Frequently questions arise as to the cost of using Western Union to send money to your special friends in Thailand. For the answer, go to their website, www.westernunion.com and click on "prices". You can enter your location and the destination of the funds and the amount and you will get the cost of transfer plus the amount the receiver will get in Thailand.

 

Yet, when in California I have always paid a $11 flat rate for funds transfer regardless of the amount (reasonable amount) but the website quotes a graduated rate beginning at $14/first $100 + $7/ additional $100.

You also have to factor in the exchange rate Western Union gives on the receiving Thai end. It's usually two to three baht lower than the bank rates.

You also have to factor in the exchange rate Western Union gives on the receiving Thai end. It's usually two to three baht lower than the bank rates.

 

The quote given by Western Union, on their website, gives the amount received in Thai Baht and also gives the actual exchange rate . Exchange rate quoted today (15 Dec) was 33.4 Baht/USD.

The quote given by Western Union, on their website, gives the amount received in Thai Baht

If you send money, then to be certain I would suggest looking at their quote and then finding out how much your recipient actually received. Hopefully, the amounts will be the same.

For those not familiar with Western Union, it will be necessary for the sender to notify the receiver (best by email) of the Money Transfer Control Number,MTCN, plus the amount sent in Baht, and name of the receiver as you spelled it and finally your name and city/state/country. It is not necessary to indicate address/city/province of receiver other than THAILAND.

A Filipino on GayRomeo recently told me about:

https://www.xoom.com/sendmoneynow/home

It is US-based and pretty much seems to specialize in transfers to The Philippines, but also to most other South East Asian countries....EXCEPT Thailand for some reason or other. The rates start at $3.50. The procedure is much easier and simpler than with Western Union. You just do it all online using a credit card. They do make a bit on the exchange as well as the fee..but not that much...I have checked the credit card bill. All you need to tell them is the name of the recipient and create a secret password and e-mail it to the boy with the transfer number if he has only one means of photo ID. The transfer is instantaneous and can be collected at a large selection of regular outlets.

 

Have you used this service, jtrack33? Almost to good to be true! I have need to send a sizable amount of $$ to Mexico. Western Union charge is $80 while xzoom is about $5. May I ask where you sent money if you have?