Thailand Travel: Complete Baht Exchange Guide
Your comprehensive guide to Thai Baht exchange for travelers, covering exchange booths, ATMs, tipping customs, and practical price references for Thailand.
Why Currency Strategy Matters in Thailand
Thailand remains one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, welcoming over 28 million international visitors annually. While the country is famously affordable, poor currency exchange decisions can quietly erode your budget by 5-10%. The difference between exchanging at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport versus a reputable downtown exchange booth can mean losing 3-5% on every baht you acquire.
This guide walks you through everything from understanding Thai Baht denominations to finding the best exchange rates, navigating ATM fees, and knowing what things actually cost in 2025.
Understanding the Thai Baht (THB)
Denominations
Thai Baht comes in both coins and banknotes:
Coins: 1, 2, 5, and 10 Baht (plus rarely used 25 and 50 satang coins)
Banknotes:
| Denomination | Color | Approximate USD Value |
|---|---|---|
| 20 THB | Green | ~$0.57 |
| 50 THB | Blue | ~$1.43 |
| 100 THB | Red | ~$2.86 |
| 500 THB | Purple | ~$14.30 |
| 1,000 THB | Brown/Grey | ~$28.60 |
Based on approximate rate of 35 THB = 1 USD
Keep smaller denominations (20 and 50 Baht notes) handy for street food, tuk-tuks, and market purchases. Many small vendors struggle to break 1,000 or even 500 Baht notes.
Where to Exchange: Ranking Your Options
Tier 1: Licensed Exchange Booths in Bangkok (Best Rates)
Bangkok has some of the world's best currency exchange rates at licensed money changers. The most reputable ones include:
- SuperRich (green and orange branches — both good, green slightly better)
- Vasu Exchange (Nana area)
- X-One Currency Exchange
These booths typically offer rates within 0.1-0.3% of the mid-market rate, which is exceptionally competitive. SuperRich in particular has become famous among budget travelers for its near-wholesale rates.
How to find them: SuperRich has branches near BTS stations across Bangkok. The original green SuperRich is located near Ratchadamri BTS. The orange SuperRich has branches in major malls and near popular BTS stops.
Tier 2: ATMs (Convenient but Expensive)
Thai ATMs are everywhere and dispense Baht directly from your home bank account. However, there is a significant catch: all Thai ATMs charge a flat 220 THB (~$6.30) fee per withdrawal, regardless of the amount. This is on top of any fees your home bank charges.
Strategy to minimize ATM costs:
- Withdraw the maximum amount per transaction (usually 20,000-30,000 THB)
- Use a bank that reimburses foreign ATM fees (Charles Schwab, Wise)
- Always decline the ATM's offer to convert to your home currency (DCC trap)
Recommended ATM networks: Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank (green ATMs), and SCB (purple ATMs) are generally reliable.
Tier 3: Airport Exchange Counters (Mediocre)
Suvarnabhumi Airport has exchange booths in the arrivals hall, but their rates are typically 2-4% worse than downtown booths. If you arrive late at night and need immediate cash for a taxi, exchanging a small amount (2,000-3,000 THB) at the airport is acceptable.
Pro tip: The exchange booths on the basement level (B floor) near the Airport Rail Link entrance often have slightly better rates than the ones in the arrivals hall.
Tier 4: Hotel and Tourist Area Exchanges (Worst Rates)
Exchange counters in tourist areas like Khao San Road, Patong Beach, or hotel lobbies typically offer the worst rates, with spreads of 3-8% below mid-market. Avoid these unless absolutely necessary.
Card Payments in Thailand
Credit and Debit Cards
Card acceptance has improved dramatically in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and resort areas. Major hotels, shopping malls, restaurants in tourist areas, and chain stores all accept Visa and Mastercard.
However, Thailand remains a predominantly cash society for:
- Street food stalls
- Local markets and night bazaars
- Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis
- Small local restaurants
- Most transactions under 300 THB
Mobile Payments and Grab
Grab is Thailand's dominant ride-hailing and food delivery app. You can link an international credit card to Grab for cashless rides throughout Bangkok and other major cities. This eliminates the need to negotiate taxi fares and provides transparent pricing.
QR code payments via PromptPay are ubiquitous among Thai locals but generally require a Thai bank account, making them inaccessible to short-term tourists.
