Can I invest in Microsoft, XioMi with THB from Thailand?

[Cheesekraft]

Don't have a brokerage account set up; would it be possible to purchase some stock shares from thai banks?

[WorkingTourist]

XiaoMi is a privately held company (so not traded on the stock exchanges) and Microsoft is traded in USD, so any purchase of MSFT shares will start with a currency conversion.

Whether you can do it via your Thai bank depends on which bank you have, and might further depend on your nationality and visa status. You should ask your bank, but it’s probably easier to sign up with an online broker, of which there are a lot.

There is also the option of opening an account with a non-Thai (investment) bank, the advantage here is that they are more geared to English speaking investors that deal with multiple currencies and purchase of stocks, bonds, and precious metals. This can often be setup without having to visit the branch.

[fletchsmile]

No. Thai banks don't offer services to purchase foreign shares.

Certain brokers, eg Phatra offer the facility to trade foreign exchanges. You may find the fees to be higher than brokers in US, UK etc.

Trading US shares on US exchanges also needs to be done in USD not THB. So you'd have to convert your THB to USD.

Generally, Thailand isn't a particularly useful place to keep your USD, as rates are poor, and if held at a bank they are not covered by the Deposit Protection Act (DPA)

So in all likelihood for most non-Thais who have access to financial institutions outside Thailand, you'd be better off outside Thailand.

For a Thai, it may be easier for them and more convenient to set up in their home country. So this is really the market Thai brokers are targeting for their business for now with their services

Cheers

Fletch

[Time Traveller]

Just to clarify one minor point. Banks are not brokerages. There is a law against banks from acting as brokers. But there are a number of Thai brokers that offer trading in foreign exchanges. As mentioned their brokerage rates are usually higher than the equivalent in the US and you also may be required to pay monthly custodian fees for holding the stocks as well.

Apparently, the main members of the SET offer these services. However, you may need to ask around to find a broker that isn't totally clueless in regards to foreign share trading.

Edited February 12, 2015 by Time Traveller

[yellowboat]

Remember hearing of an online service called Asia 1. There office was at the Exchange Building on the corner of Asoke and Sukhimvit. Heard they take from any nationality, even American's

[JacChang]

I tried buying 'stocks on foreign exchanges' from Phatra platform. Only for them to tell me, only for Thais.

[Jaggg88]

Remember hearing of an online service called Asia 1. There office was at the Exchange Building on the corner of Asoke and Sukhimvit. Heard they take from any nationality, even American's

Even Americans?

[Cheesekraft]

Remember hearing of an online service called Asia 1. There office was at the Exchange Building on the corner of Asoke and Sukhimvit. Heard they take from any nationality, even American's

Even Americans?

yes, lots of places exclude americans because of the insane banking regulations, and it is definitely more difficult for a US citizen than others to bank or do business online.