When you arrive in Thailand, the first thing you should do is exchange your money. You won’t be able to pay with foreign currency just about everywhere. That’s why it makes sense to find a currency exchange booth at the airport that offers a favorable rate. This will allow you to get local currency with minimal commission fees.
Convenience. Every airport has several currency exchange counters. This allows you to choose the option that best suits your needs without leaving the airport. As a result, you’ll head into the city already with local currency. You can use it, for example, to pay for a taxi to your hotel. Many travelers start their trip by exchanging currency at the airport in Thailand—it’s fast, convenient, and eliminates the need to search for an ATM or exchange office upon arrival.
Instant access to Thai baht. Since foreign currency is exchanged for local currency immediately, travelers can reduce their expenses on various fees.
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Currency exchange offices at airports
Suvarnabhumi. Here, you need to go down to Level B (basement). You’ll find several exchange offices there.
Phuket. All exchange offices here are located in the arrivals area.
U-Tapao. You can find an exchange office on the first floor of the airport.
Pros and Cons of Exchanging Currency at Thai Airports
Преимущества:
Immediate access to local currency. Baht is available at all exchange counters, so you won’t have to convert your money, for example, first to dollars, then to euros, and only then to the local currency. This helps you avoid unnecessary costs. It’s better to choose currency exchange without double conversion right away—that way, you’ll save more money for your vacation.
Multilingual services for tourists. Staff at Thai airports speak several languages. This simplifies communication and allows you to get additional information on the spot (for example, how to get to your hotel, attractions, the beach, etc.).
Disadvantages:
Less favorable exchange rates. Airport staff take advantage of tourists’ predicament (who need to exchange money immediately upon arrival simply to be able to get to their hotel). As a result, the exchange rate for the baht against foreign currencies is generally inflated here. To minimize financial losses, it is recommended to withdraw only the amount you need for the first few days at the airport. After that, it makes sense to find a more favorable exchange office in the city.
If you want to make your life much easier and avoid worrying about money in Thailand, you can use Senate Exchange. We exchange any currency for Thai baht both remotely and upon your arrival in Thailand. You no longer need to worry about running out of money or figuring out how to get a card that works. Just stay in touch with us!
And one more thing. When exchanging currency, the staff at these exchange offices pay close attention to the condition of the bills. Therefore, if someone arrives in the country with old dollars, the exchange rate they receive will be even higher.
Alternatives to currency exchange at the airport
The airport isn’t the only place where you can exchange money. In Thailand, you can also use ATMs for this purpose.
Until 2022, it was possible to pay in Thailand using standard bank cards. After sanctions were imposed on most banks, such transactions became impossible. Tinkoff held out “until the very end,” but now it too has been banned. Consequently, bank cards in Thailand are nothing more than “a piece of plastic”: they cannot even be used for online transactions.
The only multi-currency card that can be obtained in your country and used for payments in Thailand is UnionPay. You can open accounts in various currencies on these cards, including baht. The main advantage of these financial products is that all currency exchange transactions can be conducted within the network. Therefore, fees are minimal.
Pattaya. Senate Exchange and TT Exchange are particularly popular here. These are the names of currency exchange chains whose offices (most often simple kiosks) can be found in virtually every part of the city. Statistics show that their exchange rate is about 2% more favorable than elsewhere. If you plan to exchange currency in Pattaya, these options are among the most reliable and profitable.
Phuket, Hua Hin, and Bangkok. Here, it makes sense to check out Senate Exchange.
Samui. People who live here permanently are convinced that the best exchange office on the island is the kiosk located in Chaweng, next to McDonald’s. But you can also exchange currency online at Senate Exchange.
Please note! Currency exchange in Thailand is only permitted at official exchange offices. Do not trust street vendors who approach you offering their services. More than half of them are scammers.
FAQ
Is it worth exchanging money at Phuket Airport?
You can exchange currency at Phuket Airport, but the rates there are usually less favorable than at exchange offices in the city. It is recommended to exchange a small amount for initial expenses (such as a taxi or food) and exchange the bulk of your funds later, once you’re in the city. Currency exchange rates in Phuket outside the airport are generally 1–1.5% more favorable, especially at places like Senate Exchange.
Is it better to bring US dollars or Chinese yuan to Thailand?
When planning a trip to Thailand, it is recommended to bring US dollars. This currency is widely accepted at exchange offices and banks throughout the country, offering more favorable exchange rates compared to other currencies. Exchanging dollars for baht is particularly advantageous if you have large bills in denominations of 50 or 100 dollars—these are most often accepted at a more attractive rate. Although you can also exchange yuan, there are fewer suitable exchange offices, and the rate is less favorable. Therefore, dollars are the optimal choice in terms of both availability and value.
Which is better to use in Thailand: an ATM or a currency exchange?
When planning financial transactions in Thailand, it is important to consider the specifics of using ATMs and currency exchange offices. Thai ATMs typically charge a fixed fee of about 220 baht per transaction, which may be supplemented by your bank’s fee for international transactions. The exchange rates applied by banks may be less favorable than those at currency exchange offices. Specialized currency exchange offices offer competitive terms: there are no explicit fees, and their profit comes from the spread between the buying and selling rates. If you want to get a good exchange rate in Thailand, it’s best to find a reliable exchange office with a good reputation in advance. When exchanging large amounts, it is preferable to use specialized exchange offices. For small amounts or urgent cash needs, ATMs can be a convenient option, despite the fees. The choice between ATMs and exchange offices depends on the amount and the availability of reliable exchange offices in the desired location.
Want to exchange currency выгодно in Thailand?
Avoid ATM fees and unfavorable airport rates. Senate Exchange offers transparent conditions, reliability, and fair exchange rates.
In your home country, before traveling to Thailand. This is considered the best option. The only problem is that it’s not that easy to find a place to exchange dollars for baht. We offer dollar-to-baht exchange services.
At the airport upon arrival. Not a bad option. The only thing is, due to the less-than-favorable exchange rate, you shouldn’t exchange all your money here.
In the city. The most accessible and easiest option. The main thing is not to forget that you can only exchange currency at official exchange offices. This will help you avoid falling into the hands of scammers. We look forward to seeing you at our office!
It’s best to take care of currency exchange matters while you’re still in your home country. You can do this at the airport, but it’s better not to exchange the entire amount there. It’s enough to withdraw just enough cash to get to your hotel. It makes more sense to exchange the rest in the city.
Thai Baht/Russian Ruble฿0.458
Thai Baht/US Dollar฿32.92
Thai Baht/Euro฿37.987
Thai Baht/Kazakhstani Tenge฿0.067
Thai Baht/Ukrainian Hryvnia฿0.733
