23/06/2026
💸 Bangkok is one of Asia's best value destinations but only if you know how to handle your money.
Here's everything you need to sort before you land 👇
💱 Where to Exchange
Skip the airport bank counters, the rates are poor and you'll regret it. Head to SuperRich located at the bottom floor of the airport or any reputable money changer in the city instead, easy to find near BTS stations and inside major malls. The difference on a $500 exchange can be 100–200 THB in your pocket.
🏧 ATMs — Use Sparingly
Thai ATMs charge foreign cards around 220 THB (~$6) per withdrawal, on top of whatever your home bank charges. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to save on fees.
📱 Scan & Pay Like a Local — PromptPay QR
Almost every shop, market stall, and even tuk tuk in Thailand has a small QR code displayed somewhere. This is PromptPay, Thailand's national QR payment network, it's how locals pay for nearly everything instead of cash.
🌏 Travelling from Asia? Thailand has direct QR links with several countries: Singapore (PayNow), Malaysia (DuitNow), Indonesia (QRIS), Hong Kong (FPS), and Japan (JP Bank Pay). Your bank app may already scan Thai QR codes directly. Check before downloading anything new.
If your bank doesn't support this yet, here's the tourist-friendly backup:
👉 TAGTHAi Easy Pay: an e-wallet built for foreign visitors, developed with Kasikorn Bank.
• Visit a KBank exchange booth (airports, BTS stations, malls like Siam Paragon or ICONSIAM) with your passport
• Exchange cash for a PAY&TOUR prepaid card: free, no application fee
• Download the TAGTHAi app, link your card, and you're set to scan and pay anywhere
• Leftover balance refunded at the same exchange rate when you leave
⚠️ Honest note: the app can be a little slow at times, and top-ups are cash-only at KBank counters.
🇨🇳 For Chinese travellers: Alipay and WeChat Pay now work directly with Thai QR codes at participating banks, no extra card needed — though smaller street vendors may still prefer cash.
💵 Cash is Still King for These
• Street food stalls
• Tuk tuks & motorcycle taxis
• Local markets (Mae Klong, Chatuchak, Pak Khlong Talat)
• Temple entrance fees
Keep small bills, many vendors can't break a 1,000 THB note.
Save this before your trip, you'll thank yourself later.
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