You’ll be able to use your credit or debit card to make payments in Bangkok and Thailand’s tourist areas, especially in most international hotels, major shops, shopping malls and some restaurants. However cash is still king in Thailand and many vendors won’t accept card payments.

Using your card to withdrawn money at a Thai ATM is costly: a 200 Thai baht surcharge will automatically be added plus you’ll pay currency conversion fees. If possible, avoid using your card to withdraw money at ATMs in Thailand.

If you are going to pay by card in Thailand: Be aware of significant card fees and currency conversion fees for card payments in Thai Baht: Your bank’s THB to GBP exchange rate may be quite bad. This is how banks make money.

Before using your bank card for payments in Thailand it’s certainly a good idea to contact your bank. This will avoid your card becoming blocked due to international transactions that your bank may find suspicious.

It’s certainly a good idea to bring Thai Baht cash with you on your trip to Thailand. Cash is the most used payment method by far in Thailand.

Many Thai vendors only accept cash payments. This is the case for street vendors, eateries, most bars, taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers, tour guides and many local shops.

Paying by cash in Thailand will also help avoid currency conversion card fees and the ATM fees of 200 baht per withdrawal.

The overall cost of living in Thailand is 21% lower than the cost of living in the UK.

For a coffee in a cafe in Bangkok you’ll likely pay around 70 baht. For a three-course meal in a restaurant you are likely to be billed around 500 baht per person.

Tipping in Thailand is never expected. No Thai waiter will ask for a tip, nor will waiting staff complain when a tip isn’t left. It’s really up to you if you want to leave and for how much.