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Cash or card: what's better for a tourist
We won't bore you with long introductions. The main conclusion we've reached based on personal experience and real calculations: in Thailand, it's most profitable to combine cash and cards, but with a clear division.
- Thailand's official currency is the Thai baht (THB), and all official transactions are in it. You won't be able to pay with dollars or euros almost anywhere, except for some unofficial tourist services.
- Cash (dollars, euros, or yuan) – for exchanging into baht at exchange offices. This gives the best rate, especially if you're willing to spend 10 minutes looking for a good spot.
- UnionPay card (not MIR!) – for payments at hotels, large stores, and restaurants. There's usually no fee for terminal payments, and the conversion rate is reasonable.
- Withdrawing cash from a card at an ATM – the worst option due to double fees (200–220 baht per transaction + your bank's percentage). Use only in emergencies.
Important! MIR cards don't work in Thailand at all. Neither at ATMs nor at terminals. Forget about them when planning your trip.
Now let's break down each point in detail so you know exactly which money to take and how not to lose on exchange rates.
Which currency for a trip to Thailand is more profitable
Dollars, euros, yuan, or rubles – each option has its nuances. Let's go through each with numbers. Spoiler: dollars are the most profitable.
Dollar, euro, or yuan – calculating the profit
The most common question: what to bring – dollars, euros, or Chinese yuan? We did the math. Let's take 100,000 rubles you want to spend on your vacation and see how many baht you'll end up with.
| Exchange method | Purchase rate in Russia | Intermediate currency | THB rate in Thailand | Final THB amount | Loss vs USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Via dollar (USD) | 80.30 RUB/USD | 1,245 USD | 31.82 THB/USD | 39,626 THB | — |
| Via euro (EUR) | 93.99 RUB/EUR | 1,064 EUR | 36.80 THB/EUR | 39,153 THB | -473 THB |
| Via yuan (CNY) | 11.90 RUB/CNY | 8,403 CNY | 4.59 THB/CNY | 38,571 THB | -1,055 THB |
| Cash rubles in Thailand | Rate in Thailand: 3.65 THB/RUB | Direct exchange | 36,500 THB | -3,126 THB | |
As you can see, the dollar is still on top. Euros lag just slightly behind, while the yuan in 2026 has noticeably dropped. So if you have a choice – take dollars in large bills (50 and 100). But if you already have euros or yuan, don't exchange them for dollars in Russia – you'll lose more on conversion than you'll gain from the rate in Thailand.
Should you take rubles to Thailand
Technically – yes, rubles can be exchanged at some exchange offices and banks. There's even legal exchange via bank transfers, so you don't even need a card or cash. But the loss will be about 7–10% compared to exchanging via dollars. That's significant for your trip budget, you'll agree.
We believe rubles should only be taken as a backup for the most extreme cases. Or if you need to exchange a very small amount (e.g., 1000–2000 USD) for initial expenses until you get to a proper exchange office.
Old-style dollars – will they be accepted or not
Currently, Russian banks mostly sell old-style dollars without the blue security strip. Because they have weaker security features and many counterfeits, they're accepted reluctantly worldwide, and Thailand is no exception. But overall, you can exchange them – the situation isn't as critical as inexperienced tourists and media make it out to be.
Yes, some exchange offices do refuse them because they can't distinguish originals from fakes and are afraid of getting counterfeits. But if one exchange office doesn't accept them, go to other places or banks. After visiting a few exchange offices, you'll definitely find one that will take them. The rate is usually 0.1–0.5 baht lower – about 0.4–2% lower than on new bills. Some reviews mention even a 1 baht difference (that's already 4%), but that might be about worn bills.
This is important! Old-style bills must be in perfect condition. If they have wear, creases, tears, signatures, or stamps, they might easily be rejected or accepted at a very low rate. Some exchange offices even check bills under UV light for mold – so don't store currency in damp places for too long.
Our advice: when buying dollars in Russia, try to get new-style bills, but if you're given old ones – don't panic, you'll be able to exchange them. You might just have to visit a couple of exchange offices or exchange at a slight discount, which will still be more profitable than buying new-style dollars in Russian banks with a 2-3 ruble markup.
Where to exchange money: airport, Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket
At Thai airports, the rate is usually worse than in the city. But there's one exception: Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. On the lower floor, near the Airport Rail Link entrance, there's an exchange office with a very favorable rate. We've exchanged there many times and have always been satisfied. If you're flying directly to the islands (Koh Chang, Samet, Tao) – exchange your whole amount there.
