Atm Machines in Thailand: Fees, Limits, and Payment Options Explained

In Thailand, you'll find ATMs everywhere, but it's essential to know the fees, limits, and payment options before using them.

ATM machines in Thailand are widely available, with over 20,000 machines across the country.

To avoid surprise fees, be aware that most ATMs in Thailand charge a withdrawal fee, ranging from 150 to 200 THB per transaction.

You can withdraw cash from ATMs using your debit or credit card, and the maximum withdrawal limit is usually around 20,000 THB per transaction.

Major banks in Thailand, such as Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikorn Bank, offer ATMs that accept international cards, including Visa and Mastercard.

Some ATMs may also offer additional services, like depositing cash or checking account balances.

Using ATMs in Thailand can be a bit of a challenge due to the high fees charged by most banks. The majority of Thai ATMs have a withdrawal limit of ฿20,000, which is approximately $550.

Some banks have higher limits, such as Bangkok Bank at ฿25,000 ($687) and Krungsri at ฿30,000 ($830). These higher limits can be beneficial if you need to withdraw a large amount of money.

You'll be charged a fee of ฿200, which is about $5.50, per transaction for withdrawals with a foreign bank card. Using a Mastercard or Visa card increases the cost to 220 THB per transaction.

Some banks, like Aeon Bank, charge less, at ฿150 per transaction, which is approximately $4. This can be a good option if you're looking to minimize your fees.

It's worth noting that you'll pay a local fee and a "home bank" fee, which can add up quickly. This could mean you'll pay up to $8-10 per transaction.

To avoid wasting money on fees, it's a good idea to shop around for the best ATM and consider withdrawing larger amounts to minimize the number of transactions. Make sure you check with your bank to see what your card's withdrawal limit is before you travel.

The large majority of Thai ATMs charge a fee of 220 Baht per transaction for withdrawals with a foreign bank card.

Some banks are more expensive than others, with Citibank, Bangkok, Krungthai, CIMB, Thai Military, UOB, and Kasikorn all charging 220 Baht per transaction.

However, AEON Bank is a notable exception, charging only 150 Baht per transaction.

You should also be aware that your home bank will charge fees for a foreign withdrawal, which can add up quickly.

In terms of withdrawal limits, most Thai ATMs have a daily limit of 20,000 Baht, although some banks have higher limits.

Bangkok Bank's limit is 25,000 Baht, and Krungsri Bank has a daily limit of 30,000 Baht.

It's worth noting that doing one large withdrawal is often cheaper than several smaller ones, so it's worth checking with your bank to see what your card's withdrawal limit is before you travel.

Here's a summary of some of the ATM fees and limits mentioned in the article:

It's a good idea to shop around for the best ATM to minimize your fees, and to bring more than one card in case one gets flagged as fraudulent.

To avoid problems with ATM machines in Thailand, it's essential to inform your bank about your travel plans.

Phone your bank before you travel and let them know you'll be in Thailand for a period of time, so they can lift any foreign transaction restrictions.

Decline the home currency charge when paying by debit or credit card in a restaurant or shop, to avoid any potential issues.

You can avoid ATM fees by choosing ATMs affiliated with your bank, as this is often the most cost-effective option.

Researching the ATM network of your bank before traveling can save you a significant amount of money.

Using ATMs in your home country or at a bank is usually the best way to avoid fees.

Thai ATMs can charge high fees, but some banks offer a network of fee-free ATMs.

Withdrawals can be blocked, and it's usually because your bank thinks the transaction is fraudulent due to being in a foreign country.

The main reason for this is that your bank blocks the transaction, believing it to be fraudulent.

To avoid a block, phone your bank before you travel and let them know you'll be in Thailand for a period of time.

They'll lift any foreign transaction restrictions for you prior to travel.

It's best to choose "no" to the option that asks if you want to block foreign transactions.

Similarly, when paying by debit or credit card in a restaurant or shop, decline the home currency charge.

Declining the home currency charge will help prevent any unexpected fees.

When using ATMs or making card payments, be aware that some machines will ask if you want to pay in your home currency or the local currency, Thai Baht (THB). Most ATMs will try to sneak in extra fees by converting your money at a lower rate.

This is known as Dynamic Currency Conversion, and it's best to avoid it by selecting THB to pay. By doing this, you'll get a better exchange rate and avoid unnecessary fees.

In some shops, especially in malls and modern areas, you'll be asked if you want to convert your payment to your home currency. Be sure to say no and pay in THB instead, just like you would at an ATM.

If your home bank has a correspondent banking relationship with a Thai bank, you can use their ATMs with free or reduced fees. This is worth asking about, as it can save you money on ATM withdrawals.

Citibank has a network of ATMs in Thailand that its customers can use for free. If your bank has an arrangement with Citibank, you can also use their ATMs without incurring extra fees.

Krungsri Bank ATMs charge ฿200 per withdrawal, but have a higher daily withdrawal limit of ฿30000. This can be beneficial if you need to withdraw a large amount of money at once.

Aeon Bank ATMs have a daily withdrawal limit of ฿20000 and charge ฿150 per transaction, making them the cheapest option. This is a significant difference from other banks, which can charge much more.

It's essential to call your bank to find out about any existing partnerships with Thai banks that can help you avoid ATM fees. This can make a big difference in your overall expenses while traveling in Thailand.

ATMs in Thailand accept foreign cards, so you don't have to worry about looking for a specific type. They accept AMEX, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Union Pay cards and more.

Thai ATMs work with Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard and Visa (Plus) cards, which is great news for travelers. Your bank can confirm whether your card belongs to one of these networks.

ATMs should display the logos of all networks they work with, making it easy to spot a compatible machine. You can also find a network ATM near you by using the Visa ATM locator or the MasterCard ATM locator.

Thai ATMs are compatible with both chip-and-pin cards and cards with only a magnetic stripe on the back. This is a relief for those who still have older cards.

You can use both four-digit and six-digit PIN numbers at Thai ATMs, but keep in mind that Thai ATM keypads don't have letters, so you'll need to remember your PIN numerically.

If you're a regular visitor to Thailand, or planning on living here, you should consider opening a bank account and getting a local Thai debit card.

You can find ATMs in most major cities and towns in Thailand. They're extremely common and can be found at bank branches, on street corners, and in shopping malls.

Major airports in Thailand also have ATMs available. This is convenient for travelers who need to withdraw cash as soon as they arrive.

If you're planning to visit rural areas or lesser-known islands, you might not find ATMs as easily. In these cases, it's best to withdraw money beforehand to avoid any issues.

You can locate ATMs for the five largest Thai banks by visiting their online ATM locator pages. Here are the banks and their corresponding links:

In rural areas, you might find a single ATM outside a local convenience store like 7-Eleven. So, it's a good idea to have some cash on hand for a couple of days when visiting these areas.

You can save on electronic payments by asking for funds to be withdrawn in Thai Baht, which often results in a better currency conversion rate at your home bank.

To avoid wasting money on ATM fees in Thailand, it's essential to be aware of the high fees associated with exchanging money or withdrawing from an ATM machine.

You can normally withdraw Thai Baht when booking your hotel with Agoda, or at ATMs or shops.