Are currency exchange companies in Thailand fussy about the condition of GBP notes?

Oct 9, 2024
a month ago
Peter *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Don't know if I dreamed it but are the exchange company's in thailand fussy about the condition of gb currency when exchangeing for tb
7,647
views
8
likes
168
all likes
65
replies
2
images
42
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, exchange companies in Thailand are quite picky about the condition of GBP currency. They generally prefer crisp, unmarked, and unfolded banknotes. Most commenters noted that notes with tears, marks, or significant folds are often rejected. While some experience suggests that slightly bent notes may still be accepted, it is recommended to carry notes in the best possible condition to avoid issues during exchange.
Rod ********
They are fussy about ANY currency
Thom **********
1 USD = 33.11 baht still not good.
Jay ******
The same with US dollars. No marks of any kind.
Mike **********
When I bring USD$

They are super picky

Gotta be pretty much

Pristine- no creases- hard folds- stains — Holes ( like from staples)

Can be a pain in the butt
Greg ***********
there is one money changer in Bangkok, where you might get lucky in exchanging slightly scribbled or folded bank notes. That is SIAM EXCHANGE (across the street from MBK Center) in direction Phaya Thai, on the left side
Terry ******
Same with Australian notes Dirty Bad condition and Earlier than Current notes.
Winston ********
I had old GB notes from 2017. They are now obsolete. So i lost all value for them. Need only the new GB notes. SuperRich Green (I think, its been so long. Now I just transfer from my Canadian account via Wise/WU direct to my Thai bank a/c) offers the best exchange rate.
Terry ******
@Winston *******
PayPal Wise transfer Australia Thailand 1 minute in bank
Winston ********
@Terry *****
I dont use Pay Pal but will do so since I now have a monetized YouTube channel. But all my earnings on my channel are being used to fund needy Filipino children get a college degree. I should be collecting my first payment of CAD108. It's not much but it will make it that much less for the current student I am sponsoring
Wayne ***********
An example for you bud - out of a grand: the tenner slight tear, the score they couldn’t fully remove writing on the queens face but they tried - both rejected. TT Exchange Pattaya
Terary **********
They're that way in USD also, I imagine most currencies.
Mike *******
Yes !!! They have to resell notes to the general public!!

Clean notes only!!
Braulio *********
Get crisp or like new bills before traveling
Jason ********
Yes. Crisp and new.
Vince *********
No writhing and no rips
Frances ********
You didn’t dream it😅 the exchange places have denied even taking a $100 bill that was folded in half.
Scotty *******
They are getting fussier including banks had a chip out of a note I couldn't even notice it my self yet it was handed back not to say I went another bank and it wasn't a problem .....but definately no stamps or writing on them or you will be stuck with them
David ******
******************************************************
Ian **********
Banks are more likely to exchanged marked or defaced notes
Stevie ********
Even the tiniest of marks they reject .I had one where you could barely see little bit of ink on another wise new note I had to keep that note for over a year till I returned
Pat *******
Banks are very fussy. Exchange booths were less so.
Brook ********
@Pat ******
US Banks will accept 51% of any age note and care not if it is ripped, burned, folded, torn, marked or taped.
Brook ********
Make sure you inspect each Thai note they give you and refuse any with rips, tears, folds or marks.

