ID and Cash Limits for Buying Gold in Thailand
Thai gold shops must report to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) any transaction paid in cash of 2 million baht or more, plus any suspicious transaction. There is no legal cap on cash yet, but the Bank of Thailand plans to limit cash for gold bars at shops to between 1 and 10 million baht per person per day. Its draft went out for consultation in July–August 2026, and no final rule or date had been set by October 2026.
Facts checked 31 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| Situation | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buying | No published ID threshold for retail buyers. | Larger cash deals are reported, and shops must check customers under AML rules. |
| Paying cash | No legal cap as of October 2026. | Draft BOT rule: cash for gold bars capped at ฿1–10 million per person per day per shop. Above that, electronic transfer from your own verified account. |
| Selling | Cash buy-backs aren't capped either. | The planned cash cap covers gold bars both bought and sold at shop counters. |
| Reported | Cash of 2 million baht or more to AMLO. | In January 2026 the government asked AMLO to consider a lower threshold; no new figure has been adopted. |
The rules in detail
- Gold shops are covered by the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Under the 2011 ministerial regulation (Section 16 businesses), they must report cash transactions of 2 million baht or more to AMLO.
- In January 2026 the Prime Minister directed AMLO to tighten gold reporting and consider lowering the 2 million baht threshold. Figures from 100,000 baht to 1 million baht were floated, but any change needs Cabinet approval and no new rule had been reported as of October 2026.
- The Bank of Thailand's draft (consultation 22 July – 20 August 2026) would let shops take or pay cash for gold bars only up to a limit between 1 and 10 million baht per customer per day per shop or branch. Larger amounts would have to go by electronic transfer from an account that has passed the bank's identity checks. The cap starts on a date the BOT sets in the final rule.
- Online gold platforms settled in baht have had stricter rules since 1 March 2026: no more than 50 million baht per person per platform, electronic payment only, no paying from someone else's account, and the buyer must collect the gold in person. These don't apply to ordinary gold shops.
When you sell
- A shop paying you 2 million baht or more in cash makes the deal reportable to AMLO.
- From 8 October 2026, banks must ask for supporting documents for foreign-exchange transactions linked to gold, whatever the amount.
Silver and travel
- The AMLO gold-shop rules and the BOT plans are framed around gold; we couldn't confirm how they treat silver.
- Foreign currency over US$15,000 must be declared to Customs at the border.
Gold ID and Cash Limits in Thailand: FAQ
Is there a cash limit for buying gold in Thailand?
Not yet. The Bank of Thailand consulted in July–August 2026 on capping cash for gold bars at shops at between 1 and 10 million baht per person per day, but no final rule or start date had been set by October 2026.
When does a Thai gold shop report a purchase to AMLO?
When the payment is in cash of 2 million baht or more, or when the transaction looks suspicious. The government has asked AMLO to consider a lower threshold.
Are online gold apps treated differently?
Yes. Since 1 March 2026, baht-settled gold platforms are limited to 50 million baht per person per platform, must take electronic payment from your own account, and you must collect the gold yourself.
Sources (6)
- Daily News: AMLO weighs lower gold-shop reporting threshold (Jan 2026)
- Bank of Thailand: measures to safeguard the financial system
- Pattaya Mail: draft cash limits for gold deals (July 2026)
- Thairath: online gold platform rules from 1 March 2026
- The Nation: BOT tightens checks on gold transactions (Oct 2026)
- Bangkok Post: gold deals over 2 million baht reported to AMLO
General information for individuals buying or selling gold, checked October 2026. Rules change and dealers may ask for more than the legal minimum; check with the dealer or the regulator. Not legal advice.