Anyone know of an alternative to Western Union?

[Guest Motel69]

Preferably an online alternative. I'd like to send a little cash to someone in Thailand on Thursday.

 

Thanks for any help.

[Guest jimnbkk]

Try Moneygram.  www.moneygram.com.  I use it and it's fast, safe, and not too expensive.  I use it online for sending money to Philippines mostly.  The recipient has to go to a moneygram-cooperating bank to redeem the money.  I believe they're still here although have not used them lately.  The banks that work Moneygram have a red sign in the window in front. 

[Rogie]

I agree with Jimnbkk. MoneyGram works very well, I have used it to send money to Thailand and some other countries and never had a problem. Always worthwhile to remind the person you are sending the money to take his ID. That shouldn't be a problem as I think all Thais carry their ID badge most if not all of the time. Once I have sent the money I usually send the recipient the transaction reference number by sms, with a back-up email just in case the sms doesn't get through for some reason. 

 

Ah, just re-read the OP and see an on-line method preferred. I'll check that out.

 

Later: Having checked the MoneyGram website I cannot see any reference to sending the money on-line. Jmnbkk says he has done this, so I am puzzled. 

 

Even later: Having read Koko's post (below) I went back and typed in the web address and saw a prominent banner alerting me to the 'new' on line option. I'm not sure why I missed that earlier, even though I clicked on the link in post # 2 above.

[kokopelli]

Yes, MoneyGram is much better than Western Union. There are three options to send money.

There are MoneyGram stations in many retail stores such as CVS Pharmacy in the USA. Just pick up the red phone, and follow the menu. Or go on-line, register and send money by having it deducted from your bank account or by using a credit card. Cost depends on the method used. If on-line and deducted from your bank account about $10/$200-$300 sent and takes about 3 business days. If put on a credit card it will be sent in an hour but much more expensive. Easiest is to do in person at the MoneyGram outlet paying with cash at the check out counter. About $12/$200-$300. Transmission is within the hour. Payout is most often at TMB, Thai Military Bank and sometimes at Siam Commercial Bank depending on location.

[Guest Motel69]

Hey, thanks, everyone!

[Guest joseph44]

Another one is Paypal.

You open a Paypal account and link it to your credit card or bank account

The other side opens a paypal account and connects it to his her bank-account.

Cost for transfer is approx. 4% (not included possible cc-charges).

 

Of course, MoneyGram or Western Union are better for single payments but pretty exp.

[Guest thaiworthy]

It's free to send money in the U.S. to friends and family when you use your PayPal balance or bank account. Fees apply when you use a debit or credit card, or the payment is international. In most cases, the sender decides who pays these fees.

[TotallyOz]

I love Kasikorn Bank's online system. It is very easy and can be done online around the world. I use it weekly and have never had a problem. If you are a frequent traveler to Thailand, I suggest you get a bank account here.

 

You can also fund this with your paypal account, wire transfer, etc.

 

You can send money to your friend in Thailand no matter what bank they use.

 

The cost is negligible compared to the ways discussed.

[kokopelli]

although I have an account with Kasikorn how do I transfer money to anyone else? I am assuming that internet banking is only available to those who have retirement status in Thailand and not a frequent flyer.

[Bob]

although I have an account with Kasikorn how do I transfer money to anyone else? I am assuming that internet banking is only available to those who have retirement status in Thailand and not a frequent flyer.

 

I'm somewhat guessing you're wondering how you do an online transfer from your Thai Kasikorn bank to either (1) somebody else's account at Kasikorn or (2) to just a person or to an account owned by somebody else that's not at Kasikorn.

 

I have accounts at SCB so Kasikorn might be different.  I don't believe you can accomplish item #2 above.  As for item #1, you first need to "link" the other Kasikorn account with your account and then you can transfer funds online (there's a daily limit) from your account to the other account with a few clicks of your mouse. 

 

As to your assumption about internet banking only being available to somebody with a retirement visa, all I can tell you is I've used internet banking at SCB since about 2002 and didn't get a retirement visa until 3-4 years ago (before that, was just here on vacation for 2-3 weeks at a time). 

[TotallyOz]

You can simply ask the bank to allow the Internet Banking. Some branches will do it and others will not. I went to one and they said no, I went to another and they said yes.

 

For other banks transfers, it is the same. In the Online part, you add an account for another bank account and set it up and then you do it instantly like the K Bank transfers.

[williewillie]

Koko suggested moneygram to me recently and I have used it twice to send money to a Thai guy living in his village up north.

I used the economy system which costs $10. for smaller amounts and $20. for larger amounts.  It takes 3 business days and

is taken out of your checking account.

I will set up a K-Bank account this year but for now, moneygram works just fine if you can handle a few days transaction time.

[Guest]

The 4% for Paypal has to be one of the cheapest ways of sending small sums of money abroad.

[kokopelli]

How does the receiver in Thailand receive funds sent via PayPal?

[TotallyOz]

How does the receiver in Thailand receive funds sent via PayPal?

My Boyfriend has it own paypal account. This account is linked to his bank account. When I send him money that way, he withdraws it. That takes about 7 days for it to show up in his account.

 

I have been told that Paypal does not give debit cards to anyone from Thailand.

 

However, one could get a paypal card and give to their boyfriend. I also did that at one point. But, to withdraw from it was more expensive than using my K Bank account and thus why I started using that instead of Paypal.