Paying in Thailand | Info on currency, cash & credit cards

Pay free of charge in Thailand

awa7 VISA

For payments in Thailand, we recommend the awa7 VISA® credit card, as payments with your awa7® are free of charge worldwide. This also applies abroad and for payments in foreign currencies. It is also a very flexible credit card with fair and transparent conditions. There is no monthly or annual fee for this VISA credit card. And there are also no fees for paying in stores or when shopping online. No matter how often you...

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Credit card

Hanseatic GenialCard

The Hanseatic Bank GenialCard is a real all-rounder for making payments in Thailand. With this credit card, you can enjoy full flexibility and save money at the same time. Pay worldwide - including in Thailand - free of charge and without foreign currency fees. Whether you're shopping in Bangkok or filling up your tank on a Thai island, there are no hidden fees with the GenialCard. There is no annual fee and you can make repayments flexibly in small installments. So you are well equipped...

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Credit card

TF Mastercard Gold

The TF Mastercard for €0 annual fee is a fee-free credit card for every occasion that we have tested for you - with impressive results! Whether in everyday life or when traveling, you benefit from many advantages: no annual fee, worldwide fee-free payments and cash withdrawals, as well as flexible installment payments. There are no foreign currency fees in Thailand with this credit card. The card also offers free travel insurance and attractive cashback offers. With the TF Mastercard Gold you are well equipped and...

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Credit card

DKB current account

With the DKB current accountª and the free VISA debit card, you are well prepared for your trip to Thailand. There are no account management fees if you have a monthly cash inflow of 700 euros or if you are under 28 years of age. The card allows you to make payments and withdraw cash worldwide free of charge - even in foreign currencies. You can only spend as much as is available in your account, so there is no interest trap. DKB also offers an easy-to-use banking app with which you can manage your finances...

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Tips for paying in Thailand

Providers of no-fee credit cards earn money with interest. In other words, if you pay with the card and do not "repay the debt promptly". If you only use the following credit cards as a means of payment, you don't have to pay any interest and can pay everything free of charge except for the ATM fee. The easiest way is to set up your online banking so that all payments are debited directly from your current account, then everything remains free of charge.
Keyword: 100% Settlement by direct debit.

Icon | In Thailand you should have a credit card with you.

Can I pay with a credit card in Thailand?

Yes, in Thailand it is generally possible to pay with a credit card. Credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, stores and tourist facilities. The most common credit cards in Thailand include Visa and MasterCard.

Icon | In Thailand you should have cash with you.

Do you really need cash in Thailand?

Yes, it is advisable to always have some cash with you in Thailand. Especially for remote areas, smaller stores, markets or for food in food stalls, cash is usually required. In addition, many cabs and the popular tuk-tuks often only accept cash.

How do you get Thai cash for a trip?

Money exchange in Germany, money exchange in Thailand or ATM in Thailand. Banks and bureaux de change charge hefty fees for changing euros into baht. Withdrawing money from an ATM in Thailand can also be quite expensive.

What should I bear in mind when changing money in Thailand?

The safest way to exchange your cash is to go to an official exchange office as soon as you arrive at the airport in Bangkok or Phuket. However, the exchange rates there are usually the most expensive! You are most likely to get a fair exchange rate in urban areas.

Can I withdraw cash free of charge in Thailand?

The cheapest option is to withdraw money locally from an ATM using a credit card. But be careful! Use a card that does not charge any additional fees. We recommend the awa7 VISAas this credit card is free of charge and you can pay and withdraw money worldwide free of charge. There are also no foreign currency fees.

Withdrawing money in Thailand costs 220 THB (approx. 6 EUR)!

If you have the awa7 VISA only the fees from the ATM itself apply. We have tried many ATMs from different banks throughout Thailand and they all charge a fee of 220 THB. In plain language, this means that withdrawing money in Thailand costs around EUR 6. It doesn't matter how much money you withdraw. Ideally, you should withdraw a large sum at the beginning of your trip.

Always reject the currency conversion option (DCC)!

Some ATMs offer you a currency conversion (DCC). You should refuse this! This is because the amount is debited from the credit card in euros instead of the local currency. The disadvantage is that an exchange rate surcharge is charged. As the awa7 VISA does not charge foreign currency fees, there are no costs if it is debited in Thai currency.

Three important tips for paying in Thailand!

Tip 1: Make sure that your credit card does not charge any foreign currency fees.
Tip 2: When withdrawing money from an ATM, you must decline the currency conversion (DCC).
Tip 3: To avoid interest, you need to clear your credit card quickly.
With these three tips you can avoid all currency costs on your trip to Thailand (only the ATM fee remains).

Payment methods for Thailand in comparison

The currency in Thailand

The baht is the currency of Thailand. The Thai currency is generally used everywhere. You can currently get around 37 baht for 1 euro. The 1000 baht bill therefore has a value of around €26 (as of April 2023). One baht is divided into 100 satang (also stang; abbreviation: stg.). 25 satang is one salueng. There are coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht. There are also coins of 25 and 50 satang, but these are only used in larger supermarkets. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 baht.

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Pay with your smartphone in Thailand

All of the credit cards we recommend (e.g. the awa7 VISA) can be easily linked with Apple Pay and Google Pay. This means you can also pay with your smartphone or smartwatch at all terminals that support contactless payment. This is usually no problem in hotels and supermarkets in Thailand. However, please note that you will often need cash at local markets and street food stalls. Mobile payments via messenger apps are also very popular. The best-known system in Thailand is the app "Line Pay". All you need is the app and a registered user account, which must be linked to your personal bank account and verified. Payment on site is made via an individual QR code, which is held over a reader at the checkout (similar to a contactless debit or credit card). Other well-known mobile payment systems in Thailand are Alipay or WeChat Pay. Also PayPal is increasingly accepted as a fast and reliable payment method.

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Tips on paying for a longer stay in Thailand

If you are planning a longer trip to Thailand or are staying in the country regularly for business/private reasons, it may be a good idea to apply for a Thai bank card. Most debit cards issued in Thailand are linked to the national payment system "PromptPay" connected. This system makes it possible to send payments in real time from your bank account to the recipient - without paying any fees. You can also pay with PromptPay in many stores.