Where can I exchange slightly dirty $100 notes in Bangkok?

March 1, 2024
7 months ago
Hi. My friend has a few $100 notes but the Thai exchange places he's tried won't accept them because they are a bit dirty with some writing on them. Does anybody know somewhere that might accept notes like this? He's in Bangkok.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user seeks advice on where to exchange dirty $100 notes in Bangkok, as many exchange places refuse to accept them. Commenters suggest various locations, including Super Rich, banks, automatic exchange machines, and specific exchange booths that are known to be more lenient. Suggestions also include asking fellow tourists for a swap or using services like Wise for electronic transactions. The discussion highlights the generally strict policies against damaged currency in Thailand.
Andy **********
I've heard people mention that they used an exchange booth in the Arab district, in Bangkok, to change money that wasn't accepted elsewhere, apparently they are less strict about the quality of the notes.
Sk **********
If somebody is going to USA or cambodia you can exchange with them 😁
Islam ******
Sukhumvit soi 3 , have some local shop they can accept ask about Abo daod exchange shop
@Darren *******************
Keil ******
This happened to me. They want perfect notes to resell to the bank but the notes that they give to you are dirty and sometimes broken
Roger *********
spirits methylated spirit removes ball point pen. Done it loads of times on tax disks in my bad old days 🤣
JD *******
Cambodia (Airport) The Worst They Do Evrrything But Break Out An Electron Microscope To Check Your Currency !
Noel ********
Easy, indian money changer on soibetween soi 3 and soi 5. Opposite big pub on soi 5
Shane *******
Dunno about bangkok but in pattaya there is 1 booth that does take notes that most other places will refuse but they charge a premium for it, last time I was able to change a lot of 20 uk pound notes for eg
John *******
We all know the drill dont take shity notes to thailand or Indonesia Its a problem we farang or bulle face when in thailand or Indonesia but exchange booths there dont mind giving you shity dirty note in exchange for our good ones there is automatic echange machines like ATM in khaosan road some booths will take them but not at at full rate Chokh Di
John *********
In Thailand, each US note has to be in perfect condition. Not a new one, just a perfect one. And not the older style, only new style.
Sophie *********
I changed my written on notes at a money exchange shop in the back streets of Sukhumvit.
Sophie *********
Soi Arab.
Alan ********
Over counter at bank have passport
Anmoy *****
Faced the same. Had two notes with writing on them. Couldn't exchange anywhere. Took it to this automatic exchange machine at Khaosan Road, and problem solved! No staff to take a closer look, and realized the machine doesn't give a damn about writing on notes!

Just take your passport for the machine to scan it.
Michael ***********
Try to clean them up a bit first. Then go to the Superrich in Silom. I had good luck exching bills there that had been rejected at another exchange.
Franky ******
I buy any notes .
Garry ********
It's dirty money 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Tody **********
any massage parlour 😀
Dennis **********
Stay away from banks notes must be perfect. Try exchange booths along the road.
James *********
Try a bar? I’ve got some cash exchanged there… in Bangkok
Albert ********
If he is your friend help him out. That’s what he needs or a ATM card and a credit card.
Albert ********
Another tourist that can change it for him maybe for a bit less than the going rate.He could also hold on to them and use his atm card and credit cards.
Brian ********
Have you tried asking another American citizen where you are if they could swap them provided they have spare bank notes

I did it for a guy from the uk because I was going home to the uk
Andreas *********
He can try Siam Exchange. They are known for tolerating damages and scribbles. You find therm at the northern end of the MBK Center. Here's their website:
***********************************
Chris *******
A normal bank
Ilse **********
@Chris ******
no they definitely to take them. Even if you say it has to go to your own account
Bob *******
Any marks in biro they will reject , I had a couple of 100$ notes with very small marks rejected at different money changes in otherwise good condition .
Wolfram *******
Washing machine and iron the notes ;-)
Lynnette *******
@Wolfram ******
doesn't take pen marks off.
Janne ***********
down in pattaya they take anything on the street exchanges,,,
Stevie ********
@Janne **********
I think you've been lucky too as it's never been my experience either. I had one rejected with a mark I could barely see
Detlef ***********
@Janne **********
disagree ! I think you may have been just very lucky !!
Cody *********
Rookie mistake.

They are generally very strict on this at official places.

He can try enough and maybe someone will miss the problem but honestly I doubt it.

My bank in America (a small one where they know me) thinks I am nuts for how I am when I get my withdrawal for my yearly snowbird flight and subsequent 6 months.

Any mark or wrinkle and I won't accept the bill 🤷
Bernie **********
School boy error.....purfect notes only
Alain ***************
Try telling them that you just come from a birthday party and thai people stapled them together around your neck. Works well with thai baht. Good luck 😂
Jean-francois *******
Banks
David ******
I personally do not know of any exchange places which accept lightly soiled, dirty, torn or Written-On notes…. Exchange places are very particular.

Thankfully, now I have a Thai Bank Account, I can do it all electronically using services such as wise.com … highly recommended👍🏻
Peter ********
@David *****
I tried setting up a Wise account in Thailand. Thai banks won't let me transfer money to my account
David ******
@Peter *******
they accept deposits into Thai Bank - which is what I do from UK bank.

I am unsure about sending money out from Thailand as never had to do it.
Peter ********
@David *****
sadly I don't have a UK bank. I tried to transfer from my Thai bank account but my bank refused to transfer. I asked why and was basically told that foreigners can't transfer to emoney accounts in their own name.
John *******
WISE is very good, i use it all the time, but it will not let you send money from Thai Bank Account
М. ****
@David *****
what is the fee for the international transfer from wise to thai bank account?
Brian **********
@М. ***
Wise are great money transferred in seconds
Michael *******
@М. ***
400 plus 5 = 405
David ******
@Michael ******
ooops typo
David ******
@М. ***
It will vary on the amount you transfer - but typically, for
*****
baht, about £445, I will pay £5 fee (i.e. £400 plus £5 making £445)
Kace *******
i heard casinos are easier
Bart **************
A bank is your best bet. Try a couple. Otherwise take them back to the states.
Ellis ******************************
Thailand's a bloody nightmare with this. If no luck at all, best bet possibly selling to someone at a discount or someone returning to US sometime soon etc
Ken ***********
@Ellis *****************************
not just Thailand, the same in Indonesia.
Peter **********
@Ellis *****************************
it sure is I’ve had notes refused with marks on them

So swapped them with cleaner ones

When I looked through the Thai notes I’d been given some where marked so I asked her to exchange them which she did, very, very reluctantly

This was in SuperRich Bangkok some years ago
Phil ******
@Darren *******************
good luck as notes need to be clean. Time for the card and a Thai bank account
James *********
I'll give 2600 per....
Braulio *********
Gorgon *****
try larger exchange offices, which have scanners in addition to "counters"..I was refused an exchange last year (yankee $20) from the very exchange that gave it to me only a week before..crossed the street to a larger exchange and presto!
Michael ********
Blue exchange booths Do

Sometimes
Jay *********
I was stuck with mine until I went to Viantiane and paid for a visa with them. Hope he has better luck than I did
Saran ***************
Bank might accept it.
Pat *******
Try a bank. Take passport
Carlos *********
There sometimes is a small car/ van by kaosan road that I've had luck. Also the exchange at terminal 21. But no guarantees
Ilse **********
Try super rich , if they accept then , sorry but then it will be difficult
Bart **************
@Ilse *********
Superrich is competitive on rates. They don't distinguish on acceptability of damages. To be competitive, they have to be a bit more strict on that.
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