ask
Search
Ask
Answered4 years ago

Is it better to exchange cash in my home country or in Thailand?

Magali ******
asked Apr 27, 2022
5.9k
views
34
replies
3
likes
Is it better to change cash in my home country or in Thailand?
Answer summary
Exchanging cash in Thailand is generally better than doing it in your home country. Visitors often find that the exchange rates are more favorable in Thailand, especially if they utilize local money exchangers, such as Super Rich, which are known for offering competitive rates. It's advised to change a small amount at the airport upon arrival to cover immediate expenses, and then seek better rates in the city. Additionally, travelers should be aware that Thai banks may refuse to accept worn or marked bills, so ensuring that your cash is in good condition will facilitate smoother transactions.
34 repliesnewest first
22

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Brook ********
Brook ********
The best rates are on the lowest floor (trains) at BKK airport
Ken *******
Ken *******
Small amount at Thai airport,the rest in the area where your staying.

Never in home country.
Rob **********
Rob **********
Use Super rich in Thailand, you will get the best rates on offer.
Brook ********
Brook ********
When exchanging for Thai currency in Thailand, I like to reject any Thai Baht notes with marks, rips or any other deformity.

When they ask you why, simply reply, “exactly”.
Ste *******
Ste *******
@Brook *******
Or 'Same Same but different'!
Chris *********************
Chris *********************
In the basement of the airport
John ******
John ******
Make sure the bills that you get from the bank are crisp and clean with no markings. Even if there is a small line from a marker, a Super Rich won't exchange it. I speak from personal experience. 😀😀
Keven ****
Keven ****
Super Rich. Best exchange rate.
Vincent ******
Vincent ******
Use a Revolut card ! Great exchange rate
Greg *********
Greg *********
Thailand
David *******
David *******
thailand for sure. Think there is a super rich level 1 in airport
Chris *********************
Chris *********************
@David ******
no difference now only 2 open when I came home in November both same rate pal
David *******
David *******
@Chris ********************
I never bring cash, just saw it there lol
Ste *******
Ste *******
Thailand! Just make sure there are zero marks, writing or tears on your notes. They will get flat refused.
Karim ***************
Karim ***************
Phil Jones you are 100% wrong! Thais won’t accept notes with a single mark on them, anywhere in the country.
Didrik *********
Didrik *********
@Ste ******
I am with Ste on this one, they refuse bills if they are worn or teared.
Ste *******
Ste *******
Phil Jones Last time i went got refused 5 £20 notes because had pen matks on.

2 year ago
Nathan ******
Nathan ******
@Ste ******
you are correct, Phil is wrong.
Tember ******
Tember ******
Cash with u & change in TH. The best rates in BBK airport are in the Skytrain area. If u have access to an Thai Account use Wise. 👍
AxMdob *******
AxMdob *******
Never with your TG this is the best rules
William ********
William ********
Nah just bring your own currency and change in Thailand abs don’t waste your time and extra fees changing it to USD
Mitchell *******
Mitchell *******
Change it in Thailand. And remember that you should have at least the equivalent of 10,000 baht in cash in pocket when arriving. (basically just over $300 USD). They rarely ask, but over the years, I have been asked 3 times, and actually made to produce the cash one of those times.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Mitchell ******
incredibly rare to be asked, especially with any form of actual visa. They ask for proof if they think you’re trying to buck the system with back to back tourist or exempt entries - or if you’re wearing a Black Sabbath singlet and have dreadlocks 😀
Mitchell *******
Mitchell *******
I have to bring it up though. 😁
Av **********
Av **********
Thailand
Vincent *****
Vincent *****
Probably better to change your currency in usd at home and change usd to thb here (rate are near the trading rate).

Euro are fine too
Vincent *****
Vincent *****
@Sophie ********
i you might not have travel much.

Try to change some Idr or vnd in Thailand and see how it goes.
Sophie *********
Sophie *********
Vincent *****
Vincent *****
Rate for usd are usually the best you can find.

If you come here with some unusual currency the rate will be terrible.

Usd is less usually around 0.1% to 0.25%
David *******
David *******
@Vincent ****
but you lose more converting to use first
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Vincent ****
why would you change one rate to another only to change it to another, and loose exchange charges on both transactions.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
You’ll usually get a better exchange rate here rather than your home country. Airports (and banks) usually offer the worst rates (except BKK -see below), so if you need some local Baht for your taxi or food then change a small amount that you’d need and head out of the building. If you are going to one of the main tourist spots like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, etc you’ll find money exchangers everywhere on the streets.

