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Do higher denomination notes yield better exchange rates in Thailand?

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a month ago
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Been visiting Thailand for over two decades but was told something I’ve never heard, before and am unsure if it is true.

A very well educated Thai friend said “If taking cash, try to take high denomination notes” (£50 notes in my case but would be $100 bills for others).

They explained that money exchanges in LOS pay a higher exchange rate for higher denomination notes than otherwise.

I said they were disseminating Fake-News but other Thais waded in and said it is true and that even the currency exchange-rate boards hanging up in the booths show the higher rate differentials for larger notes.

I’ve never been aware of this phenomenon nor noticed that.

Have I been walking around with one eye closed?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many expats and travelers in Thailand confirm that exchanging cash with higher denomination notes, such as $100 or £50 bills, often results in better exchange rates compared to lower denominations. This practice appears to be a widely recognized standard at various exchange booths across Thailand, with some users suggesting that perfectly crisp and newer notes earn even better rates. Several comments indicate that values can vary depending on the exchange company and the specific currency, but the consensus seems to support the idea that larger notes generally provide a more favorable exchange rate.
Bonnie *********
Every exchange posts the rates, higher denomination bills are higher.
3 months ago
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Stephen ********
@Bonnie ********
 not every exchange company offers a better rate for large notes
3 months ago
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Stephen ********
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Anthony ************
Yes you get a better rate for higher denomination notes.
3 months ago
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Steven ******
It's true, you generally get a worse than advertised exchange rate if you aren't changing £50s
3 months ago
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Harry *********
Yes it’s true and always has been although the difference , whilst welcome , is not enough to get carried away over
3 months ago
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Steve **********
I have been told by a Thai woman this true
3 months ago
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Braulio *********
Forever
3 months ago
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Dennis **********
If you only got one eye.YES.
3 months ago
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Glenn ********
Not only large bills ,but they need to be new hundreds, not the old ones and no rips
3 months ago
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Peter **********
I always take £50 notes

Have to be clean though, no marks
3 months ago
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Larry *******
It’s true. Just walk up to a money exchange and they’ll have different rates based on the denominations
3 months ago
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Paul **********
Talking Pennie’s difference so Wtf
3 months ago
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Alan ******
Don't think people carry cash nowadays, it's old fashioned lol
3 months ago
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James ******
Is it possible to just use an ATM to get cash (baht) when you need it? Why even bring your countries money to Thailand, just to have to exchange it anyway?
3 months ago
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Ben ********
Or just use wise and get better rates again
3 months ago
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Tony *********
Is it really worth the hassle for 0.05 baht difference 🤷
3 months ago
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Edna *******
@Tony ********
 no
3 months ago
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Tony *********
Exactly and to make that sort of rate 0.05 baht pay you would have to exchange £ thousands of which it is illegal to take in or out of most countries in the world because of money laundering. I load my Revolut card with Bahts and get the higher rate anyway and can withdraw cash or use the card with out worry and when I'm finished transfer back to my local currency without problems or commission
3 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Tony ********
 I get what you're saying that the difference is minimal, but the "hassle" is also pretty much non-existent. Personally I just use the ATM with a card that reimburses the 220 baht fee and get a better rate than any exchange place on top of it.
3 months ago
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Wylie *******
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Loek *******
When you got to Superrich you get more exchange for bigger money notes. €100 or €50 notes pays better .
3 months ago
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Bart **************
With one eye closed you'd still have noticed. Could it have been both eyes?
3 months ago
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Vinay ********
I found for UK pound, they give you the same rate
3 months ago
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David *******
Always £50 pound notes
3 months ago
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Michael ********
Yes and Scottish pounds if you can find anywhere to change them the rate is way lower
3 months ago
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Mark ********
Too high take 20s
3 months ago
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Rick ********
That is correct and the notes has to be perfect no tears or marks.
3 months ago
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Don ******
@Rick *******
 only for falang Rick, I had a thousand dollars that they wouldn’t change for me, gave them to Pik to change for me the next day at the same exchange, no problem at all.
3 months ago
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Don ******
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Nick *****************
Yup! Eyes closed 😴
3 months ago
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Gary *********
Yes
3 months ago
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Brad *******
Better yet, don't take cash. Get ATM withdrawals and free fee reimbursement
3 months ago
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Rob *******
£50 Notes get a slightly higher rate then £5 £10 £20
3 months ago
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John ********
If you're that concerned about half a baht extra.............?????
3 months ago
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Tore *********
Definitely true for EUR. Its even listed in the displays at the exchange shops
3 months ago
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Barry ********
It used to be the case years ago for gbp but not for the last 10 years imo. Tried it on the yellow exchange booths in Pattaya, no difference in
*****
/50 notes but still the best available rate.
3 months ago
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Tom *******
… this is common knowledge and yes .. it is posted at all money exchanges
3 months ago
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Dave *********
They won't except £50 notes
3 months ago
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Barry ********
@Dave ********
 they accept mine, maybe I'm lucky
3 months ago
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Barry ********
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Steven *********
I was told this on my first trip and found this to be true, with the added caveat to bring bills with no extra markings a few if any folds. Since then I always call my US bank ahead of time and order new bills.
3 months ago
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Edna *******
@Steven ********
 that is definitely the way to go. For my USD bank , is a three day service. Also if you’re lucky enough to have any Baht left on your return they can be exchanged on the spot at your bank. This method also helps me budget for the trip and not get carried away. Seldom if ever bother with ATM’S. I carry only a few USD’S , for the trip home, tips etc. most airports and their shops and restaurants accept charge or debit cards.
3 months ago
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Edna *******
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Jason ********
You’ll get a better rate albeit slightly using an ATM
3 months ago
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Jason ********
100 dollar gets the best exchange rate.

