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OFX (previously UKForex in the UK), provides secure and speedy international money transfers to over 300,000 people in 55 currencies at better-than-bank rates
Great exchange rates | Specialist services | No added fees, 24/7 transfers | Safe and secure
Great rates | One-off payments | Regular transfers | E-Money Institution | No fees for FXcompared customers
One-off payments | Regular payments | Great rates | Safeguarded customer funds
Banks are the most expensive way to do an international money transfer, the quotes from the providers above show you the typical savings that can be made. All providers on FXcompared.com are regulated in the UK by the FCA, in the USA by FinCEN, In Canada SSC and Australia, ASIC.
We check all rates regularly and this quote is an actual quote of the average from UK banks for this past month. It includes all major and some smaller banks. Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Co-operative Bank, HSBC UK, Halifax, Lloyds Bank, Monzo, NatWest, Nationwide, Santander GB, Starling Bank- tracked every month. For more information on how the price comparisons are calculated, see our IMTI page.
With its warm climate and low cost of living, Thailand has become a popular destination for expats from all over the world, with the number of foreigners in the country estimated to be anywhere between 500,000 and 1m. The reasons to send money to Thailand are many, but beyond trade, private flows from the UK are dominated by property purchases, pensions, and medical tourism. A 2010 study by a UK think tank, the Institute of Public Policy Research, put the number of UK passport holders residing in Thailand at nearly 46,500, of whom some 2,200 were pensioners who will be sending money to Thailand from the UK to fund their retirement.
In general, non-Thai businesses and citizens are not permitted to own land in Thailand unless the land is on government-approved industrial estates. The 1999 amendment to the Land Code Act permits foreigners investing a minimum of THB40m (around US$1.2m) to buy up to 1,600 sq metres of land for residential use with the permission of the Ministry of Interior. The ministry has the authority to sell the land if it is not used as a residence within two years of the date of acquisition and registration.
Rather than purchasing, many foreign businesses instead sign long-term leases, and then construct buildings on the leased land. Previously, non-Thais were allowed to own up to 100% of a condominium building if the unit was purchased between April 1999 and April 2004, but since 2007, total foreign ownership in a condominium building has been limited to 49% of the total space of all units in the building, except for those purchased between 1999 and 2004. Financing this purchase is not necessarily easy, as many Thai banks will not lend to foreigners. We recommend taking specialist advice if you are looking to purchase any property and before you transfer money to Thailand to pay for the purchase.
Foreigners holding non-immigrant visas who have lived in Thailand for at least three consecutive years may apply for permanent residence in Thailand if they meet strict criteria regarding investment or professional skills.
Thailand in recent years has become one of the top international destinations for overseas medical tourism by revenue and by numbers, particularly for elective procedures, given the country's very developed healthcare system and low costs relative to private care in the US and Europe. Thailands Ministry of Health put the number of medical tourist visits (not the number of unique patients) in 2012 at 2.53m, up from 1.98m in 2010. Of the visits in 2012, 26.6% were medical tourists, 41.4% resident expats, and the rest travellers who did not come specifically for medical procedures. The UK was the third largest single source of patients, after Japan and the US. The Tourism Authority of Thailand puts the number of health and wellness (including spas) tourism trips to Thailand between April 2012 and March 2013 at 858,340, generating earnings of some THB31.12bn (US$997m).
There are nearly 40 institutions in Thailand accredited by Joint Commission International, a US-based body that is the world leader in healthcare accreditation. Bangkoks JCI-accredited Bumrungrad International Hospital, for example, is one of the largest and most respected hospitals in Asia. Savings can be up to around 85% for some procedures.
Non-resident investors are not permitted to hold more than a 25% stake in domestic financial institutions, and no more than a 49% stake in other domestic companies. However, the Bank of Thailand may give permission, in some cases, for greater foreign ownership and the Ministry of Finance can authorise up to100% foreign ownership of some domestic companies. Residents in Thailand are permitted to invest or lend up to US$50m a year to non-affiliated companies. There are no limits on resident lending to affiliated companies.
The Board of Investment (BOI) is Thailand's central investment promotion authority, offering investment incentives uniformly to both qualified domestic and foreign investors. Majority or total foreign ownership is permitted for BOI-approved investment projects in the manufacturing sector; but in agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery, mineral exploration and mining, and service businesses, Thai nationals must hold at least 51% of a companys registered equity
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We welcome all suggestions for improvements. Send us an email at support@fxcompared.com.
All the providers listed are regulated by the relevant authority (e.g. the FCA in the UK, FinCEN in the US, ASIC in Australia) and have been vetted by FXcompared.
FXcompared.com is an fx money comparison site for international money transfer and to compare rates from currency brokers for sending money abroad. The website and the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or advice on any financial service or transaction. None of the information presented is intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no specific recommendations are intended. FXC Group Ltd and FX Compared Ltd does not provide any guarantees of any data from third parties listed on this website. FX compared Ltd expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from (i) any error, omission or inaccuracy in any such information or (ii) any action resulting therefrom.