Shop around to find the best rate, but they’ll generally be very similar. You might save a few pennies or cents here or there, but it won’t be a huge difference. I often see people post "go to ABC shop in xyz plaza" but if it's going to cost you 400 baht for a taxi there you'd better be certain the rates there will be better than a 200m stroll down the road. Google and see if there's a Super Rich exchange place nearby. They often have the best rates. You can check what they're offering by downloading the SuperrichTH app on your phone to get daily updates on rates for all major currencies. If you are landing in Suvarnabhumi (BKK) there is a Superrich exchange on the bottom floor near where you get the trains.

You'll sometimes get a slightly better rate on larger bills like £50 notes or $100 bills. Make sure they are pristine with no writing or marks on them as they may not be accepted. If you’re from the UK then be aware that very few places will accept Scottish or Northern Irish notes. Best to bring pristine Bank of England ones.

If you are not happy carrying large amounts of cash there are ATM’s everywhere. Almost all will accept foreign Visa or MasterCard debit/ATM cards. Most have a limit of
*****
baht per day but the Krungsri bank (yellow ones) allow up to 30,000 There is a 220 baht fee per transaction imposed at the ATM. That’s a 1.1% transaction fee (for 20K). A small price to pay for peace of mind for not loosing too much cash. Robbery is rare here but it does happen.

If you don’t have a debit card or cashpoint card, then as a LAST resort use a credit card to withdraw cash. The fees the card companies impose are huge and added on to the fee for the local bank transaction.

A number of banks or finance institutions do special cards these days with little or no charge on foreign spending. You might want to ask around who has the best card deals before you leave. You’ll still be hit with the ATM fee but at least you know exactly what you’ve been charged.

I've read some banks offer to refund ATM fees. I believe Charles Schwab in America and ING in Australia do so but other countries' banks might offer a similar deal.
Magali ******
Magali ******
OP
@Stuart ********
Wow, that is really thorough! Thank you so much, mate!
Mitchell *******
Mitchell *******

Activity

22 joined
Magali ******
Magali ******
Magali ******
Magali ******
Magali ******
Magali ******
22
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

23
What should I know about booking international flights with VIETJET to Thailand?
2.4k23184mo
Has anyone had experience using Instarem for transferring funds to Thailand?
6534210mo
Can I use a foreign credit card in Thailand and what are the limits?
6.4k18171y
What is the current exchange rate for the UK Pound in Thailand?
8.1k551132y
Is it easy to exchange £50 notes in Thailand?
10.2k75892y
Is Norwegian Krone (NOK) accepted at exchange shops in Thailand?
9.1k74872y
What are some reliable websites to buy cheap onward travel tickets from Thailand?
4.3k23132y
What are the best currency exchange options for changing £10,000 in Pattaya?
2.5k16232y
What are the best currency exchange options at Suvarnabhumi Airport for arrival?
39.4k1753273y
Which money exchange counters in Bangkok offer the best exchange rates?
10.1k51933y
What are the best tips for expats in South Africa planning to retire in Thailand after a trial year?
2.4k14193y
Is it a good time to transfer money to Thailand based on the current strength of the UK pound against the Thai Baht?
5.2k42433y
Is Wise a better option than Revolut for transferring money to Thailand?
7.3k52663y
Where can my friend withdraw USD in Thailand for currency exchange?
638334y
What are some recommended platforms and airlines for booking cheap flights between Thailand and Malaysia?
1.4k9114y
What are the best and cheapest options to transfer money from the UK to Thailand?
15.6k156964y
What is the best way to exchange currency when traveling from the UK to Thailand?
2k15155y
What are the current ATM withdrawal limits in Thailand, especially for expats?
2.6k19105y
Is Super Rich currency exchange open at Suvarnabhumi Airport?
5.3k49296y
What alternatives can I use for currency exchange in Thailand if SCB Bank is suspending cash exchanges?
766367y
Which bus is better for a visa run: arriving in Nong Khai at 9 am or Udon Thani at 6 am?
1.3k1228y
Which country is better for a visa run from Thailand: Singapore or Malaysia?
42929y
Is it better to use Dollars or Baht in Vientiane, and where can I exchange currency?
3k13159y

Resources

Need help with your Thai visa?