Activities

Where to Exchange Money on Koh Chang?

Banks and currency exchanges on Koh Chang island, Thailand

How to Get the Best Exchange Rate.

Updated for 2017 – 2018  High Season.

I was talking to someone the other day about where to exchange money and I realised that I didn’t know which banks or currency exchanges gave the best rates.  I knew they differed, but I didn’t know by how much or if there were any that were better than others.  Thailand is still largely run on good old, untraceable, cash.  There are now debit cards that people use to pay for goods and services and of course credit cards can be used in any large business.  Outside shopping malls and resorts, for normal daily life, cash is still king. 

That is changing with 7-elevens all having contactless payment systems for holders of some debit cards.  Alipay, which is used extensively by Chinese vistors can now be used in many shops, restaurants and minimarts in Thailand.   But there is still a long way to go before you can visit Thailand and not have to carry cash with you when you want to go shopping, eat out or book a tour.

So today I found the best places to exchange money on Koh Chang.

With one exception these are all licensed money changers.   It’s better to go to a legitimate bank or money exchange.  You might think you will get a better rate at a tour agents office or in some random shop, but the chances are you won’t.  The problem is that for anyone staying further south than Kai Bae beach, there aren’t any official currency exchanges or banks.   Just ATMs and unofficial exchanges.

I kept it simple and just asked for the EUR and USD rates assuming I wanted to exchange a $100 or EUR100 note.  ( The bigger the denomination, the better the exchange rate.  So the first tip is don’t bring small notes if you want to get the best rates. )

Benchmarks

It’s also worth comparing the Koh Chang rates with the rates at a normal bank in Bangkok. This morning the rate was US$1 = 32.65 THB and EUR1 = 38.41 THB  at Bangkok Bank Head Office

And at the best known currency exchange company, Super Rich.  This morning the rate was US$1 = 33 THB  and EUR1 = 38.9 THB at their offices in Bangkok.  They offer pretty much the best rates in Thailand.  When I need cash for a European holiday, I’ll go to their main office in Bangkok, near Centralworld, and exchange Baht for Euros or USD there. 

If you’re landing at Suvarnabhumi they have a branch on the Basement level of the terminal, near the station for trains into Bangkok.  You’ll get a far better rate there than at any of the exchanges elsewhere in the airport.

So that’s what we’re aiming for . . .

Top Bank and Currency Exchange

 

Best bank and currency exchanges on Koh Chang

The Full Results

The top three USD and EUR rates are in green.

This year the best place to exchange either Euros or US Dollars for Baht on Koh Chang is Big Money in Kai Bae.  Located adjacent to the large ‘Goong Kata’ restaurant in the centre of the village.  This is 100 metres south of Gajapuri Resort, The Chill and AWA Resort.

Location

USD Rate

(THB)

EUR Rate

(THB)

Handwritten sign, Bangbao  32.00  39.00
Yellow office, Lonely Beach  32.50  38.30
Big Money, Kai Bae  32.69  38.54
Kasikorn Bank, Kai Bae  32.64  38.32
Thanachart Bank, Kai Bae  32.67  38.52
Big Money, Klong Prao  32.68  38.42
Government Savings bank, Klong Prao  32.66  38.36
Siam Commercial Bank, Chai Chet  32.65  38.39
Big Money, Chai Chet  32.70  38.46
Krung Thai Bank, White Sand beach  32.65  38.49
Thanachart Bank, White Sand beach  32.67  38.52
Big Money, White Sand beach  32.72  38.45
Yellow office, Mac Resort,White Sand beach  32.55 38.40
Yellow office, Changburi Resort, White Sand beach  32.55 38.40
Bangkok Bank, White Sand beach  32.65  38.41
Krungsri Ayudya Bank, White Sand beach  32.67  38.51

Last year’s winner was Big Money, Chai Chet.  It still offers very good rates but not as good as it’s sister branches on Kai Bae and White Sand beaches.

Conclusions

There are four that are easy to spot:

  • If you want to exchange money at a bank – look for a branch of Thanachart.  Easy to spot as they are orange.
  • If you’re staying in Kai Bae or White Sands then you should shop around as there is a big difference in rates. Don’t automatically assume the various exchanges are all going to be the same or that the one closest to your hotel will give you the best rate.  Walking a few minutes will save you enough to buy a beer.
  • And if you’re staying in the south of the island, then it’s best to exchange money before you get to your hotel or take a taxi or scooter to the more developed beaches where you’ll get a much better rate.
  • Don’t assume that because a you get a good rate for Euros at one exchange, they will also offer a good rate for USD.  And vice versa.

Other Options for Exchanging Money

Is buying Thai Baht in advance before you come to Thailand a good idea?

No.  You’ll get a rate that costs you 10% more money than the worst rate in Thailand.  

See: https://www.travelex.com/rates if you’re tempted to do this for some bizarre reason.  (At the time of writing their rates are US$1 = 29.01 THB and EUR1 = 33.51)

Should you exchange money at Suvarnabhumi Airport?

No.  If you are talking about the currency exchanges in the Baggage Claim and Arrivals area.  These give very low rates compared to banks elsewhere in Thailand.

Yes.  If you know where to go.  As it is possible to get good rates at the airport.  Here’s how . . .

