Besides food, accommodation, and tourist places, one more important thing you should know before coming to Thailand is the payment system. The way to pay in Thailand might be different from your country, especially if you are used to paying with credit cards or foreign mobile apps.

But don’t worry. You can still use your credit card in Thailand. However, not every place accepts it. Most of the time, only big places like shopping malls, hotels, big chain stores, or chain restaurants will accept credit cards. That’s why cash is still very important when you travel in Thailand.

Where Can You Use Credit Cards in Thailand?

In Thailand, credit cards are accepted in some places, but not everywhere. You can use a credit card at the following locations:

• Shopping Malls: Big malls like Central, ICONSIAM, Siam Paragon, or Terminal 21 usually have card machines in most shops.
• Large Restaurants: Popular restaurant chains or mid- to high-range restaurants often accept credit cards.
• Hotels: Hotels with 3 stars or more normally accept card payments.

However, many small shops, local markets, street vendors, and stores outside the city usually do not accept credit cards. This is because the system setup costs money, and some shops don’t want to pay extra fees.

Also, even at some shops that accept cards, they may charge 2–3% extra for using a credit card. So it's a good idea to ask before you pay.

QR Code Payment System in Thailand (PromptPay)

In Thailand, you will often see QR codes at restaurants and shops. These are used for making payments. Thai people call this system PromptPay. To pay, customers must scan the QR code using a Thai mobile banking app.

This means the QR code system only works with Thai bank apps.

Can I Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, or WeChat Pay in Thailand?

Apple Pay and Google Pay: These payment methods are not widely used in Thailand yet. Most shops do not have NFC or Tap-to-Pay machines that support these systems. Even if you added your credit card to the app, you might find it hard to use in normal shops.

Some big places like Starbucks, Apple Store, or global brands in malls might accept it, but not all.

Alipay and WeChat Pay: In some tourist areas, especially where many Chinese tourists visit — like Pattaya, Bangkok (Ratchaprasong area), or Chiang Mai — some shops may accept Alipay or WeChat Pay. But these are usually shops that focus on Chinese customers.

Recommendation: You should also prepare other options like a credit card and cash to make sure you can shop and pay easily while in Thailand.

Do You Need to Carry Cash in Thailand?

The answer is yes, especially if you plan to travel outside the city or want to experience the local Thai lifestyle. Cash is useful for:

• Walking around local markets or night markets
• Eating at small food stalls or street food vendors
• Buying water, snacks, or souvenirs from small community shops

You can exchange your money to Thai Baht (THB) at:

• Airports: Very convenient, but the exchange rate is usually not the best
• Banks: Safe and reliable, with many branches in big cities
• Money Exchange Shops: Some places offer better rates than banks, such as SuperRich or Vasu Exchange in Bangkok

Tips:

• Carry small bills like 20, 50, or 100 baht – it's easier when buying small items
• Try not to exchange money in tourist hot spots – the rate can be lower
• Don't carry too much cash for safety reasons