Currency exchange rates July 2026 — the honest picture

Money stuff first, because I know this is what everyone actually wants to know about 😅

ATM fees — they went up

If you haven't been here in a while: the ATM surcharge on Koh Phangan is now 250 baht per transaction (it was 220 for a long time). Every ATM on the island charges this — Kasikorn, Bangkok Bank, SCB, all of them. It's not your bank, it's the local fee. Plan accordingly and pull larger amounts to minimize how often you hit an ATM.

Best cards for Thailand right now: Wise and Revolut. Both have low (sometimes zero) foreign transaction fees, so you're only eating the 250 baht local fee rather than your bank's fee on top. Still recommend Wise for the rate, but either works.

Cash exchange — current rates

Dollars and euros are easy to exchange anywhere in Thong Sala. Rates fluctuate daily and honestly the difference between most exchange booths is pretty small. For USD, you're currently looking at around 33-34 baht per dollar at most places.

Our partner Centerpoint Exchange has been consistently better than the banks — worth checking their rate before you commit.

The classic reminder: avoid the airport

I feel like I say this every month but people keep doing it — the currency exchange booths at Samui airport (and Bangkok airports) are terrible. We're talking sometimes 10-15% worse than what you'd get in Thong Sala. Bring enough baht from home for your taxi and first meal, then exchange the rest once you're on the island. Or just use an ATM in Thong Sala — 250 baht fee is much less painful than a bad exchange rate on 500 USD.

Useful numbers for July

• ATM fee: 250 baht (all machines, all banks)
• Typical meal at a local cafe: 80–150 baht
• Honda Click rental: ~250 baht/day (a bit higher in high season)
• Beer at most bars: 80–100 baht for a Chang