Tipping Culture in Thailand
Thailand has a relaxed tipping culture compared to Western countries. Tipping is appreciated but rarely expected outside of high-end establishments.
| Situation | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (local) | Round up to nearest 20 THB or leave coins |
| Restaurant (upscale) | 10% if no service charge included |
| Hotel porter | 20-50 THB per bag |
| Hotel housekeeping | 20-50 THB per day |
| Taxi/Grab | Round up to nearest 10 THB |
| Massage (1 hour) | 50-100 THB |
| Tour guide (full day) | 200-500 THB |
| Tuk-tuk | Not expected |
Keep a stash of 20 THB notes specifically for tipping purposes.
What Things Cost in Thailand (2025 Prices)
Food and Drinks
| Item | Price Range (THB) | Approximate USD |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 40-80 THB | $1.15-2.30 |
| Local restaurant meal | 80-200 THB | $2.30-5.70 |
| Mid-range restaurant | 200-500 THB | $5.70-14.30 |
| Fine dining | 800-2,500 THB | $22.85-71.40 |
| Beer (local, bottle) | 60-100 THB | $1.70-2.85 |
| Beer (bar/restaurant) | 100-200 THB | $2.85-5.70 |
| Coffee (local cafe) | 40-80 THB | $1.15-2.30 |
| Coffee (chain/specialty) | 80-180 THB | $2.30-5.15 |
| Water bottle (1.5L) | 10-20 THB | $0.30-0.57 |
Transportation
| Mode | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BTS/MRT (Bangkok) | 16-62 THB | Per trip |
| Grab car (Bangkok, 10km) | 100-250 THB | Depending on traffic/time |
| Metered taxi (Bangkok) | 35 THB start + 5.5-8 THB/km | Insist on meter |
| Tuk-tuk | 100-300 THB | Always negotiate first |
| Songthaew (shared truck) | 10-30 THB | Common in Chiang Mai |
| Domestic flight | 800-3,000 THB | Bangkok to Chiang Mai/Phuket |
| Train (Bangkok-Chiang Mai) | 230-1,500 THB | Depends on class |
Accommodation
| Type | Bangkok | Chiang Mai | Islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | 200-500 THB | 150-350 THB | 250-500 THB |
| Budget hotel | 500-1,200 THB | 400-800 THB | 600-1,500 THB |
| Mid-range hotel | 1,200-3,000 THB | 800-2,000 THB | 1,500-4,000 THB |
| Luxury hotel | 3,000-15,000 THB | 2,000-8,000 THB | 4,000-20,000+ THB |
Daily Budget Estimates
| Travel Style | Daily Budget (THB) | Daily Budget (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 800-1,500 THB | $23-43 |
| Budget | 1,500-3,000 THB | $43-86 |
| Mid-range | 3,000-6,000 THB | $86-171 |
| Luxury | 6,000-15,000+ THB | $171-429+ |
Practical Tips for Managing Money in Thailand
Bargaining Etiquette
Bargaining is expected at markets, with street vendors, and for tuk-tuk rides, but NOT in malls, convenience stores, restaurants, or anywhere with fixed prices. A reasonable first counter-offer is typically 50-60% of the initial asking price, and you should aim to settle around 70-80%.
7-Eleven Is Your Friend
Thailand has more 7-Eleven stores per capita than almost any country in the world. They accept cash and cards, provide a convenient way to break large bills, and sell affordable snacks, drinks, and basic supplies.
Avoid Common Scams
- Jet ski scams in beach areas (avoid renting jet skis altogether)
- Tuk-tuk detour scams where drivers take you to gem shops or tailor shops for commission
- Taxi meter refusal — insist on the meter or use Grab instead
- Fake exchange rates — always calculate the rate yourself before handing over money
Emergency Cash Options
If you run out of cash:
- Western Union has locations throughout Thailand
- Major bank branches can process emergency card advances
- Your embassy can assist in genuine emergencies
- Wise and Revolut allow instant top-up from your phone
Pre-Trip Money Checklist
- Order a travel debit card (Wise or Revolut) 3-4 weeks before departure
- Notify your bank of travel to Thailand to prevent card blocks
- Download Grab and link a payment method before arrival
- Exchange a small amount of Baht (3,000-5,000 THB) for airport arrival
- Research SuperRich locations near your Bangkok accommodation
- Carry multiple payment methods — do not rely solely on one card
Key Takeaways
Thailand offers incredible value for travelers, but your currency strategy directly impacts your budget. Use licensed exchange booths like SuperRich for the best cash rates, minimize ATM withdrawals to avoid the 220 THB fee, and keep plenty of small bills for the cash-heavy aspects of Thai daily life. Combine a good travel debit card with strategic cash management, and you will maximize every Baht of your budget.
For up-to-date THB exchange rates and to plan your Thailand travel budget, visit the currency converter at hwanyul.com.
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