TrueMoney Wallet for Foreigners: A Complete Guide to Using the App in Thailand

TrueMoney Wallet is an essential tool for making payments in Thailand. QR code payments are widely used across the country. Typically, you'll either scan a merchant's QR code or have them scan your barcode. TrueMoney is one of the most common QR payment providers, alongside options such as PromptPay and LINE Pay. As a result, setting up a TrueMoney account can be an important part of moving to Thailand.

This guide covers everything you need to know about setting up a TrueMoney account as an expat, along with alternative options for tourists. We'll also introduce Wise, your partner for international spending and a great way to reduce currency conversion fees while abroad.

🚀 Send with Wise

What is the TrueMoney Wallet?

TrueMoney has over 32 million users¹, making it the most widely used e-wallet in Thailand. It can be used for cashless payments across a wide range of everyday expenses, from shopping and dining out to public transport. Popular merchants that accept TrueMoney include 7-Eleven and Grab.

You can use TrueMoney to pay in-store by tapping Pay in the app and showing the cashier your barcode. It can also be used to transfer money directly to another person's bank account through peer-to-peer payments. To do this, select Transfer, then Bank account, and enter the recipient's account details. This service carries a 20 THB fee, and transfers may take up to two hours to appear in the recipient's account.

Can Foreigners Use the TrueMoney Wallet in Thailand?

Foreigners can use TrueMoney, but there are a few limitations to be aware of.

Without a Thai bank account, your top-up options are limited and approval can take up to three business days. Some travellers have also reported difficulties completing verification², which could make for a frustrating experience during a short holiday³.

Also, if you're an expat in Thailand, you'll likely need to open a local bank account anyway and may already hold a work visa, giving you access to more features within the app. To transfer money directly to another person's bank account, you'll also need to submit supporting documents confirming your stay in Thailand. These may include:

• Work-related documents
• Non-immigrant visa
• Student visa
• Thai driving licence

How to Register for the TrueMoney Wallet

Registering for TrueMoney is straightforward⁴:

1. Download the TrueMoney app and click Sign In.
2. Enter your mobile phone number and OTP.
3. Select Non-Thai citizen and Scan passport or pink Thai ID card.
4. Take a selfie with your document.
5. Fill in the visa information requested on-screen.
6. Enter your email address, create a password, and sign on the following screens.
7. Submit your application.

You'll receive confirmation within one to three business days. Once approved, you can log in and start using your TrueMoney Wallet.

Do not process any transactions before receiving approval. Until your account has been fully set up, funds sent to the account may not reach you.

How to Top Up Your TrueMoney Wallet

There are several ways to top up your TrueMoney Wallet. These include merchant locations such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart⁵, ATMs, internet banking, and TrueMoney or Boonterm kiosks. If you have a K Bank account, you can also link it directly to TrueMoney.

Top-ups are free in most cases, except when using a TrueMoney kiosk. You can hold up to 30,000 THB in your account.

How to Use TrueMoney Wallet in Thailand

When paying with TrueMoney Wallet, you can either scan the merchant's QR code or have the merchant scan your barcode⁷.

To pay by scanning a QR code, open the app and tap the Scan icon. Scan the barcode shown on the bill, check that the payment details are correct, and choose your preferred funding source. Then tap Confirm and enter your OTP to complete the payment.

Sending Money Overseas with TrueMoney

TrueMoney also supports overseas transfers to more than 40 countries⁸.

Although not every payout method is available in every country, TrueMoney supports transfers to bank accounts, e-wallets, and cash pick-up locations. If you have a specific payout method in mind, make sure it's available in your destination country before sending.

TrueMoney charges a flat fee of either 99 THB or 199 THB. However, additional costs may also be built into the exchange rate. This is known as an exchange rate markup, where a financial institution buys foreign currency at one price and sells it at a higher rate, keeping the difference as profit.

For consumers, this means currency conversions can be more expensive than they appear, even when the transfer fee looks low.

To send money overseas with TrueMoney:

1. Select Overseas Transfer.
2. Choose your destination country.
3. Select the receiving method and destination account type.
4. Enter the amount*.
5. Provide your information and the recipient's details.
6. Confirm the transaction and source of funds.

How to Pay in Thailand Using the Wise App (via Alipay+)

If you don't have the TrueMoney app, you can still make QR code payments in Thailand using Wise. Through its integration with Alipay+, Wise allows eligible customers to scan and pay using local QR codes wherever the Alipay+ logo is accepted.

This feature is currently available to Wise customers residing in Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

To make a payment with Wise:

1. Open the Wise app and tap the Scan button.
2. Alternatively, go to the Card tab.
3. Swipe left to view your Wise card.
4. Select Scan QR code to use your camera, or Import QR code if you've already saved an image of the QR code.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your payment.
6. To check the status of your transaction, return to the Wise app homepage.

One of the main benefits of using Wise is access to the mid-market exchange rate – the same rate you'll typically find on Google. Rather than building extra costs into the exchange rate, Wise charges a transparent fee upfront. This can help reduce the overall cost of spending abroad and makes it easier to see exactly what you're paying for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TrueMoney safe?

TrueMoney is a safe way to make transactions in Thailand while helping keep your data secure.

Can I transfer money from TrueMoney to a bank account?

Yes, you can transfer money from TrueMoney to a bank account⁹:

1. Tap Transfer and then Transfer to Bank account.
2. Select the destination bank and enter the account number.
3. Enter the amount.
4. Accept the terms and conditions.
5. Confirm the details and select Transfer to Bank.
6. Enter your PIN.

The process is straightforward, but it's worth remembering that each transfer to a bank account carries a 20 THB fee.

Convert and send THB with low, transparent fees and the mid-market rate with Wise

Looking for a quick and easy way to send money to Thailand? Consider using Wise to manage your international transfers.

Converting money to Thai baht and transferring it from abroad can get very expensive when using traditional banks and remittance services. On top of transaction fees, you might end up paying more due to hidden charges like conversion fees and exchange rate markups.

Wise transfers use the mid-market rate, also known as the rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees that are shown to you upfront. This makes it easy to see how much you’ll be sending or receiving at a single glance.

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