Currency in Thailand
The complete Thai Baht (THB) travel guide
The Thai Baht (THB, symbol ฿) is the official currency of Thailand. Issued by the Bank of Thailand, banknotes come in ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500, and ฿1,000 denominations; coins in 25 satang, 50 satang, ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, and ฿10. Thailand is a top-10 global tourist destination, receiving over 35 million visitors in pre-pandemic years and rebuilding toward those levels in 2025–2026.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in Thailand
Thailand is a cash-friendly country, especially outside Bangkok and the major beach resorts. Street food markets, songthaews (shared taxis), tuk-tuks, and small shops are almost universally cash-only. ATMs are widely available but Thai banks charge a hefty ฿220 (~$6.50) per foreign-card withdrawal — withdraw the maximum allowed (typically ฿20,000–30,000) per transaction to minimize fees. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at major hotels, malls (Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, Iconsiam), chain restaurants (Starbucks, McDonald's, MK Suki), and 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Amex acceptance is more limited.
Tipping culture in Thailand
Tipping in Thailand is appreciated but not strictly expected. Restaurants: round up the bill, leave small change, or add 10% at upmarket places (a 10% service charge is often already added at hotel restaurants). Taxis: round up to the nearest 5–10 baht. Hotels: ฿20–50 per bag for porters; ฿20–50 per night for housekeeping. Spa/massage: ฿50–100 per hour for excellent service. Tour guides: ฿200–500 per person per day. Street food vendors and tuk-tuk drivers: no tipping expected (just don't haggle aggressively over ฿20).
Best way to get Thai Baht (THB)
For USD-to-THB, multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) deliver rates within 0.5–0.8% of mid-market. Thailand has uniquely poor ATM fees for foreign cards (฿220 per transaction is among the highest in Asia) — withdraw the maximum (฿20,000–30,000) to minimize per-transaction cost. Bangkok's SuperRich currency exchange chain offers some of the best in-person USD-to-THB rates in Southeast Asia — far better than airport counters or hotel exchanges (compare rates at the Big C, Pratunam, and Siam locations). For substantial transfers ($10,000+), Wise and OFX beat traditional remittance services consistently.
Practical money tips for Thailand
- •SuperRich is the local currency-exchange chain with the best in-person rates — use them, not airport kiosks
- •Thai ATMs charge ฿220 per foreign withdrawal — withdraw the max (฿20,000–30,000) at once to minimize fees
- •Get a tourist SIM card on arrival (AIS, TrueMove H, DTAC) — 7-30 day plans available for ฿199–599
- •BTS Skytrain and MRT in Bangkok accept Rabbit cards and contactless credit cards as of 2024
- •VAT refund scheme available for tourists at participating stores on purchases over ฿2,000; claim at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airport
- •Thailand plug types A, B, C, F, O (mixed — Type O is unique); voltage 220V/50Hz — pack universal adapter
- •The 7-Eleven on every corner sells SIM cards, snacks, drinks, basic medications, and accepts cards — utility stop for travelers
Common money scams to avoid in Thailand
Common tourist money scams in Thailand include: tuk-tuk drivers offering "cheap city tour" trips that include forced stops at gem shops or tailor shops where they earn commissions (always decline); "the Grand Palace is closed today" scam where a friendly local redirects you to gem stores or tailors (the Grand Palace is rarely actually closed); jet-ski and motorbike rental scams in Phuket/Pattaya where operators claim pre-existing damage as new and demand payment; karaoke bar / hostess bar billing scams in Patpong, Soi Cowboy, and Walking Street that can result in thousands-of-dollars bills; and rigged taxi fares from Don Mueang airport (use the official metered taxi queue, not airport touts).
Frequently asked questions
Can I use US dollars in Thailand?
Some Phuket and Pattaya tourist businesses accept USD but at terrible rates (10–15% loss). Always convert to THB. Convert at SuperRich exchange (multiple Bangkok locations) for the best in-person rate, or use a Wise card.
How much cash should I bring to Thailand?
Plan on ฿1,500–3,000 ($45–90) per day in cash for street food, tuk-tuks, markets, and small shops. With cards working at hotels and chain restaurants, your daily cash use is modest. Withdraw the maximum (฿20,000–30,000) per ATM transaction to minimize the ฿220 foreign-card fee.
Are credit cards accepted in Thailand?
In Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai — Visa/Mastercard works at hotels, chain restaurants, malls, and 7-Eleven. Outside major tourist hubs and in markets/street food, cash is required. Always have ฿1,000–2,000 in cash as backup.
What's the cheapest way to send money to Thailand?
For USD-to-THB, Wise consistently delivers rates within 0.5% of mid-market. For non-USD-to-THB transfers, Wise and Remitly compete with local Thai bank remittance services. Avoid Western Union for amounts under $5,000 — typically 3–5% in disguised margins.
Why is the Thai ATM withdrawal fee so high?
In 2013, Thai banks coordinated to raise foreign-card ATM fees from ฿150 to ฿220 — much higher than regional neighbors. The fee is a deliberate revenue source for Thai banks. Workarounds: withdraw the maximum amount per transaction; use a Charles Schwab debit card (reimburses all foreign ATM fees worldwide) if you have access.
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Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.