# Money & banking in Chiang Mai: cash, cards & ATMs

> How money works in Chiang Mai: cash vs card, the 220 THB ATM fee and how to dodge it, QR payments, money changers and opening a Thai bank account.

Sorting out money is one of the first things you'll do here, and Chiang Mai makes it easy once you know the quirks. The currency is the **Thai baht (THB, ฿)**, cash is still everyday king, and digital payments are racing ahead — though not always in ways visitors can use. Here's how to handle it without quietly overpaying.

## Cash is still king

Carry cash every day. Street food, markets, songthaews and small shops are largely **cash-only**, while mid-range and upscale cafés, restaurants, hotels and chains happily take **Visa/Mastercard**. Notes come in 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht; coins in 1, 2, 5 and 10. The trend toward cards and QR is real in the city, but you can't yet count on going cash-free in local spots.

![Money & banking in Chiang Mai: cash, cards & ATMs](/blog/banking-money-chiang-mai/visual.webp)

## ATMs & the 220 THB sting

Thai ATMs are everywhere and accept foreign cards — but nearly all charge a **fixed fee of around 220 THB per withdrawal** for foreign cards, *on top* of whatever your home bank adds. Three ways to soften it:

- **Withdraw larger amounts, less often** — you pay the flat fee fewer times.
- **Use a fee-friendly card** — some travel/premium accounts reimburse foreign ATM fees.
- **Always choose to be charged in THB**, never your home currency. Picking your home currency triggers **dynamic currency conversion (DCC)** — a deliberately bad exchange rate. Decline it every time.

## QR payments & PromptPay

Thailand has a brilliant QR system called **PromptPay** — locals pay for almost anything by scanning a code. The catch: it's tied to a **Thai bank account**, so most short-term visitors can't use it directly. You'll watch everyone tap and scan while you reach for cash or card. That's fine — it's just worth knowing before you assume your phone will pay for that night-market dinner.

## Money changers vs ATMs

For exchanging larger sums, dedicated **money-changer booths** (the "SuperRich"-style chains in malls and tourist areas) usually beat airport counters, bank branches *and* ATM withdrawals once you count the fees. Bring **clean, undamaged notes** in major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) — torn notes get refused or a worse rate. Swap a little at the airport on arrival, then do bigger exchanges in town.

## Cards, apps & a backup

Multi-currency apps like **Wise** and **Revolut** are nomad staples: near mid-market exchange rates, low-fee local spending and cheap international transfers — handy for receiving remote-work income or sending money home. Two habits save real headaches:

- **Tell your bank you're travelling** so transactions aren't blocked.
- **Carry a backup card** from a different bank/network, in case one is rejected, lost or frozen.

![Money & banking in Chiang Mai: cash, cards & ATMs](/blog/banking-money-chiang-mai/visual-2.webp)

## Opening a Thai bank account

You probably don't need one for a short stay — international cards plus cash cover daily life. For **longer stays**, it's possible but variable: banks typically want a **long-stay visa** (education, work, retirement, marriage), a **work permit** or **proof of local address**, and rules differ branch to branch. Some people open one via an agent or a condo introduction. If the DTV or a long stay is your plan, see our [digital nomad guide](/blog/digital-nomad-chiang-mai).

## Tipping (light and optional)

Tipping here is relaxed. Street food and local eateries expect **nothing** — rounding up is a friendly gesture. Cafés and mid-range places appreciate small change; smarter restaurants, spas and private drivers see around **10%** when service is good (some add a service charge instead). No pressure, ever.

A last honest note: **ATM fees, FX rates and bank rules change often and vary by branch**, so treat the numbers here as a guide and check current rates with your bank or app. Pair this with our [cost-of-living guide](/blog/cost-of-living-chiang-mai) to plan a realistic monthly budget — and if you're weighing up a big recurring expense, our look at [whether buying and owning a scooter is worth it](/blog/owning-a-scooter-chiang-mai) runs the numbers. Ask us at the house too if you're unsure where the nearest good money changer is.