At other airports (Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi), the rate is usually 0.5–2 baht lower. Exchange only a minimal amount there for a taxi and first night.
Best places to exchange in cities:
- Bangkok: Superrich chain (main office near BTS Chit Lom – the best rate in the country). More details in our Bangkok guide.
- Pattaya: T.T. Exchange (many branches, find the nearest and check the rate at https://ttexchange.com/).
- Phuket: look for exchange offices in Patong, Phuket Town, or Chalong – rates are better than at the airport or remote beaches. In Patong, good rates on Bangla Street and near Central Festival. In Phuket Town – on Phang Nga Street.
- On the islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao): rates are worse than on the mainland. Exchange with a reserve in Bangkok or Phuket.
Bank cards in Thailand 2026: what works and how much they charge
UnionPay: which Russian cards still work
The card situation changes quickly, but as of 2026, here's the picture:
- MIR cards – don't work at all. Neither for payment nor withdrawal.
- UnionPay – work, but only from banks not under sanctions. The major reliable one is Rosselkhozbank (RSHB).
- Gazprombank, Tinkoff, Pochta Bank, Russkiy Standart – their UnionPay cards no longer work in Thailand.
But even if you have a working UnionPay card, remember the fees.
Withdrawal and payment fees – table
| Bank and plan | Card issuance | Maintenance | Cash withdrawal fee | Payment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosselkhozbank / "Svoi karta plus" (ruble) | Free (first) | Free | 1.5% (min 250 RUB) Free if turnover > 30,000 RUB in previous month |
No fee |
| Rosselkhozbank / "Svoi karta plus" (yuan) | 380 CNY | Free | 4% (min 70 CNY) | No fee |
As you can see, the ruble RSHB card is more profitable for withdrawals if you meet the turnover conditions. If you don't meet the turnover for free withdrawals, the ATM losses will be significant. So try to pay with the card as much as possible, and withdraw only in the most extreme cases.
Important! Each bank and even different plans within the same bank may have different conditions. Don't take bloggers' word for it – read your tariff plan or call your bank before your trip.
By the way, if you plan to use a card in Thailand, we recommend reading our detailed breakdown: which UnionPay card to choose – ruble or foreign currency.
QR code payment and cryptocurrency – convenient or not
In Thailand, you can pay by QR code through SberBank and MTS Bank apps. It works simply: scan the code, confirm the amount in baht (you'll see the ruble amount only after the charge). The system is convenient, but we calculated the real losses – QR payment eats about 7% compared to paying with a yuan UnionPay card.
For small purchases (up to 500 baht), it's acceptable. For large expenses (hotel, bike rental, tours), it's better to use a card or cash.
About cryptocurrency – Thailand officially has the TouristDigiPay program, which allows crypto payments via digital baht (THBS). But honestly, for a tourist, it's complicated: you need a local SIM card, full verification with a passport, proof of address. For Russians, there are also restrictions – for example, Binance TH is closed to us, and Bitkub doesn't work with Russian "registration." We think this method is only suitable for long-term expats, not for a regular tourist on a 2–3 week trip.
Tipping and money tips
In Thailand, tips aren't required, but in tourist areas they're common:
- Hotel porters – 5–10 baht per bag.
- Taxi drivers – round up the fare to 5–10 baht.
- Maids – 10–20 baht per day is normal, 50 if you really liked it.
- In restaurants – if service charge isn't already included (often it is), you can leave 5-10% at your discretion.
But overall, tipping here isn't a primary income source like in Egypt or Turkey. You won't be chased down for not leaving a tip. Treat it as a gesture of gratitude, not an obligation.
Finally – the main rules for optimizing expenses:
- Bring cash dollars in large bills (50 and 100) of the new design.
- UnionPay card (RSHB) – for payments at restaurants, hotels, and stores.
- At Bangkok airport (Suvarnabhumi), you can confidently exchange dollars – there's a good rate, but only at the right exchange offices.
- At resorts, compare rates at several exchange offices – the difference can be significant even on the same street.
- Don't withdraw cash from ATMs unless it's urgent – fees will eat up part of your budget.
- QR payments – only for small amounts.
We hope this guide helped you figure out which money to take to Thailand and how not to lose on exchange rates. If you still have questions – join our Thailand chat, where experienced travelers can always help.
And for a deeper dive into money and currency in Thailand – read our complete money guide, with even more details on rates, banks, exchange offices, and nuances.