Money & Payments
How to pay for everything
CurrencyThai Baht (THB / ฿)
Rough rate฿ 34 = $1 USD
Most used appPromptPay (via banking app)
QR paymentsEverywhere — even street stalls
ATM fee฿ 220 per foreign withdrawal
Best moveOpen a Bangkok Bank account
Wise Tip: Open a Thai bank account ASAP — you need your passport and a Thai phone number. Bangkok Bank is the easiest for foreigners. This unlocks PromptPay and saves you ATM fees.
Visa Basics
Staying legally in Thailand
Visa exempt (tourism)60 days (most nationalities)
Tourist visa (TR)60 days, extendable +30
DTV (Digital Nomad)180 days, extendable +180
ED Visa (Study)90 days renewable, learn Thai
90-day reportRequired for all long-stay visas
Overstay fine฿ 500/day — max ฿ 20,000
Wise Tip: The DTV visa is the best option for remote workers. Apply at a Thai embassy before arriving. Bring proof of freelance income or remote employment. Visit bangkok.team/visa for the full breakdown.
Emergency Contacts
Save these numbers now
Emergency
191
Ambulance
1669
Tourist Police
1155
Fire
199
Key hospitals: Bumrungrad (Sukhumvit) • BNH (Silom) • Samitivej (multiple locations). All have English-speaking staff and accept walk-ins 24/7. Keep your passport and insurance details on your phone.
Getting Around
Transport that works
BTS / MRT฿ 17–62 per ride
Grab (like Uber)฿ 80–250 across town
Motorbike taxi฿ 20–60 short trips
River boat฿ 10–50 (Chao Phraya)
BoltOften cheaper than Grab
Wise Tip: Get a Rabbit card for BTS and tap-and-go convenience. For taxis, always insist on the meter — say “meter na krap/ka.” Avoid tuk-tuks near tourist spots; they overcharge heavily.
Phone & Internet
Get connected on day one
Best providersAIS • TrueMove • DTAC
Tourist SIM cost฿ 299–599 (7–30 days)
Unlimited data plan฿ 450–700/month
Buy where?Airport arrivals or any 7-Eleven
eSIM available?Yes — AIS & TrueMove
Wise Tip: Buy a SIM at Suvarnabhumi Airport (arrivals level) immediately — you need a Thai number for banking, food delivery, and nearly every app. AIS gives the best coverage.
Nobody Tells You
Before you land
- 7-Eleven is your best friend — bill payments, cash top-ups, snacks at 3am
- Download Grab, Line, Google Maps, and your banking app before arriving
- Carry 20,000 cash in Thai Baht when you arrive (immigration may ask)
- Dress modestly for temples — cover shoulders and knees
- Always stand right on escalators — locals take this seriously
- The King is deeply respected — never disrespect the monarchy
- Water from the tap is not drinkable — buy bottled or use a filter
- Pharmacies sell most medications without prescriptions
What Things Cost
Daily price check
Street food meal฿ 50–80
Restaurant meal฿ 150–350
Western meal฿ 300–600
Coffee (local café)฿ 50–90
Beer (convenience store)฿ 40–65
Condo (studio, centre)฿ 10,000–18,000/mo
Co-working space฿ 3,000–5,000/mo
Thai massage (1 hr)฿ 250–400
Laundry (per load)฿ 40–60
Budget guide: Comfortable living in Bangkok starts around ฿ 35,000–50,000/month ($1,000–1,500) including rent, food, transport and fun. Use our interactive calculator at bangkok.team/cost-of-living