Once you’re in the Arrivals hall, follow the signs for the Airport rail link and take the elevator down to Level B1 of the terminal.  Then walk to the station.  There’s an invisible dividing line between airport property and that of the State Railway of Thailand.  Once you cross this line you get better rates.  

Head down the slight slope to the ticket machines for the trains and you’ll see  a cluster of currency exchanges, including a Super Rich branch, on the left.  Check their rates and you’ll see they are way better than those under 100 metres away on airport property.   (I took a couple of photos to show the comparison, see the Suvarnabhumi Airport guide for these.)

Withdrawing Baht through an ATM

It makes life easier if you don’t have to carry a lot of cash and there are ATMs almost everywhere you go in Thailand.  You’ll find them dotted around Koh Chang.  So you can take cash from these easily.  BUT . . . . note that there is a 200 Baht fee per transaction.

This is levied by the Thai bank.  It is separate from any fees your own bank might impose.  And you may well find that you are limited to 10,000 Baht per transaction – so are effectively paying a minimum of 2% fee for the withdrawal.  This is in addition to any fees your own bank imposes. 

The bank that usually has the highest limit per withdrawal is Krungsri Ayudya ( yellow ATMs )  Their limit is 30,000 Baht per withdrawal.  If you get  a low limit, say 10,000 Baht, then it’s often due to your own bank putting a low limit to prevent fraud.  I’ve noticed this happen often with cards from UK banks.

Therefore, don’t take a small amount of cash out unless it is absolutely necessary.  You also have to factor in any fees that your bank at home levies.   Some cards specifically for overseas travel don’t have any fees – which is great.  Many do though and they’re often hidden in small print.

As far as the exchange rate used for ATM withdrawals is concerned, this isn’t set by the Thai bank and isn’t set by your bank.  It’s set by Visa or Mastercard ( depending on which card you are using to make the withdrawal. )  So you’ll have to check their website for the actual rate you are getting. It may or may  not be better than the Thai bank rate.

How about Traveller’s Cheques?

I’ve no idea.  It’s not 1997.

 

11 Comments

  • Yes they do. There are often queues at Super Rich, as it is the best known exchange, but you can get the same rates at the exchanges next to it. :-)

  • Do you know if the Super Rich at the airport has about the same exchange rates as the ones in downtown Bangkok?

  • Yesterday rate is 29.5, if I will compare with rates provided by visa – https://www.visa.co.uk/support/consumer/travel-support/exchange-rate-calculator.html?amount=20000&fee=1.8&exchangedate=11%2F10%2F2019&fromCurr=USD&toCurr=THB&submitButton=Calculate+exchange+rate even with bank fee 1.8% and ATM fee 220 BHT, I will lose in ATM 60 BHT on 20000 BHT withdrawal.
    But on another my card there is no comission in Thananchart bank and I will save 270 BHT on 20000 BHT in ATM. So better to calculate each time.

  • Thanks Ciaran. In addition to the charges from your own bank, the Thai banks add on a fee for ATM withdrawals. You can avoid this by withdrawing over the counter in a bank.

  • Hi Ian,
    thank you very much for your valuable information. I am going to Thailand for October and I will be spending almost three weeks on Koh Chang. I have been there a few times since 2006. After reading your info, I will be changing my cash on the Island. I have been checking out different ways to get the best value for my currency and your info is the best I have come across.
    The banks at home will screw you with their charges.
    Many Thanks,
    Ciaran.

  • I can arrange a transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Chang at night. If you;re picked up at 2am then you’ll be on the first ferry ti Koh Chang at 6.30am. Or stay the night at a hotel near the airport and then take the minibus form the airport to Koh Chang. The first is at 07:50.

  • Ian you website is very good
    I am originali from Finland and living north California (36 yrs) close SF
    I traveld 3 month 1-3/16 Thailand and lowed it, I did not have time to visit Trat island that is my plan to doo next year, ( like fishing)
    Little problem… flyght west coast go to Hongkong first and then Bangcock and last time was late night and i had to take taxi to Pattaya
    What time is the laitest pick upp from terminal or do i need to go Pattaya first

  • Thanks Colin. I can only go off the rates that they had advertised yesterday either on electronic signs, like at SCB & Big Money near you or printouts. I guess it may well vary through the year, so more reason for people to check a few places

  • The banks have indoor areas – but often the exchange is separate. So you have to get the money then walk inside the bank. The small booths don’t have anywhere indoor or secure. In Klong Prao, the pink GSB has the exchange counter inside the office. Likewise Krungthai on White side is inside.

  • Which of these has an indoor area to do business? I know some are street front kiosks that when dealing with large sums of money people might not feel comfortable checking/double checking their money in the open.
    And is there any limit to the amount they would be happy to change at a time? We would like to pay for everything with cash as the rate is far better then the banks rate. Also the ATM has a daily limit which wont suit the amount i need to withdraw.

  • Hi Ian. I have to disagree. We were selling Baht for some time until the police cracked down on unlicensed operators. So almost daily we were going up to Whitesands to change our USD and EUR back into Baht at Thanachart or Krungsri. Even after Big Money arrived, and they’re next door to us, there were always a few points better to be had from those banks. Furthermore SCB’s rate appears to be consistently worse than the others. Google for daytodaydata.net for rate comparisons across Thailand. The national bank rates displayed are the same as those available at the Koh Chang branches it would appear.
    cheers,
    Colin.

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Koh Chang Island Guide For Independent Travellers