If you're traveling to Thailand for a holiday, or planning on living here for work or retirement, one of your first considerations will be money, that is exchanging money and withdrawing it at ATMs (Automated Teller Machine).
In this post, I'll break down everything you need to know, so that you won't ever get caught short without enough cash, and won't spend more on bank fees than you need to.
I'll also reveal a secret tip at the end of the article that will get you a better exchange rate and save you money.
Where Are ATMs Located in Thailand?
The good news is there are plenty of ATM machines available in Thailand. You can find them at airports, malls, 7-Elevens, other convenience stores, and of course, at banks themselves, ensuring easy access to cash whenever you need it.
However, it's worth noting that rural areas may have fewer ATM locations, where it is not uncommon to find yourself in a village with only one ATM outside a local 7-Eleven. Therefore, when visiting rural areas and remote islands, it's advisable to ensure you have enough cash on hand for a couple of days.
To locate ATMs for the five largest Thai banks, you can use the links provided below to visit their ATM locator pages.
Will My Debit / Credit Card Work in Thailand?
The ATMs in Thailand accept Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and Cirrus cards. To determine if your card belongs to one of these networks, simply check the card itself for the corresponding logo.
Alternatively, you can contact your bank for confirmation.
When using an ATM, you'll also notice logos displayed on the machine indicating the types of cards it accepts.
If that isn't the case, use the Visa ATM locator or the MasterCard ATM locator to find an ATM that works with your card.
ATMs in Thailand are compatible with both chip-and-pin cards and cards with only a magnetic stripe on the back.
Both four-digit and six-digit PIN numbers will be accepted.
Is it true that withdrawals are sometimes blocked?
This can happen. The main reason is that your bank blocks the transaction, believing it to be fraudulent because it is taking place in a foreign country.
The best way to avoid a block is to phone your bank before you travel and let them know that you will be in Thailand for a period of time. They will lift any foreign transaction restrictions for you prior to travel.
Are there withdrawal limits on Thai ATMs?
The large majority of Thai ATM machines have a withdrawal limit of ฿20,000 ($550).
Some banks have higher limits such as Bangkok Bank ฿25,000 ($687), and Krungsri ฿30,000 ($830).
In terms of fees, it works out cheaper to do one large withdrawal over a number of small transactions. Remember that it's the same fee to withdraw 20,000 THB as it is to withdraw 5,000 THB.
Make sure you check with your bank to see what your card's withdrawal limit is before you travel.
* USD conversions are based on the rates at the time of writing.
What Are the Fees for Thai ATMs?
You might be surprised to know that compared to money exchanges, Thai ATM machines offer a good exchange rate.
However, and I stress this point, only if you select the option to be charged in the local currency, which is Baht (฿). And this is the secret tip I mentioned at the start of this post.
Withdrawals from ATMs in Thai Baht are converted using the mid-market rate, which is the fairest exchange rate possible.
The mid-market rate is derived from the mid-point between what the buyer is prepared to pay and what the seller is prepared to sell for.
If you select the option to be charged in your home currency, the ATM will utilize a process called Dynamic Currency Conversion to create an exchange rate.
This process involves converting the amount of a Visa or MasterCard transaction by a merchant or ATM to the currency of the payment card's country of issue at the point of sale.
However, this is always a bad deal.
Therefore, always choose “no” to this option. Similarly, when paying by debit or credit card in a restaurant or shop, it's advisable to also decline the home currency charge.
Withdrawal fees
Withdrawal fees from Thai ATMs can really add up over the course of a holiday.
The large majority of banks charge ฿200 (approximately $5.50) per transaction for withdrawals with a foreign bank card. Using a Mastercard or a Visa card increases the cost to 220 THB per transaction.
Some banks such as Aeon Bank charge less, at ฿150 per transaction (approximately $4).
And that's not all…
Your home bank will also charge fees for a foreign withdrawal.
So you will pay a local fee and a “home bank” fee. This could mean you will pay up to $8-10 per transaction!
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How to Avoid Thai ATM fees
1. Find out if your bank has a corresponding bank
None of the banks in Thailand are part of the Global ATM Alliance. However, your home bank may still have a relationship with a Thai bank that allows for free withdrawals or reduced fees.
It's best to call your bank to find out about any existing partnerships.
2. Check your card’s terms and conditions
Different banks offer cards with varying terms. Some may offer cheaper foreign transactions, and others may waive them altogether.
While this can help you avoid the fee charged by your home bank, it usually won't exempt you from the local Thai ATM fee.
That being said, if you're from the USA, Charles Schwab offers a debit card that can be used at foreign ATMs and, if the ATM charges you a fee, Charles Schwab will reimburse it o you at the end of the month. Check the banks in your home country to see if a similar deal is available.
Additionally, using a debit card rather than a credit card is often more economical. This is because credit card companies typically treat withdrawals as cash advances, which incur higher transaction fees.
3. Use a bank teller
The simplest way to avoid using ATMs is to opt for human assistance, either at the bank or at a currency exchange desk.
This method also allows you to bypass the withdrawal limit. However, please note that you may still incur a fee from your home bank.
4. Choose to be charged in local currency
As mentioned earlier, opting to be charged in the local currency rather than your home currency will save you money.
Many people make the mistake of selecting their home currency and end up being overcharged on the exchange rate.