Lower denomination worse.

Your friend is correct
3 months ago
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Jan **********
eyeless in bangkok
3 months ago
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Tony ********
2 eyes
3 months ago
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David ************
Learn something new every 28days on this group. 😉
3 months ago
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James **************
Yes
3 months ago
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Susan ****
That has always been the case everywhere in SE Asia.

They always pay alot more for the highest note in your currency with the $100 being the most desirable.

Didn't you notice the different rates at every single currency changer in Thailand?
3 months ago
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Andreas *********
yes, it's true . . . . . Siam Exchange today
3 months ago
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Peter ***********
This was.the case.in the early 2000.

50 100 had a slightly better rate. Also any notes with writing on them aren't often accepted.
3 months ago
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Keef ********
yep.
3 months ago
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Thomas *******
When you went to a cash exchange, it was right there in front of you.
3 months ago
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Emily *******
Don't take 500€ bills though as they are nearly impossible to use/exchange.
3 months ago
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Gary ********
True been that way for many years
3 months ago
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Paul ********
True normally 1 baht more for £50’s with absolutely no damage or writing
3 months ago
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Elías ********
In South Korea, at least, what you say is correct. The private bureau de change pay SLIGHTLY more for crispy new and recent editions of the US$100 banknotes. Of course this is not related at all with their true legal value, but as private exchange business I think they legally can do this (I'm talking about Korea). The difference is not that much, and they tell you upfront about it, BEFORE you exchange it.
3 months ago
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Jeff *********
You have
3 months ago
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Stephen ********
Depends on the currency and the exchange company. The difference is very little
3 months ago
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Susan ****
@John *******
 well actions speak louder than words and the fact you think so narrowly speaks volumes.

My comment had loads of value since shock horror people in this group do travel elsewhere in SE Asia!

Meanwhile your nitpicking comment demonstrated your parochialism.

Oh and maybe you've been very lucky, but I retired at 41 and there was no luck involved at all.

And now I'm 55 I'm still not lucky. I'm merely good with money and as such can afford to live life to the full and do whatever I want.
3 months ago
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John ********
@Susan ***
 well, the original post was about Thailand...your comment had no value

You're very lucky, as I have been also.

But comments should relate to the discussion at hand.. what's parochial about pointing out an error??

I'm certainly not a "sad" parochial..
3 months ago
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Susan ****
@John *******
 if travelling the world full time makes me a Karen, I'm happy to be one!

It's vastly better than being a sad parochial individual.

