How to get the best exchange rate in Thailand

Pattaya has more money changers per square kilometre than almost anywhere in Thailand, and their rates can differ by 1–3% on the same day. This guide explains how the booths work and how to get the most Baht for your cash.

1. Read the board: "Buy" is what you get

Every booth shows two columns. Buying is the rate the shop pays you when you hand over foreign cash (foreign → Baht). Selling is what you pay to buy foreign currency with Baht. As a visitor you almost always care about the buying column. THX lists the buying rate by default and lets you switch to selling.

2. Big notes get a better rate

Most shops quote by denomination: a US$100 note earns more Baht per dollar than a US$20, and ¥10,000 notes are quoted separately from ¥1,000. The difference can be 1–2%. Bring the largest clean, undamaged notes you can. Torn, written-on or very old notes (pre-2006 US dollars in particular) may be refused or discounted.

3. Where the best rates are (example: Pattaya — every city has its own page with today's ranking)

• Second Road (Pattaya Sai Song) and Central Pattaya — the highest concentration of booths and usually the best rates in town.
• Shopping malls — Central Pattaya (1st floor) and Terminal 21 have Superrich branches; T.T. has booths in both malls and in Big C. Convenient, air-conditioned, and competitive.
• Soi Buakhao and Jomtien — plenty of booths; rates are typically a touch lower than on Second Road, so check THX before you walk.
• Hotels and the airport — generally the worst rates. Change only what you need for the taxi.

4. Bring your passport

Thai anti-money-laundering rules require licensed money changers to record your passport for every transaction. A photo of the passport on your phone is usually accepted for small amounts, but carry the original to be safe.

5. Cash or ATM?

Thai ATMs charge a fixed fee of 220 Baht per withdrawal to foreign cards, on top of whatever your own bank charges, and the machine's "dynamic currency conversion" offer should always be declined. For amounts above roughly 10,000 Baht, exchanging cash at a good booth usually beats an ATM. Cards such as Wise or Revolut narrow the gap for everyday spending.

6. Check the rate before you go

Rates on the boards change several times a day, following the interbank market. THX collects the published rates from each shop's own website every few minutes, so the ranking you see is what the shops themselves are quoting right now. Always confirm the figure on the board before handing over your money — the board is final.

7. Count and keep the receipt

Count the Baht in front of the teller before leaving the window. Licensed shops always issue a receipt; keep it in case of a dispute.

FAQ

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