Credit Cards vs. Cash in Thailand: What's Better to Bring?

Not a Question of One or the Other

The simple answer: you need both, in different proportions for different situations. Those who arrive with only a credit card or only cash will run into real problems at some point in the trip.

Where Credit Works Well

Hotels, big malls, restaurants in central cities and tourist areas — a credit card is accepted easily. Worth making sure your card doesn't charge a high foreign transaction fee — some Israeli cards offer significantly better travel terms than others, worth checking before the flight.

Where Cash Is Essential

Street food, markets, tuk-tuks, unofficial taxis, small villages, and non-touristy areas — almost always cash only. Tips too (see our tipping culture guide) are almost always given in cash, not as part of the card charge.

Practical Recommendation

Always carry a reasonable cash amount for daily needs, and use a card for larger payments (hotel, significant purchases). A separate backup card (not in the same wallet) is always recommended as an emergency substitute.

Local Digital Payment

In big cities (mainly Bangkok), local payment apps and QR codes are becoming common even among small businesses — but these usually require a Thai bank account, not always relevant for a short-term tourist. Worth knowing it exists, but not relying on it as a substitute for regular cash/credit.

Local SIM cards (see our SIM and internet guide) sometimes also allow payment via the account balance for certain services — another marginal option, but not central for most travelers.

What Happens If Your Card Gets Blocked Mid-Trip

This is exactly why a separate backup card (not in the same wallet, preferably with a partner or in a separate compartment) isn't a theoretical recommendation — a card block due to suspected fraud happens in practice, and without a backup it can stall an entire trip until resolved with the bank in Israel, which sometimes takes days.

More Tips from Experience

Worth photographing/scanning your cards (front and back, without the visible CVV code) and saving them in a separate cloud — very helpful if you need to report loss or theft. Also worth checking in advance with your bank the daily withdrawal/purchase limit abroad, so as not to be declined mid-purchase for something important.

Finally, worth remembering that most businesses in Thailand still prefer cash — even when they accept credit, sometimes there's a small transaction fee passed to the customer, not always shown transparently in advance.

Paying by card: what to know

In most places that accept cards you can pay with the chip or by tapping. Ask that the card stay in your sight during payment, and check the amount before approving. If you are offered to be charged in another currency, choose a charge in baht. Check the details in your account during the trip to spot unusual charges. An explanation of conversion and fees is in ATM fees and currency exchange.

Deposits and credit holds

Hotels and car rental companies usually place a hold on your credit line as a guarantee, and it stays held for a few days after you leave. Plan a sufficient limit, and check that it was released. Do not leave a passport as a deposit when renting a scooter, and use other options. Read more in the scooter rental guide and the car rental guide.

How to keep your cash safe

Spread your money across several places: some in your wallet, some in your bag, and some in the hotel safe. Do not keep all your cash in one place, and do not flash bills in public. In crowded markets watch out for pickpockets, and use a zipped bag in front of your body. If you run short of money in an emergency, you can contact your bank at home. More tips are in the scams guide.

Islands and remote places: keep cash on hand

On small islands and in remote villages there are fewer ATMs, and they may be empty or out of service. Withdraw cash before boarding the ferry, and keep a reserve for the first days. Some restaurants and shops on islands do not accept cards either. Plan according to your route, and check what is available at the destination. See for example the Koh Lipe guide and inter-island transport costs.

Splitting costs between a couple or a group

On a shared trip it is easy to lose track of who paid for what. Agree on a method in advance, such as a shared cash pot or logging expenses together in an app. That helps avoid awkwardness at the end of the trip. Also make sure each of you has at least one card. For overall budget planning see the budget calculator and the money management guide.

In addition, keep the phone number of your bank or card company's customer service somewhere accessible, even outside your phone. If a card is swallowed or lost, you will need to report it quickly and block it. It is also worth checking in advance whether you can block and replace a card remotely.

In any case, do not rely on a single payment method. A mix of cash, a main card, and a backup card gives the best flexibility and lets you continue the trip even when something goes wrong.