What is the best card to use in Thailand?

For ATM withdrawals: Charles Schwab Investor Checking (US) or Starling Bank (UK) which both reimburse all international ATM fees. For card purchases: any travel card with 0 percent FX fees (Chase Sapphire, Revolut, Wise card). Most standard bank cards have fees that add 3 to 5 percent to every transaction.

How much is the Thai ATM fee for foreign cards?

220 baht flat fee per withdrawal, charged by the Thai ATM operator. This applies to all non-Thai-bank cards. It is separate from any fees your own bank charges. To minimize impact, withdraw 5,000 to 10,000 baht at a time rather than smaller amounts.

Does my credit card work in Thailand?

Visa and Mastercard credit cards work widely at hotels, malls, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants. American Express is accepted at major hotels and fewer restaurants. Most local restaurants, street food, markets, and transport are cash only. Always carry adequate cash.

Is Thailand cash or card?

Both, depending on the context. Bangkok is the most card-friendly with widespread card acceptance. Outside Bangkok, particularly in rural areas and on smaller islands, cash is the primary means of payment. Local food, local transport, temples, and small guesthouses are almost always cash only.

Can I use Google Pay or Apple Pay in Thailand?

Increasingly yes, at larger retailers, supermarkets, and some coffee shops in Bangkok and major cities. Thai QR code payment (PromptPay) is the dominant contactless payment system for Thais; foreigners can link Wise to this system in some configurations. Apple Pay and Google Pay are less universally accepted than in Western countries.

What is the best way to carry money in Thailand?

A mix: the equivalent of $100 to $200 in baht cash for daily spending, a no-ATM-fee debit card (Schwab or Starling) for ATM access, and a no-FX-fee travel credit card for card purchases. Keep cash in a secure location (hotel safe or money belt) rather than all in a wallet.

Are there ATMs everywhere in Thailand?

In Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and major tourist areas: yes, very common. In smaller towns and on islands: ATMs exist but may be fewer and can run out of cash on busy weekends. On very small or remote islands, there may be one ATM or none. Carry adequate cash before heading to remote areas.

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The 220-Baht ATM Fee Problem

Every Thai ATM charges a 220-baht foreign card fee for non-Thai-bank cards. This is a flat fee per transaction regardless of how much you withdraw. If you pull 2,000 baht, you pay 220 baht in fees (11 percent). If you pull 10,000 baht, you still pay 220 baht (2.2 percent). The strategy is clear: withdraw larger amounts less frequently.

The 220-baht fee is charged by the Thai bank operating the ATM. It is separate from any fees your home bank charges for international ATM use or any exchange rate margin. Even cards that "reimburse ATM fees" are reimbursing fees charged by your own bank; the Thai ATM surcharge is usually a separate line item that not all banks reimburse.

Cards That Reimburse the Thai ATM Fee

Charles Schwab High-Yield Investor Checking (US): reimburses all ATM fees worldwide at the end of each month, including the Thai ATM surcharge. Uses the Visa exchange rate which is close to mid-market. No foreign transaction fee. This is the most recommended card for US-based Thailand travelers and expats. The downside: requires a US address and SSN, and opening takes 1 to 2 weeks.

Starling Bank (UK): free UK account with no foreign transaction fees and genuine ATM fee reimbursement internationally. Works on Mastercard network. Limited to UK residents. The most equivalent UK option to Schwab.

Wise debit card: reimbursement is more limited (two free ATM withdrawals per month up to 100 GBP equivalent, then fees apply). Best used for the first two withdrawals each month, then switched to another card.

Cards to Avoid in Thailand

Any card that charges a foreign transaction fee (FX fee) of 1 to 3 percent: every purchase you make in Thailand costs you that percentage on top of the exchange rate spread. Over a month of spending, this adds up significantly. Most standard US credit cards from banks (not travel cards) and many UK bank debit cards have this fee. Check before you travel.

UK high-street bank debit cards (Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays standard) typically charge 2.99 percent FX fee plus their own ATM fee. On top of the 220-baht Thai ATM fee, the total cost of each cash withdrawal is significant.

Credit Cards in Thailand

Credit cards work for hotel bookings, larger restaurants, and most shopping malls. Many smaller restaurants, local markets, and street stalls are cash only. Bangkok is the most card-friendly city in Thailand; islands and rural areas are more cash-dependent. Carry enough cash for anywhere you might need it.

Good travel credit cards (Chase Sapphire Preferred for US, American Express Platinum for UK, Revolut Premium for Europe) offer 0 percent FX fees and are worth using for card-accepted purchases. They do not solve the ATM fee problem, which is why a separate no-fee debit card (Schwab, Starling) is still useful.

Cash vs Card in Different Situations

Cash required: street food, local markets, temples and national parks, local transport (songthaews, tuk-tuks), small guesthouses. Card usually accepted: large hotels and resorts, shopping malls, major supermarkets (Tesco, Big C, Central), mid-range to upscale restaurants. Both: convenience stores (7-Eleven accepts cards).

Practical Strategy

The most cost-effective approach: use a Charles Schwab or Starling card for ATM withdrawals (fee reimbursed), use a no-FX-fee travel credit card for card purchases, and carry enough cash for 2 to 3 days of daily expenses. Withdraw 5,000 to 10,000 baht at a time to minimize the per-transaction impact of the 220-baht Thai ATM fee.

ATM Withdrawal Costs

Thai ATMs charge a 220 baht fee per foreign card withdrawal, regardless of how much you withdraw or which bank issues your card. This fee is charged by the Thai ATM operator, not your home bank. The only way to avoid it is using a bank account issued by the same Thai bank (KBank ATM with a KBank account), or using a Wise or Revolut card with a monthly free withdrawal allowance.

If you use a foreign card at Thai ATMs, withdraw the maximum amount each time to minimise the per-transaction fee. Thai ATMs typically allow up to 20,000 baht per withdrawal, sometimes 30,000 baht at some machines. Withdrawing 20,000 baht at a cost of 220 baht represents a 1.1% fee. Withdrawing 5,000 baht per transaction multiplies the fee to 4.4% per baht received. The math strongly favors larger, less frequent withdrawals.

Cards That Work Best in Thailand

For non-Thai residents visiting or living in Thailand, the cards with the lowest total cost are those that offer zero foreign transaction fees and reimburse the Thai ATM fee. Charles Schwab International (for US residents) refunds all ATM fees worldwide including the Thai 220 baht charge. Revolut and Wise offer a monthly free ATM withdrawal allowance before fees apply. Starling (UK) has no foreign transaction fees and a low ATM fee structure.

Standard credit cards from US, UK, and Australian banks typically charge 1 to 3 percent foreign transaction fees plus the Thai ATM fee. On a 50,000 baht monthly withdrawal, a 2% foreign transaction fee costs 1,000 baht per month in addition to the ATM fee. Switching to a no-fee card before moving to Thailand saves 10,000 to 15,000 baht per year for an active spender.