer. Download the T/W transaction slip and staple to bank statement. Absolute proof of a deposit from abroad.

But those Transferwise PDF receipts (easily forged) are not "Thai bank documents" required by the immigration police order/guidance.

[chilly07]

TransferWise will set up a specific recipient only using Bangkok Bank if you ask them which always shows as a FTT and then Bangkok Bank will give you a Credit Advice confirming this. Has worked for me for the last 12 transfers. But you need to ask them to specifically set up the recipient for you.

[Black arab]

8 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

In July?  Every report for transfer this month that I have seen reports they now appear as SMART transfers and not international for Bangkok Bank and Transferwise confirmed that they were using a new system so not to expect any change back to old system.  So if the SMART transfers are not accepted for income proof a lot of people will have issues, including myself.

I had this "smart" for my july  transfer, i went to immigrstion this am to make my yesrly ext the female imm officer quereied it but let it pass after i showed her the pdf transfer reciept from TW. I presime all will be ok during under considerstion period. This was at chaiyaphum imm which is moving this month to the main police stn in chaiyaphum city.

[lopburi3]

3 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

TransferWise will set up a specific recipient only using Bangkok Bank if you ask them which always shows as a FTT and then Bangkok Bank will give you a Credit Advice confirming this. Has worked for me for the last 12 transfers. But you need to ask them to specifically set up the recipient for you.

Things appear to have changed - Bangkok Bank deposits do not seem to be coded FTT anymore and what has worked previously is no guarantee in any case; as immigration has been asked to be liberal this year.  It is next year that many of us have to be concerned with.

[stevenl]

48 minutes ago, featography said:

I just did my 9th transfer thru TransferWise and every one of them posts as a FTT. I have had conversations  before with TW personnel and can share that they have always used 3 banks in Thailand, Bangkok Bank, TMB and BBL. Everyone that I have interacted with in Thailand that has transfers post as in country transfers were using TMB or BBL banks. For those folks as well as us Bangkok Bank account holders, can go on to TW site and print every transaction done, and with a printout of home bank deposits and transfers, I am confident it will fly. I extend my visa in November, so I will be putting this to the test. 

BBl = Bangkok Bank.

Maybe you mean Kasikorn?

[AAArdvark]

8 minutes ago, Black arab said:

 

 

12 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

TransferWise will set up a specific recipient only using Bangkok Bank if you ask them which always shows as a FTT and then Bangkok Bank will give you a Credit Advice confirming this. Has worked for me for the last 12 transfers. But you need to ask them to specifically set up the recipient for you.

Not anymore.  I just spoke with TW.  They have changed the way they code things and will not change it again.  They claim it is to make things faster and cheaper.  According to TW, you will no longer get FTT coding.  I explained out situation here and they did not seem to care.

As far as downloading statements from TW for immigration, I have no experience with that or it will actually make a difference.

[wgdanson]

28 minutes ago, misterphil said:

Has it been tried?

 

Prove it has and prove it hasnt. 

My Transferwise two days ago was sent to Bangkok Bank via Kasikorn and shows as a SMT transfer as opposed to FTT as previous six transfers.

Just been into Phitsanulok Immigration and showed them the papers from T'wise, money leaving UK on 3rd and 65k into my Bkk Bank on 4th. They said all OK, accepted.

Edited July 5, 2019 by wgdanson

[lopburi3]

25 minutes ago, Pib said:

But those Transferwise PDF receipts (easily forged) are not "Thai bank documents" required by the immigration police order/guidance.

But they could easily call us on that if suspected and require download at special desk as proof positive.  Having that known as a possibility believe would stop most. 

[Pib]

10 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

But they could easily call us on that if suspected and require download at special desk as proof positive.  Having that known as a possibility believe would stop most. 

I seriously, seriously, seriously doubt they are going to say logon to your Transferwise account from the immigration computer in corner so the immigration officer can confirm/compare.   Maybe do that also for some one wanting to proof they did do a SWIFT transfer from their home country bank but it didn't get coded as such on the Thai end.  Etc....etc....etc.

 

I figure immigration offices are either going to accept foreign docs or not accept them.   There will no "can you logon to your account in the home country while I look over your should so I can personally confirm the docs are not fake/modified.