Getting Thai Baht for Your Trip
Thailand is a fantastic destination for travellers, and managing your money there is straightforward once you know the system. The Thai Baht (฿ or THB) is the local currency, and while Thailand has become more card-friendly in recent years, cash remains king for most everyday transactions.
The good news is that Thailand offers some of the best exchange rates in Asia. Unlike many countries where you should exchange before you travel, Thailand's competitive exchange market means you'll often get better rates after arrival - particularly at specialist bureaux like SuperRich.
Key insight for 2026: the 220 THB ATM fee that most guides quote is out of date at the two banks we checked. Krungsri and Kasikornbank now take 250 THB from a foreign Visa card and 350 THB from a foreign Mastercard on every withdrawal, so fewer, larger withdrawals keep the cost down. Multi-currency cards like Wise and Revolut remain the most cost-effective option for most travellers.
Best Ways to Get Thai Baht
Here are your options ranked from best to worst value:
- SuperRich exchange bureaux (in Thailand) - Famous for near-perfect rates. Orange and green SuperRich branches in Bangkok and major cities offer rates within 0.5% of mid-market. Worth seeking out for larger amounts.
- Multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) - Excellent rates and useful for card payments at hotels and restaurants. Thai ATMs still add their own fixed fee to each cash withdrawal.
- Thai ATMs with fee-free cards - If using a card that reimburses ATM fees (some premium accounts), any Thai ATM becomes viable.
- Online currency order before travel - Ordering Baht from Wise or a bureau before you leave gives decent rates if you want cash in hand on arrival.
- Airport exchange (Thailand) - At Suvarnabhumi, guides rate the arrivals-hall counters below city changers and send you to SuperRich's orange booth on the Level B rail-link floor instead.
- UK bureaux de change - Rates for Thai Baht in the UK are typically 5-8% worse than you'll get in Thailand. Only use for emergency arrival cash.
- Airport exchange (UK) - Worst option. Rates can be 10-15% off mid-market.
ATMs in Thailand: What You Need to Know
Thailand's ATM network is excellent with machines everywhere, but there's a catch for foreign cardholders.
The Foreign-Card ATM Fee
Thai banks charge a fixed fee each time a card issued abroad takes out cash, in addition to anything your own bank charges, and the machine shows it before you confirm. Many guides still say 220 THB, but the current tariffs of Krungsri (effective 11 March 2026) and Kasikornbank (schedule of 22 September 2026) set it at 250 THB for Visa and 350 THB for Mastercard. We have not checked the other Thai banks' current fees, so expect at least this much.
ATM Tips
- Maximum withdrawal: Most ATMs allow 20,000-30,000 THB per transaction. Some allow up to 40,000 THB.
- Decline DCC: When asked to convert to your home currency, ALWAYS decline and choose Thai Baht. DCC rates are terrible.
- Withdraw larger amounts: Every withdrawal carries the bank's fixed fee, so taking out more each time lowers the cost per baht.
- ATMs are everywhere: You'll find ATMs in every 7-Eleven, shopping mall, and most streets. No need to carry excessive cash.
- Notify your bank: Inform your bank you're travelling to Thailand to prevent card blocks.
Using Cards in Thailand
Card acceptance has improved significantly, but varies by location and establishment type.
Where Cards Work
- Hotels: All hotels accept cards, often with no surcharge
- Shopping malls: Department stores, chain shops all accept cards
- Supermarkets: Big C, Tesco Lotus, Tops, 7-Eleven all take cards (min spend may apply)
- Tourist restaurants: Most mid-range and upscale restaurants accept cards
- Booking tours: Most tour operators accept cards, sometimes with 2-3% fee
Where You Need Cash
- Street food: Virtually all street vendors are cash-only
- Markets: Chatuchak, night markets, floating markets - cash only
- Taxis and tuk-tuks: Always cash (though Grab accepts cards)
- Small local restaurants: Most mom-and-pop places are cash-only
- Temples: Entrance fees and donations are cash
- Beach vendors: Umbrella rentals, drinks, massages - cash only
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many card terminals in Thailand. Thai QR payment (PromptPay) is everywhere but requires a Thai bank account, so tourists can't use it directly.
