Sarah Lempa | vacation-thailand.com

Figuring out money in a new country can feel like a mini puzzle—especially when you’ve just landed, you’re jet-lagged, and someone is offering you a “great rate, my friend!” 🙃 The good news: Thailand is one of the easier destinations to manage financially once you understand the basics. A little prep around Thai currency, exchange rates, ATM fees, and payment habits will help you feel confident, avoid unnecessary charges, and keep your travel budget happy. Quick answer: What is the currency in Thailand? Thailand’s currency is the Thai baht, abbreviated THB and commonly shown with the ฿ symbol. 1 baht = 100 satang (satang exist, but you’ll rarely use them as a traveler). You’ll see baht coins (1, 2, 5, 10) and baht banknotes (20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000). Thailand also now has polymer (plastic) banknotes for 20, 50, and 100 baht, with the 50 and 100 polymer notes entering circulation on November 21, 2025. Thai Currency Basics: Coins, Notes, and What You’ll Actually Use Satang (the tiny coins) Technically, satang are part of the system (100 satang = 1 baht), but in everyday tourist life you can mostly forget them.If you do see them, it’s usually 25 or 50 satang, and they’re not common in most tourist transactions. Baht coins (common) You’ll regularly use: ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, ฿10 coins These are your best friends for: street snacks bottled water small tips (when appropriate) topping up exact change Baht notes (very common) The standard notes you’ll see are: ฿20 (green) ฿50 (blue) ฿100 (red) ฿500 (purple) ฿1,000 (brown) 2026 traveler tip: Because Thailand introduced polymer ฿50 and ฿100 notes (in addition to polymer ฿20), you may receive a mix of paper and polymer notes—both are valid. Finding Current Exchange Rates (Without Getting Lost in Math) Exchange rates move daily, so the best approach is: Check a live rate before you travel (and occasionally during your trip) Use a quick “mental shortcut” so prices feel intuitive What’s the USD → THB rate right now? As of late December 2025, the USD has been around ฿31–฿33 per $1, with Wise showing ~฿31.04 per $1 on December 27, 2025 and a 6-month average around ฿32.25 per $1.(Always check live rates again before you go—this is just a recent reference point.) Easy mental conversion If $1 ≈ ฿32, then: ฿320 ≈ $10 ฿1,600 ≈ $50 ฿3,200 ≈ $100 It’s close enough for travel budgeting and keeps you from overthinking every mango sticky rice purchase. Best Ways to Get Cash in Thailand (Smart + Low-Stress) Thailand is very cash-friendly, and you’ll want some on hand—especially for: night markets street food small tours tips in certain settings taxis/tuk-tuks in many areas Option A: Use an ATM (most common) ATMs are widely available in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and beach destinations. What to expect: Many Thai ATMs charge a local fee often around ฿220 per withdrawal, and some sources note fees can range higher depending on the ATM/bank. Your home bank may also add foreign transaction / ATM fees on top. Money-saving strategy: Make fewer withdrawals, but withdraw a bit more each time (within your comfort level), so you pay the local fee fewer times. Option B: Exchange cash (simple and often competitive) If you bring cash (USD/EUR are easiest), you can exchange in: airport exchange counters (convenient, but not always best) city exchange shops (often better) bank branches (reliable, sometimes slower) Verified: Popular exchange businesses that are still operating If you like using well-known exchange shops in Bangkok, these two are active and operating with current web presence and posted information/hours: SuperRich (major Bangkok exchange brand; active official site) superrich1965.com Vasu Exchange (Bangkok; official site lists hours and passport requirement) vasuexchange.co.th (As always, hours can vary on holidays—quickly check the business website the day you plan to go.) One “Scammy” Screen to Always Avoid: Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) You may be asked at an ATM or card terminal: “Do you want to be charged in USD (your home currency) or THB?” Choose THB. Always. If you pick your home currency, the machine often applies Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) with a worse exchange rate. Wise’s ATM guidance explicitly recommends withdrawing in local currency (THB) without conversion to avoid DCC markups. Quick rule:✅ Charge me in THB (local currency)❌ “Convert for me” / “Charge me in USD” Using Credit Cards in Thailand: What to Expect In many tourist areas, cards are widely accepted at: hotels nicer restaurants malls convenience stores (sometimes with rules/minimums) But in markets and small local spots, cash still wins. Watch for card surcharges Some businesses add a small percentage fee for card payments (often framed as a bank/processing fee). This is especially common in tourist-heavy areas. Tip: If you see a surcharge sign and you’re making a small purchase, just pay cash and save the fee for something fun (like a coconut ice cream… or two). Should You Tip in Thailand? This is where travelers get confused—because Thailand isn’t a “tipping culture” in the same way as the U.S. The vibe: not required, but appreciated Many guides note tipping isn’t strictly expected, but it’s appreciated for good service—especially in tourist settings. Koh Chang Island Travel Guide Practical tipping guide (easy mode) Use this as a friendly baseline: Street food vendors: usually no tip (pay the listed price; exact change is appreciated) Restaurants: if there’s no service charge, leaving a little extra or rounding up is nice; in more touristy restaurants, many travelers tip around ~10% for good service Bars: rounding up is fine; for table service or beach clubs, tipping helps Taxis: rounding up is common; agree on price (or ensure meter use) when possible Best Practices for Handling Money Smoothly (Thailand-Proof Your Wallet) 1) Carry small notes Keep a stack of ฿20s and ฿100s. Paying with a ฿1,000 note for a ฿45 snack can be… a whole situation. 2) Tell your bank you’re traveling Still worth doing. It reduces the chance of your card getting frozen “for your protection” the minute you buy pad thai. 3) Use a second payment backup Have two cards (stored separately) and a little emergency cash. Thailand is easy—until the one moment it isn’t. 4) Don’t exchange money with random individuals Stick to banks, ATMs, or established exchange shops. FAQ: Thailand Money Questions Travelers Ask Constantly What is the best currency to use in Thailand? Thai baht. It’s what everyone accepts and what prices are set in. Can you pay in U.S. dollars in Thailand? Sometimes you might find a hotel or tour operator willing to accept USD, but it’s not the norm and usually not a great deal. You’ll have a smoother trip using baht. Is it better to exchange money in Thailand or before you arrive? Most travelers do a mix: Small amount before/at arrival (so you can pay for transport, snacks, SIM, etc.) Better exchange/ATM strategy in the city once you’re settled and not rushing