BANGKOK, THAILAND – Fixed limits and rising fees at Thai ATMs turned routine cash withdrawals into an expensive hurdle for foreign visitors in 2026.
QR codes everywhere, but tourists still needed cash
Thailand’s payment landscape had changed rapidly in recent years, with QR codes visible at street food stalls, markets, tuk-tuk drivers, small noodle shops and even temple donation boxes. Thai citizens and long-term residents with a Thai bank account paid almost everything this way, largely without cash.
For tourists without a local account, the situation remained different. Most small vendors used personal PromptPay QR codes that foreign banking apps could not scan. Visitors without Thai accounts therefore still needed cash, especially away from major shopping malls.
Visa and Mastercard were widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, shopping centres and some supermarkets, providing solid coverage in tourist areas. On markets in Chiang Mai or at street stalls in Bangkok, however, payments were usually made in cash.
Card payments required a physical terminal that small traders generally did not have. QR code payments required a Thai bank account, which most tourists did not hold. As a result, ATMs remained the most important source of cash for travellers without local accounts.
Why ATM error messages were usually about limits
The most common reason for a rejected withdrawal was straightforward: the amount entered exceeded the programmed limit of that machine. Each Thai bank set its own ceiling, and the differences between institutions were significant.
Anyone requesting 30,000 baht from a bank that only allowed 20,000 received an error message. The machine was not defective and the card was not necessarily the problem; the requested sum was simply too high. At another ATM with a higher limit, the same withdrawal often went through without difficulty.
20,000 baht: standard limit at SCB and Kasikornbank
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB, purple ATMs) and Kasikornbank (KBank, green ATMs) allowed withdrawals with foreign cards of up to 20,000 baht per transaction. At an exchange rate of around 37 baht to one euro, this corresponded to roughly 540 euros.
KBank machines were located at almost every 7‑Eleven, giving them exceptional reach. The lower limit was not an obstacle as long as users knew it. Travellers who wanted more cash in a single transaction simply had to switch to another bank’s ATM.
25,000 baht: Bangkok Bank and Krungthai as middle ground
Bangkok Bank (blue ATMs) and state-owned Krungthai Bank (dark green ATMs) permitted up to 25,000 baht per transaction, or about 675 euros. For many visitors, this represented a practical compromise between availability and withdrawal size.
Bangkok Bank operated more than 800 branches nationwide and was a popular primary bank for long-stay foreigners. Krungthai, as a state institution with nationwide coverage, was regarded as a reliable choice for larger one-off withdrawals.
30,000 baht: maximum at yellow Krungsri machines
Krungsri Bank (Bank of Ayudhya, yellow ATMs) offered the highest payout per transaction, up to 30,000 baht, roughly 810 euros. The bank, part of Japan’s MUFG group, was considered a first choice among many expatriates using foreign cards.
TTB (TMBThanachart Bank, light blue ATMs) also enabled withdrawals of up to 30,000 baht at many locations. However, limits at TTB varied more by location and machine type than at Krungsri. The maximum amount shown on the screen at each ATM was always binding.
Overview: differing limits and fixed fees
As guidance, Krungsri (yellow) and TTB (light blue) generally allowed up to 30,000 baht; Bangkok Bank (dark blue) and Krungthai (dark green) up to 25,000 baht; KBank (green) and SCB (purple) usually up to 20,000 baht. Fees ranged between 220 and 250 baht per withdrawal, depending on the bank.
These figures were reference values. Individual machines from the same bank could differ, particularly on islands or in rural provinces. The limit displayed on the screen applied only to that specific ATM at that specific moment and was always decisive.
220 to 250 baht: what was really charged
Every withdrawal with a foreign card incurred a fixed service fee from the ATM, regardless of whether 5,000 or 30,000 baht was taken out. Depending on the bank, the amount ranged from 220 to 250 baht, or roughly six to just under seven euros.
From mid‑2025, several major banks raised their charge to 250 baht, with Krungsri formally implementing the increase from July 2025. Other institutions such as Bangkok Bank or SCB most recently remained at 220 baht. Before each withdrawal, the ATM displayed the exact fee, which users had to confirm.
Three small withdrawals or one large one?
The fee was charged per transaction, not per baht withdrawn. Travellers who withdrew 10,000 baht three times paid up to 750 baht in fees, while a single withdrawal of 30,000 baht cost 250 baht. The cash in hand was the same, but the charges were only one third as high.
The resulting strategy was clear: withdraw less often but take the maximum possible amount each time. Over a two‑week stay, tourists who followed this approach could easily save 10 to 15 euros in ATM fees without sacrificing convenience.
Home bank daily limits: the invisible brake
In addition to the Thai ATM limit, the daily cap set by the cardholder’s home bank also applied. Many European institutions restricted overseas withdrawals for security reasons, often to an amount well below the 30,000 baht that a Krungsri machine could theoretically dispense.
Those unaware of their own limit could face an error message even with the right card at an ATM with a high ceiling. The recommendation was to check online banking before departure and temporarily increase the foreign withdrawal limit if necessary. Many banks allowed such changes within minutes via their mobile apps.
Dynamic Currency Conversion: the option to reject
Nearly all Thai ATMs offered immediate conversion into euros during the withdrawal process, known as Dynamic Currency Conversion. The screen showed a fixed amount in euros, which appeared convenient. However, the exchange rate applied was noticeably worse than the official interbank rate.
The better choice was always to select “Continue without conversion” or “Debit in Thai Baht”. This left the conversion to the card network, typically at far more favourable rates. By doing so at every withdrawal, travellers could save several euros per transaction, depending on the sum.
Bank counters: more cash, no ATM fee
Those who needed larger amounts or wanted to avoid the ATM charge altogether could withdraw cash directly at a bank counter using a passport and card. In that case, the machine fee of 220 to 250 baht did not apply. Krungsri permitted counter withdrawals of up to 150,000 baht, and the same approach worked at Bangkok Bank and KBank.
The disadvantage was time. In Bangkok, waiting times of around 30 minutes could occur. In smaller cities or branches outside the main tourist centres, the process was often considerably quicker. For long-term residents who regularly required higher sums, counter withdrawals offered a viable alternative.
Staying longer: Thai bank accounts as digital key
Holding a Thai bank account fundamentally changed daily life. With a local banking app, residents could pay by QR code at street food stalls, markets, hairdressers and in taxis. Transfers between Thai accounts were free of charge and completed within seconds, while ATM fees largely disappeared.
In most cases, opening such an account required a long-term visa, such as retirement, marriage, education or a work permit. Those who met the criteria were advised to plan a comprehensive financial strategy for their stay in Thailand, with a local bank account as a central element. For short-term visitors, however, ATMs remained the most reliable solution for obtaining cash.
Editorial note and scope
The article summarised the conditions at Thai ATMs that applied in 2026 and was intended as general guidance. Withdrawal limits and fees could change without prior notice.
“The information displayed on the ATM screen at the moment of the transaction is always decisive.”
said the editorial team.