5. Use Krungsri or Aeon for cheaper fees
At ฿150 per withdrawal, Krungsri and Aeon are cheaper than the other banks. It's not much of a saving but it all adds up over time.
6. Use a Thai ATM card
If you're a regular visitor to Thailand, or planning on living here, then you should consider opening a bank account and getting a local Thai debit card.
Thai debit cards are usually free to use when using an ATM of the same bank, and around ฿10 to ฿20 to use at another bank's ATM.
Having a local ATM card helps you avoid fees, except those you will incur when transferring money to your Thai bank from abroad.
These fees can be heavily reduced, though. See below.
7. Use Wise to avoid all fees!
If you're planning a holiday visit to a partner, family member, or friend, consider using Wise to send them money directly to their account, allowing them to withdraw it upon arrival. It's crucial to choose someone you trust for this arrangement.
Wise facilitates money transfers to Thailand at the mid-market exchange rate, without any bank fees aside from a small transaction fee. This cost-efficient method works by processing transactions locally in both your home country and Thailand, eliminating international fees altogether.
For those intending to live in Thailand, whether for work or retirement, opening a Thai bank account is essential. You can use Wise for regular transfers to your Thai bank account, enabling fee-free withdrawals using your ATM card, or incurring nominal fees when using third-party ATMs.
In Summary
Here's a bullet point summary of the key takeaways from this article:
- ATM machines are plentiful across Thailand, found in airports, malls, convenience stores, and banks, ensuring convenient access to cash.
- Rural areas and smaller islands may have fewer ATM locations, so it's wise to carry sufficient cash when visiting such areas.
- Opt for ATMs that accept Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and Cirrus cards, ensuring compatibility with your card network.
- Always choose to be charged in the local currency (Baht) to benefit from favorable exchange rates, avoiding dynamic currency conversion.
- Withdrawal fees from Thai ATMs can vary, with most banks charging around ฿200 per transaction for foreign bank cards. Aeon is cheapest a ฿150.
- Explore options to minimize fees, such as using banks with corresponding partnerships, checking card terms, or obtaining a local Thai debit card by opening a bank account.
- Consider alternative money transfer services like Wise for cost-efficient transactions, especially for regular transfers or living expenses in Thailand.
More Money Saving Tips
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Frank says
Jan 25, 2024 at 12:38 pm
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Graham Johnson says
Feb 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
Kim says
I just experienced this on Ko Lanta. Of the cluster of atms near the ferries, I spotted only 4, 3 of them were non-operational and my card was blocked on the remaining one. Unfortunately, I arrived on Sunday so the two (? I only saw the Siam Commercial Bank) banks weren't opened (the SCB atm outside the building was not working).
I contacted my bank and was told there was no hold on my account and the best way to resolve this was to go to a bank and deal with a teller because the block was on the Thailand end.
Unfortunately, I was cash poor after taking a tuk tuk to my hotel near Nui Beach, which doesn't have a lot of amenities. The tuk tuk driver stopped at another ATM maybe 10-15 minutes from the pier, but my card was blocked there as well. I kept an eye out for any atms closeby. There was an SCB one that was a 25-minute walk from where I was staying. Thankfully, I was able to pull cash out from that machine the next day. I read a few other accounts of people having issues with withdrawing money, but trying different atms usually resolved it.
I'm just putting this here because this page was one of the first to come up when I was trying to see if anybody else had issues with the atms in Thailand.
Jan 09, 2023 at 10:36 am
TheThailandLife says
Jan 09, 2023 at 5:10 pm
AlanK says
Dec 13, 2022 at 2:54 am
JamesE says
Dec 13, 2022 at 5:17 am
Graham Johnson says
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Jan 09, 2023 at 5:25 pm
Jack says
1; does the bank offer visa/mastercard rates?
2; doesnt currency exchange desks offer worse rates than visa/mastercard rates?
Dec 10, 2022 at 11:22 am
JamesE says
2: Yes. Much worse.
IMO, if you're just visiting for a short time, then get an ATM card at home that has no foreign transaction or ATM use fees. You'll still get hit by the ฿220 fee from the Thai bank but at least the damage will be limited. Better still is to get one that reimburses any ATM fee you're charged (if you can find one).
Dec 12, 2022 at 3:47 am
Jack says
2. i rarely use atm. im a card person :) i remember that citibank had zero fees during 2015.
if i have cash in my own currency, ill exchange it at the green colored Superrich.
Dec 12, 2022 at 6:00 am
Brian says
Citibank doesn't charge fees but the local ATM will. Those local ATM fees will destroy any benefit over the convenience. However, I have a CitiGold account and they pay back those local ATM fees after 30-60 days so using an ATM actually gets me the money market rate at zero cost, thus beating the next best value which is trading money at money changers. You need a $200k average balance for the CitiGold status so it's not usually an option for most. I recommend bringing cash and using money changers and credit cards for any transaction where you CAN use a credit card.
Dec 12, 2022 at 5:50 pm
JamesE says
"Cash advance" - Brian is correct but sometimes your debit card acts like a credit card, too, that's why it shows your network on the front. So, if you take your debit card to a teller or exchange desk they will run it as a cash advance into the network. Unlike the ATM out front, though, the local bank will do the exchange - bad - and you may get hit with a counter fee.
Dec 12, 2022 at 11:51 pm