I've sat at a desk in Rawai, looking at my Wise notification that a £3,200 payment had arrived, thinking: how hard can getting paid be? The answer, when you live in Phuket and your clients are in London and New York, is: harder than it should be, but much easier than it was five years ago.
This guide covers the practical mechanics of invoicing international clients from Phuket — what to put on your invoices, how to receive payment cheaply and quickly, the VAT registration threshold you need to know about, and how the 2024 foreign income rule affects what you report to the Thai Revenue Department. Whether you're a designer, consultant, developer, copywriter, or any other type of freelancer working remotely from Phuket, this covers the reality of getting paid.
📋 Key Facts: Freelance Payments in Phuket
- Best payment platform: Wise (formerly TransferWise) — lowest fees, mid-market rates
- VAT registration threshold: ฿1.8 million/year (~USD 50,000) from a single business activity
- Foreign income rule: Money remitted to Thailand in the same year it was earned is assessable for Thai personal income tax (since Jan 2024)
- SWIFT incoming fee: Most Thai banks charge ฿300–500 per incoming international wire
- Invoice currency: You can invoice in any currency — just state it clearly
- Legal structure matters: Invoicing as an individual vs. through a Thai company has different tax implications
The Phuket Insider — Weekly Tips
Join 5,000+ expats getting our free weekly tips on freelancing, visas, and life in Phuket.
Receiving International Payments in Phuket: Wise vs Bank Wire
The two main options for receiving international client payments in Phuket are Wise and traditional SWIFT bank wires to a Thai bank. Here's how they compare in 2026:
| Method | Typical Fee | Speed | Exchange Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise (receive in USD/EUR/GBP) | 0.3–1.5% of transfer | Instant–24hrs | Mid-market | Most freelancers |
| SWIFT to Thai bank | ฿300–500 incoming + correspondent fees | 2–5 days | Bank spread (1.5–3% worse) | Large one-off transfers |
| PayPal (receive) | 3.49% + fixed fee | Instant | Poor (PayPal spread) | Avoid if possible |
| Stripe (invoicing) | 1.5–2.9% processing | 2–7 days to bank | Mid-market to Wise | Product-based businesses |
| Payoneer | 1–3% | 1–3 days | Mid-market | Marketplace earners |
Why Wise Wins for Most Phuket Freelancers
With Wise, your clients pay into a Wise account number that looks like a local account to them — your UK clients pay into what appears to be a UK bank account, your US clients pay into what looks like a US account. No international wire fees on their end, mid-market exchange rates on yours. You then convert and transfer THB to your Thai bank account (Bangkok Bank, KBank, SCB) when you need cash.
The conversion to THB via Wise typically costs 0.4–0.7% — far cheaper than a Thai bank's spread of 1.5–3%. On a USD 5,000 monthly invoice, that's roughly ฿2,500–5,000 in savings per month compared to SWIFT bank wires. Per year, that's the cost of several very good dinners at the Surin strip.
Don't transfer everything to Thailand immediately. Keep 1–2 months of expenses in Wise and transfer only what you need for monthly Thai costs. This gives you currency flexibility and can help with tax planning under the 2024 foreign income rules.
Open Wise — The Easiest Way to Receive Foreign Payments
Used by thousands of Phuket freelancers and digital nomads. Low fees, fast transfers, holds 50+ currencies.
Open Your Free Wise Account →What a Legal Thai Freelance Invoice Must Include
Whether you're invoicing through a Thai company or as an individual, your invoices should include:
From: [Your Full Name / Company Name]
[Your Thai Address, Phuket, Thailand]
Tax ID: [13-digit Thai TIN] (if applicable)
To: [Client Company Name]
[Client Address]
Invoice Date: 15 April 2026
Due Date: 30 April 2026
Payment Terms: 14 days net
Services:
Website redesign — Q1 2026 ... USD 3,200.00
Monthly maintenance (March 2026) ... USD 400.00
Total: USD 3,600.00
VAT: 0% (Export of Services — VAT Exemption / Zero-rated)
Payment: Wise USD account or bank wire [your details]
Key points: always specify the currency. If you invoice in USD but your client pays in GBP, specify how the exchange rate will be determined. Always include your Thai address and, once you have one, your TIN. The VAT line is important — foreign clients receiving services from Thailand are not subject to Thai 7% VAT (exports are zero-rated or exempt), but noting this on the invoice is professional and avoids confusion.
Thai VAT: When You Need to Register
VAT registration in Thailand becomes mandatory when your annual assessable income from a single business activity exceeds ฿1.8 million (approximately USD 50,000 at 2026 rates). This is per-business, not per client.
For freelancers delivering services entirely to overseas clients (zero-rated exports), the VAT picture is somewhat different:
- Services delivered to Thai clients: 7% VAT applies. Mandatory registration above ฿1.8M/year. You charge clients 7% VAT and remit it to the RD.
- Services delivered to foreign clients (B2B export): Zero-rated at 0%. You can register voluntarily even below the threshold, which lets you reclaim input VAT on your Thai business purchases (office rent, equipment, software).
- Services delivered to foreign clients (B2C): Complex — technically may be subject to Thai VAT depending on the nature of the service. Get advice if this applies to you.
Most freelancers earning below ฿1.8M/year from international clients can ignore VAT entirely and focus on the income tax filing requirements instead. Above that threshold, you'll need to register and file monthly VAT returns (PP.30 form).
As of January 2024, foreign income you remit to Thailand in the same year you earn it is assessable for Thai personal income tax — whether via Wise, bank wire, or any other method. If you earn USD 4,000 in April and transfer it to Thailand in May, it's assessable income for the current tax year. Keep detailed records of all transfers for your annual PND 90 return.
Invoicing Structure: Individual vs. Thai Company
Many Phuket freelancers operate informally as individuals — they invoice under their own name, receive payment to their personal Wise or Thai bank account, and report it on a personal PND 90 tax return. This is the simplest structure and works well for incomes up to around ฿2–3 million/year.
Above that level, or if you want to hire staff, rent a dedicated office, or build more credibility with larger clients, forming a Thai company or using a foreign company structure may make sense. The comparison:
| Structure | Setup Cost | Tax Rate | VAT Registration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (personal tax) | None | Progressive 0–35% | Required above ฿1.8M | Solo freelancers under ฿2M/year |
| Thai company (SME) | ฿40,000–100,000 | 15–20% corporate (SME rates) | Voluntary below ฿1.8M | Growing agencies, hiring staff |
| Foreign company (home country) | Depends on country | Home country rates | Not required for Thai VAT | Expats operating through existing foreign company |
Recommended Invoicing Tools
For managing invoices from Phuket, these tools work well for international freelancers:
- Wave (free): Free invoicing, basic accounting, works well for solo freelancers
- FreshBooks (paid ~USD 15/month): Time tracking, recurring invoices, multi-currency — popular with consultants in Phuket
- Xero (paid ~USD 13/month): Full accounting, good for those with a Thai company who need to report to an accountant
- Simple PDF invoice: Many Phuket freelancers still use a Google Docs template — perfectly acceptable for straightforward situations
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
- Filing your Thai personal income tax return in Phuket
- Thai VAT registration for expat businesses — full guide
- Digital nomad tax obligations in Phuket 2026
- Opening a Thai business bank account
- Freelancing in Phuket — visa, tax, and legal overview
- Working in Phuket hub — visas, business, and tax
- Free Phuket Relocation Checklist
