Money and Payments

Asok · Experience date Feb 18, 2026

Thai ATM withdrawal limit: 20,000 THB per transaction, 30,000 THB per day for most foreign cards. For larger cash needs: visit a bank branch with passport for over-the-counter withdrawal (up to 500,000 THB with ID). With a Thai bank account: limits are higher — KBank allows 50,000 THB/day ATM withdrawal. Cash is still needed in Bangkok: night markets, street food, motorcycle taxis, and traditional markets. Budget to have 3,000–5,000 THB cash on hand at all times.

Sathorn · Experience date Jan 1, 2026

PromptPay is Thailand's government-backed instant payment system linked to Thai ID number or mobile number. Register through your Thai bank app — links your +66 mobile number to your bank account. Receive instant transfers from any Thai bank account. Cost: free under 100,000 THB. Essential for: splitting restaurant bills (QR code), paying small vendors, receiving client payments. Most Thai businesses of any size accept PromptPay QR payment. Foreigners can register PromptPay with their passport number instead of Thai ID.

Sathorn · Experience date Mar 17, 2026

Tipping in Bangkok: not mandatory but appreciated. Restaurants: 20–50 THB for service, or round up the bill. Hotels: 20 THB per bag for porter, 50–100 THB/night for housekeeping. Taxi: round up to the nearest 10 THB. Grab: no tip function in standard service. Massage: 50–100 THB tip after a 1-hour traditional massage (this is culturally important — therapists rely on tips heavily). Hair salon: 50–100 THB. Street food: tipping not expected or typical. Budget 2,000–3,000 THB/month for tipping if you use services regularly.

Silom · Experience date Nov 29, 2025

Wise works well for Bangkok expats receiving money from abroad — Wise gives you local bank details in multiple currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) and converts at mid-market rate to THB. Transfer typically arrives same day. For sending out of Thailand: Wise works but above $5,000 may require compliance verification. Alternative for large outward transfers: Bangkok Bank SWIFT is reliable. Wise's Thai Baht account does not offer a local bank account number — incoming transfers go to your Wise wallet and can be withdrawn from Thai ATMs via Wise card.

Ari · Experience date Nov 20, 2025

True Money Wallet is Thailand's leading e-wallet (similar to AliPay). Top up at 7-Eleven, Family Mart, or via Thai bank transfer. Used for: paying at TrueMove H for phone bills, online shopping, peer-to-peer transfers, and increasingly at retail shops and street food vendors via QR code. Requires Thai mobile number registration. Not as universally accepted as PromptPay for personal transfers, but widely used for online shopping on Thai e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee Thailand.

Sukhumvit · Experience date Dec 18, 2025

Bangkok has the best cash exchange rates in Southeast Asia if you use the right shops. Superrich (orange, at Asok/Central World, open until 9pm) consistently offers the best USD/THB rates — within 0.2–0.5% of mid-market. Better than all banks. Also: K79 Money Exchange in Sukhumvit soi 7 area, Vasu Foreign Exchange near Silom. Airport exchange: 3–6% below market — exchange only emergency amounts. For larger amounts ($1,000+): Superrich Thailand is recommended by virtually every Bangkok expat.

Asok · Experience date Apr 22, 2026

Bangkok expat financial vulnerability: visa status changes (overstay fines, deportation costs), medical emergencies (excellent private hospitals but expensive without insurance), natural disasters (Bangkok floods historically), and economic downturns affecting expat job market. Emergency fund recommendation: 3 months of total Bangkok living expenses (90,000–150,000 THB for mid-range lifestyle). Keep in a liquid account — a Wise multi-currency account in USD is ideal as a Bangkok emergency fund that doesn't lose value to THB fluctuation.