Thailand Currency Exchange Guide & Tips – Best Rates and Where to Get Them!

It’s a wise part of an overall money plan when visiting Thailand to bring some of you’re own currency and use one of the many Thailand currency exchange services.

While there are plenty of ATMs in every city and town in Thailand, using them frequently can end up racking up fees from the ATM and maybe your bank card issuer.

Having some of your own currency, especially USD (which can be used in neighbouring countries), will save money, although travellers do have to consider the safety aspect of amounts carried and the possibility of losing money.

Never buy your Thai baht in your home country if a good rate is of concern. They always offer less for your money than exchanging in Thailand (a lot less).

Arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok)

If you’re arriving at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport you’re likely to be needing cash quite soon, even if just for the taxi fee. The exchange booths and banks here offer less than the street, bank, and exchange shops, but if you just need around 1000 – 2000 THB it’s no big loss until you can find a better exchange rate. Just don’t exchange big amounts at the airport if getting the best rate is important to you.

You have the option of using an ATM (cash machine) at the airport. That’s fine if you’re not planning to exchange cash, but if you’re withdrawing a small amount you’ll have the 220 THB fee (6 USD +) and possible bank fees. Exchanging a small amount until you can get a better rate would make sense rather than using the ATM if you have a large sum of cash to exchange. More about ATMs in Thailand here.

Best Currency Exchange Shops

The best currency exchange rate you’ll get in Thailand is dependent on where you are exchanging in the country. Bangkok has the most options offering good rates, and many other places such as Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket have various decent options.

I was going to add links to a few websites, but after my antivirus just blocked malware from one I will have to give that a miss. Many of these Thai websites are old and/or don’t have enough security to link to them. I don’t want your device or my website to get infected, but I will leave you the name of the websites.

Check Daily Rates First

Check what rates the main competitors are offering via daytodaydata.net. You’ll see in the picture below the best companies to use, which are primarily in Bangkok (there are some of these in others places in Thailand).

You’ll notice that Superrich, SIA Money Exchange, and Vasu Exchange offer the best rates and then the banks.

Superrich is a part of the name of three companies just to help confuse people. There is not much between them in terms of getting the best rate (a few Thai satangs = not even pennies), and for most tourists, the best bet is finding a good local rate where you are rather than using transport to get there.

Superrich 1 (superrich 1965)– Web: superrich1965.com. Orange shop, website colour, and logo. I have used the Silom branch on occasions which I wrote about here. They have a few branches and booths in Bangkok, but the Silom, Thai Airways, and main office (47/11-13 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok. 10330) offer the best rates, and they buy or sell.

Supperich 2 – Web: superrichthailand.com. Green shop, website and logo. Various branches, although the main headquarters (45 Rajdamri 1 Rajdamri Rd. Lumpini Patumwan Bangkok 10330) offer the best rate as others are franchises, so I believe.

Supperich 3 (grandsuperrich) – Web: grandsuperrich.com. Blue website, logo and shop front. Located near the above superrich shops (21, 23, 25 Soi Ratchadamri 1, Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330).

–Why not choose another name, I ask, like richexchange, superexhange or anything else to stop the confusion? It’s just one of those TIT (This is Thailand) things.

Vasu Exchange – Web: vasuexchange.com. They have one shop I am aware of (133-133/1 Sukhumvit Rd (Soi 7/1), Vadhana, Bangkok 10110). Many people use these, and they promote them rather than the superrich shops. I always stuck with superrich orange until recently and now use Vasu (ease of location).

SIA Exchange – Web: sia-moneyexchange.com. They have two offices, and the main one is situated in Makkasan (1091/156-7 Soi Petchaburi 33, New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400). I can’t say much about these as there’s not much feedback, and they’re a little out of the way for most tourists.

Other Booths/Kiosks
There are many other kiosks around Thailand, with some offering better rates than others. The bank booths do not offer the same rate as going inside the bank; it’s lower. If you check with daytodaydata.net you’ll get an idea of how good the rate is on offer while you are at the kiosk.

There may be other exchange offices and places that I know the expat forum users mention which are great for those frequently exchanging or cashing in larger amounts, but for the average traveller, the above is going to suit them fine.

Larger Notes: Large notes at many exchange places often yield a better rate than smaller denominations. It’s also worth taking clean and crisp notes if possible.

Longer-Term Solutions

Many travellers visit Thailand at least once or twice a year for a month or more. For these people, it’s worth finding a longer-term solution such as opening a bank account in Thailand and either transferring a large amount from companies like Wise, Currencies Direct, and Azimo – or bringing your cash over, exchanging it, and then putting it straight into the Thai account.