Currency in and out of Thailand
Bringing currency in and out of Thailand Any person who brings or takes an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding USD$20,000 or its equivalent out of or into Thailand shall declare such amount of foreign currency to a Customs Officer.
Failure to declare upon bringing currency that exceeds the amount restricted by law or its equivalent out of or into Thailand or making any false declaration to a Customs Officer is a criminal offence.
For Thai currency (Baht), any person can bring total amount not exceed THB500,000 to any Thailand’s bounded countries and not exceed THB50,000 to any destination countries. More than that mentioned amount, you have to declare to a Customs Officer or exchange to others currency before depart from Thailand.
Further information, you can contact The Customs Department at Tel: +66-2-249-0431 or hot line no. 1164. Website: www.customs.go.th
When you do bring currency into Thailand, I always suggest exchanging your money at Superrich.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to bring money into Thailand?
A combination works best. Bring some cash in USD or EUR (exchangeable at better rates than AUD or CAD in Thailand). Use a low-fee international debit card (Wise, Revolut, or similar) for ATM withdrawals to avoid the 220 THB Thai ATM fee where possible. Notify your home bank before travel to prevent card blocks. Do not rely solely on ATMs in case of card issues on arrival.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Chiang Mai?
Money exchange booths near the Old City and Nimman Road offer competitive rates. Super Rich (chains throughout the city) is consistently recommended for good rates without the spread markups common at hotel and airport exchanges. Airport exchange counters have the worst rates. Check the rate you are getting against the mid-market rate (Google "THB to AUD" for the live rate) before exchanging.
Can I use credit or debit cards in Chiang Mai?
Widely accepted at malls, hotels, larger restaurants, Grab, and international businesses. Not accepted at street food stalls, local markets, small independent shops, tuk-tuks, motorbike parking, and many small restaurants. Carry 500 to 1,500 THB cash daily for these cash-only transactions. Thai ATMs dispense Baht; standard ATM fee is 220 THB per withdrawal for foreign cards.
Are there limits on how much cash I can bring into Thailand?
Foreign currency over 450,000 THB equivalent (approximately 16,500 AUD) must be declared on arrival. There is no limit on bringing less than this amount. Exporting Thai Baht from Thailand is limited to 50,000 THB per person without declaration. For larger amounts of local currency, declaration forms are available at customs.
How do I transfer money to Thailand from overseas?
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the most cost-effective option for most currencies, with near mid-market rates and transparent fees. Bank-to-bank international transfers via SWIFT work but involve bank fees on both ends. Some Thai banks (Bangkok Bank) have overseas branches or partner arrangements that reduce transfer costs. For regular large transfers, compare Wise against your bank's international transfer fees as the difference can be significant.
Guru Tip
Open a Wise account before you arrive in Thailand. Load it with your home currency before departure. Once in Chiang Mai, use the Wise card at ATMs to withdraw Baht at near mid-market rates with much lower fees than a standard foreign debit card. For amounts above what the ATM fee makes worthwhile, you can also transfer to a Thai bank account at competitive rates. The 220 THB Thai ATM fee on foreign cards is a fixed cost per transaction that adds up fast if you withdraw small amounts frequently. Wise minimises this if you use their card with a Thai bank ATM that does not add its own foreign card surcharge (Bangkok Bank ATMs typically do not add extra fees).
