Thai exporters and the Bank of Thailand's repatriation rule

A Chonburi auto parts maker ships $1.4 million of components to a buyer in Japan. Because the shipment is above the Bank of Thailand's threshold, the proceeds must come back to Thailand within the set period. Once they do, the company keeps them in a foreign currency deposit account and converts to baht only when it needs to.

The rule

Thailand's foreign exchange rules, administered by the Bank of Thailand (BOT), require exporters to repatriate export proceeds at or above a threshold, set at USD 1 million per transaction, within a set period. Proceeds below the threshold are not subject to the requirement in the same way.

No forced conversion

Older rules required exporters to sell proceeds for baht or deposit them in specific accounts. The BOT has relaxed this: repatriated proceeds can be held in foreign currency deposit (FCD) accounts at Thai banks, and converted when the exporter chooses.

Using foreign currency

Exporters can use foreign currency in FCD accounts for permitted payments, such as imports and services abroad. The BOT has also allowed some netting of receipts and payments. Check current rules before arranging flows.

Why it matters

Exporters with dollar or yen revenue and baht costs carry exchange rate risk. Holding foreign currency and converting a planned amount ahead of payroll and supplier payments gives control over the rate.

Paying into Thailand: the local rail

Source: Bank of Thailand: PromptPay. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens business accounts for registered companies after verification. Thai exporters must repatriate proceeds above the threshold under BOT rules, so check with your bank before receiving funds abroad. Where available, partners abroad who bank with Rivet can pay Thai bank accounts through Rivet's payouts. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.