Exchange Booth vs ATM vs Card: Where to Get the Best Baht Rate

Three options for getting baht: card payment, exchange booth, or ATM. Here's the definitive ranking.

Ranked: Best Way to Get Baht

1. Card payment (contactless) — Best rate, no fees, no cash to carry
2. SuperRich exchange booth — Best rate for cash, Bangkok only
3. ATM withdrawal (max amount) — Good rate but 220 THB fee
4. Hotel exchange — Convenient but poor rates
5. Airport exchange — Terrible rates, avoid completely

Card Payments: The Default Choice

If you have a Wise, Starling, or Revolut card, use contactless everywhere it's accepted. You get the mid-market rate with no fees (weekend caveat for Revolut).

Where cards work: 7-Eleven, supermarkets, most restaurants, shopping malls, Grab, hotels.

Where cards don't work: Street food, tuk-tuks, temples, small local markets, some taxi boats, tipping.

SuperRich: The Bangkok Legend

SuperRich (the green "Super Rich 1965", not the orange one) consistently offers the best cash exchange rates in Bangkok — often within 0.1% of mid-market. Key locations: Ratchadamri (opposite CentralWorld), Silom, Asok, Phrom Phong BTS, Siam Paragon basement.

They accept GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, and more. No commission, no hidden fees — the rate on the board is what you get. For amounts over £500, ask if they can offer a better rate.

Vasu Exchange: The Silom Favourite

Vasu Exchange on Silom Road (near Surasak BTS) is another Bangkok institution with excellent rates, very close to SuperRich. Operating since 1963, trusted by expats and locals.

ATMs: When You Need Cash Quick

ATMs are everywhere in Thailand. The rate depends on your card provider, and there's always the 220 THB fee. Best for getting cash when you can't find SuperRich (islands, smaller towns, late at night).

Airport Exchange: Just Don't

Airport exchange booths offer rates 3-5% worse than mid-market. On £500, that's £15-25 wasted. If you need cash at the airport, use an ATM instead — even with the 220 THB fee, it's cheaper.

Phuket and Chiang Mai

Phuket doesn't have SuperRich. Best booths are in Jungceylon Mall (Patong) and Phuket Town. In Chiang Mai, SuperRich has a branch near Tha Phae Gate with the same good rates as Bangkok.

The Golden Rules

• Never exchange money at the airport
• Always choose local currency (THB) at ATMs and card terminals — never GBP
• Use SuperRich for large cash exchanges in Bangkok
• Use your Wise/Starling card as the default everywhere
• Only carry as much cash as you need for a few days
• Never exchange currency at your hotel