Exchanging Money in Thailand
SuperRich: The Best Exchange Rates
SuperRich is Thailand's most famous exchange chain, offering rates that consistently beat banks and other bureaux. There are two separate companies - SuperRich (green) and SuperRich 1965 (orange) - both offer excellent rates. Check their websites for current rates before visiting.
SuperRich locations: Multiple branches in Bangkok (Pratunam, Siam, Asok), Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya. The Suvarnabhumi Airport branch (airside, near gate D) offers reasonable rates for an airport.
Other Good Exchange Options
- Vasu Exchange: Good rates, multiple Bangkok locations
- X-One Currency: Competitive rates in tourist areas
- Bank exchange counters: Decent rates at Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank
Where to Avoid Exchanging
- Hotel reception: Convenient but rates are typically 5-10% worse
- Airport landside: Poor rates compared to airside or city
- Tourist trap booths: Some Khao San Road booths have bad rates - compare first
How Much Cash to Bring to Thailand
Your daily budget in Thailand depends heavily on your travel style:
- Budget traveller: 1,000-1,500 THB/day (£23-35) - hostels, street food, local transport
- Mid-range: 2,000-4,000 THB/day (£45-90) - decent hotels, restaurants, some activities
- Comfortable: 5,000-10,000 THB/day (£115-230) - good hotels, nice restaurants, tours
- Luxury: 10,000+ THB/day - high-end resorts, fine dining, private tours
Recommended starting cash: Bring at least 10,000 THB (£230) equivalent for your first few days, then top up from ATMs or exchange bureaux as needed.
Thailand's Cash Requirement
Thailand officially requires tourists to show 20,000 THB (or equivalent ~£460) in cash on arrival. This is rarely checked but can be enforced, particularly for one-way tickets or suspected overstayers. Having access to funds via card statements is usually acceptable if questioned.
Best Exchange Options for THB
Top providers by category:
SuperRich
Famous for best rates in Thailand. Multiple branches in Bangkok.
Vasu Exchange
Comparable to SuperRich. Good option if SuperRich is crowded.
Bangkok Bank
Reliable ATMs nationwide. Foreign cards accepted widely.
Airport Exchange
Suvarnabhumi has decent rates. Avoid Don Mueang counters.
Tourist Area Booths
Khaosan Road, Patpong - poor rates targeting tourists.
Compare THB Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Thailand rewards waiting until you land: the guide puts the SuperRich bureaux, orange and green, in Bangkok and other major cities within 0.5% of mid-market, which makes them the pick for larger sums. Multi-currency cards suit payments at hotels and restaurants, but every Thai ATM withdrawal carries a fixed fee, so fewer, bigger withdrawals work out cheaper.
Not much of it. Thailand's exchange market is so competitive that rates are usually better after you land, while UK bureaux are typically 5-8% worse and UK airport counters may be as much as 10-15% off mid-market. Ordering a modest amount of Baht online before you go is reasonable if you would like some cash in your pocket when you land; otherwise change or withdraw once you are there.
Thai banks add a fixed fee to each foreign-card withdrawal, on top of anything your own bank charges, shown on screen before you confirm. The 220 THB figure in most guides is outdated: Krungsri and Kasikornbank currently charge 250 THB on a Visa card and 350 THB on a Mastercard; we have not checked other banks, so expect at least that. Fewer, larger withdrawals keep costs down.
In hotels, shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets and most mid-range and upmarket restaurants, yes, and most tour operators take them, sometimes with a 2-3% fee. Cash is still needed for street food, markets such as Chatuchak and the night and floating markets, taxis and tuk-tuks (Grab takes cards), small family-run restaurants, temple fees and beach vendors.
Daily spending runs from about 1,000-1,500 THB for a budget traveller to 2,000-4,000 THB mid-range and 5,000-10,000 THB or more for comfort and luxury. Arriving with at least 10,000 THB (£230) covers the first few days, then top up at an ATM or a bureau. Officially visitors should be able to show 20,000 THB in cash on arrival; it is rarely checked.
Only a little. At Suvarnabhumi the arrivals-hall counters are rated below the city changers; SuperRich has an orange booth on Level B, the rail-link floor, and an airside branch near gate D with reasonable rates for an airport, while Don Mueang's counters are best avoided. Hotel receptions are typically 5-10% worse, and some Khao San Road booths have poor rates, so compare first.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Vietnam
Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia