Money & Payments in Phuket

Good to Know

• Cash is still king in Phuket: Carry a mix of cash and cards. Street food vendors, markets, and tuk-tuks operate cash-only, while tourist-oriented establishments accept cards.
• ATM fees add up: Thai ATMs charge 220 THB flat fee per withdrawal (most banks), but AEON Bank charges only 150 THB. Always withdraw maximum allowed per transaction (usually 20,000 THB) to spread fees across larger amounts.
• Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): When an ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, always decline and choose Thai Baht instead to avoid 3-7% worse exchange rates.
• Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory: Unlike Western countries, tipping isn't expected in Phuket. Small tips (฿20-100) are genuinely appreciated by service workers but won't cause offense if omitted.
• Tourist areas normalize tipping: In Patong Beach and other heavily touristed areas, tipping is more common and expected than in local neighborhoods or small towns.
• Contactless payments spreading: Tap/contactless cards work in major tourist spots and some chain merchants, but always carry backup cash for smaller vendors and rural areas.
• Visa slightly cheaper than Mastercard: Some ATMs charge 100 THB extra for Mastercard withdrawals. If you have both cards, use Visa at Thai ATMs.
• PromptPay QR codes for locals only: Thailand's popular QR payment system (PromptPay) requires a Thai bank account and won't work with international cards, so don't expect to use it as a tourist.