If they ask you why, tell them, “exactly.”
Peter *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
For some reason I'm not recieveing any of your comments lol.
Nicholas ******
I go to the uk bank I order £20 notes they come in a sealed bag that states in the sealed bag I give the sealed bag in to the exchange booth and still have some refused
Kate *******
@Nicholas *****
Get £50’s instead, you get a bit of a higher exchange rate for them.
Rob *********
If you have bills that are unacceptable, meet someone going home to that country and change. I managed to unload Brazilian crumpled bills, mainland China bills etc that way.
Andy **********
The UK has the new polymer notes now, very few are in bad condition, not like the old notes, but yes the exchange booths will only accept notes in good condition.
Boran *****
No marks, writing or tears. It’s always been that way.
Mar *****
All currency I'd get ya iron out at home or ya hotel room n pray for no Ink or tiny blemishes etc
Ian ********
Very fussy, bring new notes
Tin **********
Crispy notes ka
Stephen *******
Changed some this week examined every note rejected one had 2 stapler holes in corner of note
Colin *********************
I was in a uk bank this morning pre-warning them I wanted a large amount of cash in unmarked notes next month for Thailand. Actually this had not been so much of a problem since we switched to plastic notes, but the bank said they would no longer check the condition but that I must do it and then take any unsatisfactory notes back to change
Luke **********
The bank will take anything
Adonis ***********
@Luke *********
True .But give you Roughly between 8-10 Lower Exchange Rate.I only use Superrich in Bangkok which have the Premium Rates.Cheers
Steve *******
@Adonis **********
I always get a better rate with the banks rather than exchange booths
Adonis ***********
@Steve ******
I Never Have Interesting. Only time I did get better rate at Bank was for a Large Transfer in Dollars ,which enabled me to get a Special Premium Rate
Brian *********
Age of the notes seems to be an issue.
Mark **********
He’ll yeah. Your notes need to be pristine, not scuffs or marks or tears.
Luke **********
@Mark *********
wrong , does not have to be pristine lol
Mark **********
@Luke *********
may be. Mine was at Pattaya and everytime I’ve visited over three years and now live in udon thani
Mark **********
@Luke *********
rubbish mate. They do not except a pound note with and marks or tears on it. It needs to be fresh and flat
Luke **********
@Mark *********
I’ve have different experience to that sorry so not not rubbish at all 🤙🏻🤙🏻
Mark **********
@Luke *********
in my experiences they even get erasers out to remove marks etc
Luke **********
@Mark *********
supposed depends whose on and where you go by the sounds of it lol
Chris ******
They are fussy, generally don't accept, if the notes are written on, defaced, (??? And we've all watched UK bank tellers write on our notes!) Torn notes will be handed back, ...... folded in half notes have always been OK for me!

😎
Graeme ******
I habe been many times and exchanged uk bank notes many times. They don't want marked or ripped notes or if they look like they have been crumpled up. However as long as they are in good condition even with some gentle folds in them, you will be OK. I have read many posts saying you need brand new notes otherwise you will have a problem, this is not the case. I typically travel with £20 notes as it's easy to carry, the exchange rate is only slightly better for £50 notes but it's typical only pennies. Just be sensible and take good condition notes
Jay *********
Yes. I was stuck with some for months because there was a tiny bit of writing on them until I got lucky and Laos accepted it for a visa
Jason ********
They’re extremely fussy.

Make sure all your notes are in good condition no tears or marks.
Brandon ************
It's always been that way, and is similar across the world.

It's also not just limited to the currency from any specific country.

To exchange they want crisp, unmarked, unfolded, like new condition bills.
Braulio *********
Peter **********
@Brandon ***********
well said , but they are happy to give you notes with marks on them

with the excuse that you can still spend them
Thaimer ******
@Brandon ***********
not really true for Euro. As long as they’re not damaged or marked they’ll accept. Folded or not, crispy or not.

On other hand they’re super picky for USD
Paul ******
@Thaimer *****
and uk notes not excepted if not perfect
Andy **********
Presumably no one comes to Thailand with an empty bank account, and so having notes rejected isn't an utter disaster. Use a ATM
Jason ********
@Andy *********
I do both. Exchange 100 at the airport. Hit the atm next. Cash is the emergency back up along with credit cards.
Peter **********
@Andy *********
atm ‘s in Thailand only give out Thai Baht notes

And the rates and charges are eye watering
Andy **********
@Peter *********
The charge is usually 220 baht, which is hardly eye watering on a 20,000 withdrawal, and considering you've just spent around £1000 on flights. And the rates are pretty good compared to booths outside of Bangkok. For the Cheap Charlie's, 220baht is a fiver.
John ********
@Andy *********
another 2 week millionaire
Andy **********
@John *******
Que? Is that directed at me? And what do you mean by that?
Peter **********
@Andy *********
I’m not a really a Tourist

Spend 5 / 6 months there every year since 2009 as I have a house in Bangkok

Always take good clean £50 notes to exchange at Superich

Should I need any more I use Wise to transfer into my Thai Bank Acc always good rates and fees
Brandon ************
@Peter *********
what? They're talking about getting Thai money so that's exactly what they want. And the ATMs don't charge any rate unless you let them. Your bank that you have your debit card through is who decides the exchange rate and fees except for the 220 baht ATM fee
Andy **********
@Paul *****
And less baht or straight refusal for Scottish money
John *******
@Andy *********
Same for Bank of Ireland notes.
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else