With the increasing popularity of the internet and smartphones, along with government initiatives actively promoting digital payments, electronic payments have become more and more popular in Thailand. However, cash payments are still a common method of payment. Therefore, when traveling in Thailand, it’s advisable to carry some coins and banknotes.
- Thai Baht
The currency unit of Thailand is the baht, which comes in both banknotes and coins. The banknotes in circulation come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 baht, while the coins are minted in denominations of 25 and 50 satang, and 1, 2, 5, and 10 baht (1 baht equals 100 satang). -
Exchange Rate
It’s important to understand the exchange rate between the Thai baht and your country’s currency. If you want to exchange currency at the most favorable time, you can frequently check the real-time fluctuations of the exchange rate. -
Currency Exchange
You can exchange Thai baht in your country before departure, or you can exchange it after arriving in Thailand.
Upon arriving at a Thai airport, you will see various foreign currency exchange counters. However, most of them offer lower rates than the normal exchange rate. If needed urgently, you can choose to exchange a portion after passing through customs.
Thailand has ATMs available in various locations where you can directly use your bank card to withdraw Thai baht. The exchange rate is similar to that of banks, but a transaction fee is typically charged for each withdrawal.
You can also exchange Thai baht at Thai banks or at bank-operated currency exchange counters on the streets. Each bank offers a different exchange rate, so if you want a better deal, it’s a good idea to check the rates of different banks in advance.
Thailand has many foreign currency exchange shops, among which Superrich is well-known for its wide presence and high exchange rates. It is called “the best currency exchange shop in Thailand” and is divided into the Green System (Super Rich Thailand) and the Orange System (Super Rich). The green-labeled shops offer better exchange rates than the orange-labeled ones, but there are fewer green-labeled shops. Additionally, Exchange, Happy Rich, and Grand SuperRich are other currency exchange shops that also offer good rates.
- Payment
Cash Payment: This is a common payment method in Thailand.
E-wallet Payment: In recent years, the development of digital technology and the general trend have accelerated the growth of cashless payments. The use of various e-wallets is gradually increasing, including local Thai wallets (such as Line Pay, TrueMoney, ShopeePay) and cross-border payment wallets (like Alipay and WeChat Pay).
Bank Card Payment: This is very popular among Thai consumers. There are many ATMs and numerous payment scenarios that support bank card transfers.
QR Code Payment: QR PromptPay (Thailand’s QR code system) is one of the most popular payment methods for Thai consumers. It links ID numbers with phone numbers and bank accounts, making it very convenient to use.