Enjoy!
3 months ago
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Stephen ********
@Susan ***
 unfortunately I'm Seldom in Bangkok 🤷‍♂️ TT would be a major player and they don't offer a better exchange rate for higher notes. But are generally very competitive with their rates. Strange comment how you can say others rates are rubbish without knowing. I find 0.05 of a baht not worth running around for 🤷‍♂️
3 months ago
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John ********
@Susan ***
 hello Karen
3 months ago
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Susan ****
@Stephen *******
 depends how much you are changing. The difference adds up on bigger sums and I always carry £50 and $100 bills anyway.

And no super rich aren't the only ones. The ones with the best rates always offer more for the biggest notes. If they don't then their rates are rubbish.

I don't bother changing money outside Bangkok.
3 months ago
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Susan ****
@John *******
 Ok so don't read my comment then. Easy!
3 months ago
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John ********
@Susan ***
 I thought this was about Thailand
3 months ago
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Stephen ********
@Susan ***
 I know superich do, and think they may be the only ones that do. I've never changed currency in Bangkok and I don't think super rich have anywhere beyond. I could be wrong. Though the difference is very little
3 months ago
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Susan ****
@Stephen *******
 Super rich does and they offer the best rates of all!
3 months ago
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Stephen ********
@Susan ***
 not sure, this is a thailand page so I'm trying to keep it relevant. And nit all exchange booths have any difference for large notes
3 months ago
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Susan ****
@Stephen *******
 it's not a little difference in Vietnam or Philippines!
3 months ago
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Susan ****
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Rod *******
Who's bringing small notes anyway? So you are going away on holiday and you go to the bank to withdrawal cash and ask for it all in 1s and 5s?
3 months ago
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Steve **********
It's true.

Got here 20 odd years sgo , rare was US , 43 baht/ 1, ( bank rate ) went to ( you know, Chinese exchange ), if all in $100's and over $10k at a time, got 44.25 or so.
3 months ago
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Jim ********
Depends where you go. I’ve got better rates for £50 notes but in some places they pay the same as £20 or £10 notes
3 months ago
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Paul *****
Yes my friend, you have not been paying close enough attention. Large bills=higher rates.
3 months ago
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Greg *********
My Thai wife said that is absolutely true. We bring $100s.
3 months ago
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John ********
@Greg ********
 you had to ask your wife? Why does her nationality matter?
3 months ago
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John ********
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Myles *******
Been like that for years
3 months ago
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Thaimer ******
Lol you can easily check that in 2 clicks
3 months ago
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Thomas *******
@Thaimer *****
 Pictures are worth a thousand words as they say.
3 months ago
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Thomas *******
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Joseph *******
I tried this and the exchange rate was still shit, should have just used the WISE app would have saved so much money
3 months ago
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Raymond *************
True where I exchange cash they told me bring bigger denominations for better rates
3 months ago
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Thomas *******
@Raymond ************
 and make sure they are in " like new " condition.
3 months ago
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Thomas *******
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Neil **********
True. Not a huge difference, but annoyingly true I discovered
3 months ago
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John *********
Same with british pound
3 months ago
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Kool *******
It's been that way for decades.
3 months ago
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Vin *********
@Kool ******
 Maybe for some currencies, not all.
3 months ago
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Vin *********
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Charles ***********
Yes 100 US dollar bills. No wrinkles no pencil marks or cuts will give you the best return. Always been that way at exchange
3 months ago
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Richard *************
ya it's the same for other country when I whent to Pakistan had to change my nz for big us dollars for better rate
3 months ago
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Stephan ***********
Depends on the currency...

************************************************
3 months ago
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Максим **********
3 months ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
True. Larger notes get better exchange rates.
3 months ago
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John ***********
If they are Australian dollars they are all worth the same. Otherwise your advice is correct.
3 months ago
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Richard *************
@John **********
 ok thanks 👍
3 months ago
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John ***********
@Richard ************
 No, but if you google superrich's rates, you will be able to see for yourself the value of the notes.
3 months ago
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Richard *************
@John **********
 do you know if that's the same for nz dollars
3 months ago
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Richard *************
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