DeeMoney Terrible Service. Alternatives?

The Revolut idea has a workaround but it's clunky. You can open a multi-currency account with a Thai bank like Kasikorn or SCB, then use their app to convert and send. Kasikorn charges 200 baht for outgoing SWIFT plus their rate, which is about 1% off the mid-rate. The whole thing takes 2-3 business days.

If you're sending regularly, look at InstaReM or TransferWise. I've used TransferWise for London transfers and it's 0.5% fee, arrives in 1-2 days. DeeMoney used to be good but their support went downhill after they expanded too fast.

For Bangkok Bank specifically, their SWIFT fee is 300 baht but the exchange rate is usually 0.7-1% worse than what you'd get on TransferWise. On a 50,000 baht transfer that's about 350-500 baht extra you're losing.

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Wise is the obvious pick and most people here have mentioned it, but one thing nobody has said is that you can actually link your Wise account directly to a PromptPay QR code at some Thai bank branches. If you go to a Kasikorn branch with your Wise account details, they can set it up so you scan a QR in the Wise app and the money moves same-day. It bypasses the slow SWIFT system entirely.

For Bangkok Bank, their standard SWIFT fee is 300 baht but the real killer is they give you a rate about 0.8% below the mid-market. On a 100,000 baht transfer that's roughly 800 baht you lose to their spread alone. DeeMoney used to be better than that but you're right, they've fallen apart.

Your Revolut idea has a catch. You can't add baht to Revolut directly. You'd need to send the money from a Thai bank to your Revolut GBP account via SWIFT, which takes just as long as any other transfer. But if you use Wise to get the money to your Revolut GBP account first, then convert inside Revolut, you avoid the double conversion issue since both use near market rates.

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I've had the same experience with DeeMoney, it's frustrating. For Bangkok Bank, the SWIFT fee is 300 baht for outgoing transfers, plus they take a cut on the exchange rate that's usually about 0.5-1% worse than the mid-market rate. If you're sending larger amounts, that spread really adds up.

Your Revolut idea won't work directly because you can't deposit GBP into a UK account from a Thai bank account through Revolut's app. You'd need to send the money from a Thai bank to your Revolut GBP account, but that's still a standard SWIFT transfer with the same fees and delays.

I'd recommend checking out Azimo or WorldRemit for UK transfers. They're usually 1-2 business days and the exchange rates are better than the banks. Just make sure you send in GBP rather than baht to avoid double conversion fees.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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