Currency Exchange in Thailand: What to Bring and Which Rate to Read

Change money at a bank branch or a licensed changer that shows a Ministry of Finance permit and a licence number, and bring your passport. When you hand over foreign cash, read the Buying Rate column on the board; when you hand over baht, read the Selling Rate.

In Bangkok, change cash at one of the well-rated booths below, and bring your passport. In Phuket and Chiang Mai, use the city lists linked under the table. Bring your passport to a licensed changer, and read the Buying Rate column when you hand over foreign cash and the Selling Rate when you hand over baht.

Where to change in Bangkok

SuperRich Exchange Ratchadamri: the flagship

The Ratchadamri flagship is rated 4.8 from 921 reviews, the most-reviewed booth in this list, and the chain has more branches in malls and at Asok. Good for friendly staff.

Ratchadamri, near Central World · Open daily 9AM–8PM · Tel 02 057 8888 · SuperRich website (opens in a new tab) · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Siam Exchange: Siam side

Siam Exchange is rated 4.7 from 554 reviews, a short walk from the Siam shopping area. Good for a fast exchange with little waiting. Skip it if a brusque counter would put you off.

Phaya Thai Road, near Siam · Open Mon–Fri 9:30AM–6PM, Sat 9:30AM–4PM, Sun closed · Tel 02 216 4782 · siamexchange.co.th (opens in a new tab) · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Vasu Exchange: lower Sukhumvit

Vasu is rated 4.5 from 482 reviews, the pick if you stay around Nana on lower Sukhumvit. Good for a fast exchange.

Sukhumvit Road, near Nana · Open Mon–Fri 9AM–6PM, Sat 9AM–5PM, Sun closed · Tel 02 251 1859 · vasuexchange.co.th (opens in a new tab) · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

SuperRich Exchange MRT Sukhumvit: Asok interchange

This SuperRich branch is rated 4.5 from 249 reviews and sits at the Asok interchange, handy on the way through. Good for a quick exchange without a long line.

Asok, at MRT Sukhumvit · Open daily 10:30AM–8PM · Tel 02 057 8888 · SuperRich website (opens in a new tab) · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

UC Currency Exchange: Khlong Toei side

UC is rated 4.8 from 124 reviews, a smaller booth on a side street off Sukhumvit Road in Khlong Toei. Good for a friendly owner.

Sukhumvit, Khlong Toei · Open Mon–Sat 9AM–8:30PM, Sun closed · Tel 081 399 9903 · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

For rated booths outside Bangkok, see currency exchange in Phuket (opens in a new tab) and currency exchange in Chiang Mai (opens in a new tab).

How to read the board

On Superrich’s board the Buying Rate is foreign currencies to Thai baht, and the Selling Rate is Thai baht to foreign currencies. A bank says the same thing in other words: Bank Buys is the rate at which it purchases foreign currency from you, and Bank Sells is the rate at which it sells foreign currency to you.

Banks keep a separate Notes rate for cash. For foreign cash into baht, SCB applies Bank Buys, Notes, and for baht into foreign cash it applies Bank Sells, Notes. Check the rate before every transaction, because rates may vary between locations of the same bank.

Airport counters

Kasikornbank runs fee-free exchange counters at Suvarnabhumi, open 24 hours a day. The arrival counters sit on floor 2 of the Main Terminal. Read the board before you hand over cash, as at any counter.

Cards and ATMs

If a merchant or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, the rate includes additional fees. The choice is yours, and the merchant or ATM must not choose on your behalf. Declining does not stop the purchase or the withdrawal.

At a Krung Thai ATM the conversion fee is 4% of the amount withdrawn, charged on top of the access fee when you select the service. KBank charges THB 250 for Visa, and Krung Thai charges THB 220. The full comparison is in Thailand ATM fees for foreign cards.

Rules and paperwork

Pick a licensed changer

A licensed changer displays its Ministry of Finance permit in the office, along with a statement carrying its licence number. No permit and no number on the wall means you walk on. Banks run their own boards, and SCB splits its board into Bank Sells and Bank Buys.

Every purchase or sale comes with a record, which the changer gives you. Keep it, because you need proof of purchase if you carry foreign cash out later.

What the counter asks for

The Bank of Thailand notice draws its line at THB 50,000.

A changer may sell you foreign notes for travel up to THB 800,000 a day, while foreign cash you sell to a changer has no limit. Superrich, a changer you will see all over Bangkok, charges no commission or fees and does not exchange coins.

Cash in, cash out

Baht and foreign banknotes may be brought into Thailand without an amount limit. A Customs declaration applies above THB 450,000 in baht or USD 15,000 in foreign banknotes. The steps are in Thailand cash declaration limit.

Taking foreign banknotes out is capped at the amount purchased from authorised banks or money changers.

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Not confirmed: No source read ranks changers or says which one pays the best rate, so compare the boards on the day. The airport counters' rates are not posted online.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not financial or tax advice for your situation. Rules and fees change; confirm with your bank, the Revenue Department or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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