Bank of Thailand Tightens Checks on Cash Transactions of 5 Million Baht or More

From November 1, 2026, the Bank of Thailand requires commercial banks to apply enhanced due diligence to cash-related transactions of 5 million baht or more carried out in a single day, under BOT Notification No. 57/2026. The rule covers same-day cash deposits at branches, exchanges of Thai banknotes, purchases of cheques or drafts, foreign currency exchange, and payments for insurance, investment products or derivatives. The central bank says the measure is meant to curb money laundering and fraud tied to so-called “grey capital,” and does not apply to electronic transactions.

For a qualifying transaction, a bank may ask where the money came from, why it is being moved and what it will be used for, along with updated identification and customer information and documents supporting the transaction — a sale agreement or invoice, for example. Banks that spot unusual activity, or activity inconsistent with a customer’s normal pattern, must report it to the Bank of Thailand. If a customer cannot give a satisfactory explanation or the supporting paperwork, the bank may decline that specific transaction; this does not mean the account itself is frozen or closed. Anyone planning a large cash transaction, including for a property purchase, is advised to contact their bank in advance rather than arrive at a branch with the cash in hand.