Enjoy Higher Limits and Send More to Thailand with Mama Money
Some transfers to Thailand are routine. A monthly amount for parents. A small contribution to a family event. The standard sending limits cover these without a thought.
Other transfers are bigger. A semester of university fees in Bangkok. Support for a parent's medical care. A top-up for the family business or a property payment in Phuket. When the amount goes up, the question becomes: how much can I actually send through Mama Money, and is it good value? This guide answers both, in plain numbers.
When you need to send more to Thailand
The standard Mama Money limit of R25,000 per month works well for routine support. But for many Thai professionals and business owners in South Africa, real life sometimes asks for more. Here are the moments customers usually need to send above the standard cap.
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University fees
A term or semester at a Thai university paid in one transfer.
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Medical care
An unexpected hospital bill or a planned procedure for a parent.
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Business support
A cash injection for a family business, restaurant, or supplier.
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Property
A deposit, a rental payment, or a contribution to a family home.
For all of these, Mama Money has a higher-limit tier you can upgrade to in the app. New to Mama Money? Start with our step-by-step guide to sending money to Thailand first, then come back here when you are ready to scale up.
The two limit tiers at a glance
Every Mama Money account starts at Standard limits. When you need to send more, you can upgrade to Higher Limits with a few extra documents.
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Standard registration
No upgrade needed
Send up to R25,000 per day and R25,000 per month. Great for routine support. You just need an ID document (passport, foreign ID, SA ID, or asylum or refugee document) and a selfie.
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Higher limit registration
For frequent and larger senders
Send more. The exact ceiling depends on your ID type. South African ID holders unlock up to R50,000 per day and R100,000 per month. Non-SA ID holders unlock up to R25,000 per day and up to 75% of their proved income per month.
For most Thai expats with a passport or work permit, the Higher Limit tier means R25,000 per day and up to 75% of your monthly income per month, once verified. So if your monthly income is R80,000, you could send up to R60,000 per month. See the full breakdown on the Mama Money limits page.
How to upgrade your account
Three simple steps from inside the Mama Money app. You do not need to fill out a form on a website or visit an agent.
1
Tap "Increase Limits" in the app
You will find it in your account settings. The app walks you through what you need.
2
Upload your documents
SA ID holders add a Proof of Address (bank statement, lease, utility bill, or similar, not older than six months). Non-SA ID holders add a Proof of Permit (passport holders only) and a Proof of Income (a payslip or three months of bank statements). Asylum or refugee documents don't need a Proof of Permit.
3
Wait for your SMS
Mama Money reviews the documents, then sends you an SMS to confirm your new limit. Your account is upgraded as soon as the SMS arrives.
Here is a detail that often goes unnoticed. Mama Money's fee for Thailand is 5%, capped at R250. That cap matters more than the percentage when you send larger amounts. It means the effective rate falls sharply as the transfer goes up.
You send
Mama fee
Effective rate
R5,000
R250
5.0%
R10,000
R250
2.5%
R25,000
R250
1.0%
R50,000
R250
0.5%
R100,000
R250
0.25%
The takeaway
The bigger you send, the less you pay per rand.
A R100,000 transfer to Thailand costs the same R250 in fees as a R5,000 transfer. That is a 0.25% effective rate, well below what most banks and remittance services charge for cross-border transfers of this size. More of your money reaches Thailand. None of it gets eaten on the way.
The exchange rate matters too. Pair the cap with a strong ZAR to THB rate and you keep more value end to end. Watch the rate in the app and see our guide to the best time to send to Thailand.
What to know before sending a larger amount
Sending more means trust matters more. A few simple habits keep large transfers smooth.
Confirm the Thai bank name carefully. Mama Money pays direct into all major Thai banks, including Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, Krung Thai Bank, and Siam Commercial Bank. Pick the right one from the list.
Double-check the account number. One wrong digit can hold up the transfer or send the money to the wrong account.
Match the full legal name. The recipient's name should match the bank record exactly. A spelling difference can trigger a compliance check.
Plan around Thai banking hours and public holidays. Most transfers arrive within 24 hours, but outside Thai banking hours or on a holiday, processing can carry over to the next working day. Average arrival is around 5 hours, up to 48 hours.
Watch the rate. A stronger ZAR to THB rate can mean more value at the other end. See the rate guide.
Sending a large amount for the first time? See our safety guide for the full checklist.
Your questions about sending more to Thailand, answered
What is the maximum I can send to Thailand with Mama Money?
It depends on your registration. Standard accounts send up to R25,000 per day and R25,000 per month. SA ID holders who upgrade can send up to R50,000 per day and R100,000 per month. Non-SA ID holders who upgrade can send up to R25,000 per day and up to 75% of their proved monthly income per month.
Can I upgrade my limit with a Thai passport?
Yes. You will need a Proof of Permit (your work or study permit) and a Proof of Income (a payslip or three months of bank statements). The exact limit depends on your verified income. Apply through the "Increase Limits" button in the app.
How long does the upgrade take?
Once you submit your documents in the app, Mama Money reviews them and sends you an SMS to confirm the upgrade. The exact time depends on demand and document clarity. Clear, legible documents speed things up.
What documents qualify as Proof of Address?
A bank statement, a lease or rental agreement, a TV licence, a municipal rates statement, an insurance statement, a retail account statement, a mortgage statement, a utility bill, or a stamped letter from a councillor or traditional authority. The document must show your name and residential address, and be no older than six months. (For SA ID holders only. Non-SA ID holders need Proof of Income instead.)
What does sending R100,000 to Thailand cost?
The Mama Money fee is 5%, capped at R250. So sending R100,000 to Thailand costs R250 in fees. That works out to an effective rate of 0.25%. The exchange rate also affects the amount your recipient receives, and you will see both in the app before you confirm.
How long does a transfer to Thailand take?
Most transfers arrive within 24 hours. The average is around 5 hours, and they can take up to 48 hours depending on Thai banking hours, the receiving bank, and public holidays.
Is sending larger amounts to Thailand safe?
Yes. Every Mama Money transfer to Thailand goes through regulated banking partners, not informal agents. Mama Money is licensed by the South African Reserve Bank and ISO 9001 certified. See our full safety guide.
Send more. Pay less per rand.
The Mama Money fee for Thailand is capped at R250, so the bigger you send, the better the value. Upgrade your account and send up to R100,000 a month. Mama makes it happen.
