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Money in THAILAND – 15 Worst ATM and Exchange Mistakes

ByVisitorInfo

  • 💳 ATM Card Retrieval Difference — In Thailand, ATMs dispense cash first and return the card after a delay. Many travelers forget their card, making this the most common mistake.
  • 💸 ATM Fees & Withdrawal Strategy — Standard fee: 220 THB per withdrawal (150 THB at AEON ATMs). Withdrawal limits: 20,000–30,000 THB depending on the bank. Mistake: making small withdrawals instead of maximizing limits.
  • 🏦 Bank & Home Country Fees — Some home banks add extra fees (e.g., $5 CAD per withdrawal). Travelers should notify their bank of travel plans to avoid account freezes.
  • 🌍 Wise, Revolut, and Travel Debit Cards — Digital banks like Wise and Revolut offer mid-market rates and limited free ATM withdrawals (~$200/month). US travelers benefit from Charles Schwab or Chase travel debit cards.
  • 🔄 Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Trap — Always choose to be charged in local THB, not home currency, to avoid poor exchange rates.
  • 🛡️ Multiple Cards & Skimming Protection — Expats should bring several cards linked to different accounts. Skimming and card duplication are risks in Southeast Asia. Safer to use ATMs in malls and secure areas.
  • 📞 Bank Contact Apps — Apps like Fongo provide a home-country phone number, useful if a card is frozen abroad.
  • 🏧 Cash Advance at Bank Branches — An alternative to ATMs: show passport and card at a teller. Some banks may charge fees, and not all staff understand the process. Bangkok Bank and Krungsri are more reliable options.
  • 💳 Credit Cards in Thailand — Widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, transport, and apps (Grab, food delivery, trains). Best cards have no foreign transaction fees. Beware of app-specific surcharges (e.g., Grab adds 3%). Apple Pay/Google Pay work in major outlets.
  • 💵 Bringing Cash & Exchange Mistakes — Thailand allows entry of up to 20,000 USD undeclared, but home countries often cap undeclared exports at 10,000 USD. Biggest mistake: exchanging THB abroad (worse rates). Best practice: exchange crisp, large-denomination bills at reputable Thai exchange houses like Super Rich, Happy Rich, and Oh Rich.
  • 📑 Exchange Requirements — Passport required for money exchange. Always check bills received before leaving the counter.

Insights

  • 220 THB: Standard ATM fee — shows how frequent withdrawals quickly add up.
  • 20,000–30,000 THB: ATM withdrawal limits — critical for budgeting.
  • 150 THB: AEON ATM fee — cheapest option.
  • 200 USD/month: Wise/Revolut free ATM withdrawal limit — beyond this, 1% fee applies.
  • 10,000–20,000 USD: Limits on carrying undeclared cash — important for travelers moving large sums.

* For Expats, Wise is great way to receive and transfer money to Thailand. Schwab debit cards also have no foreign transaction fees and will reimburse you for ATM fees.

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