The ₹10,000 Mistake at Bangkok Airport – You land at Suvarnabhumi Airport with ₹1,00,000 cash to exchange. Tired from the flight, you head straight to the bright purple “Exchange” booth in arrivals. The rate looks reasonable: 1 INR = 0.41 THB. You exchange everything. Done.
Three days later, chatting with another Indian tourist at your Pattaya hotel, you discover he exchanged ₹1,00,000 at SuperRich in Bangkok city centre. His rate: 1 INR = 0.43 THB.
Quick math:
You paid ₹4,650 extra for the “convenience” of exchanging at the airport. That’s two full-day island tours. Or three excellent Thai massage sessions. Or 15 street food meals.
This happens to thousands of Indian tourists annually in Thailand. Not because they’re careless—because nobody explains where currency exchange in Thailand actually offers fair rates versus tourist traps designed to extract maximum profit.
This comprehensive guide covers everything Indians need to know: where SuperRich locations hide, why airport exchanges rip you off, how ATM fees stack up, which Indian credit cards work best, and the Dynamic Currency Conversion scam that silently steals 5-7% extra.
Scenario: Just landed, tired, airport exchange right there.
Thought: “₹800 difference isn’t worth the hassle of finding SuperRich tomorrow.”
Reality: That ₹800 difference becomes ₹4,000 on ₹1,00,000. That’s 4 excellent meals, or a spa day or a tour. Worth 30 minutes effort.
Corporate groups: The Company pays, so individuals don’t care about exchange rates.
Reality: ₹7,00,000 saved on ₹60,00,000 exchange (from earlier example) = one extra team member’s entire trip cost. The company cares even if individuals don’t.
Smart planner: Saves company money, looks competent, gets repeat business.
All-inclusive packages: Tourists think currency doesn’t matter.
Reality: Shopping, extra meals, spa treatments, tours beyond package—all require cash/card. Smart currency strategy still saves thousands.
Thought: “I’m only exchanging ₹10,000, the difference is tiny.”
Reality: 5% on ₹10,000 = ₹500. Multiply across a family of 4 = ₹2,000. That’s 5-6 good street meals or nice souvenirs.
Official currency: Thai Baht (THB or ฿)
Current exchange rate (November 2025):
Baht denominations:
Indian context: ₹100 = roughly 42 baht. So that 50 baht pad thai costs about ₹120. That 500 baht spa massage = ₹1,200.
Understanding this hierarchy saves thousands:
Typical rate: 0.42-0.43 THB per INR
Commission: Zero
Markup: 0.5-1% above mid-market rate
Typical rate: 0.41-0.42 THB per INR
Commission: Zero
Markup: 1.5-2.5% above mid-market
Typical rate: 0.40-0.41 THB per INR
Commission: Zero
Markup: 2.5-3.5% above mid-market
Typical rate: 0.38-0.40 THB per INR
Commission: Zero (but hidden in a terrible rate)
Markup: 4-7% above mid-market
Typical rate: 0.36-0.39 THB per INR
Commission: Sometimes charged separately
Markup: 7-10% above mid-market
Real money impact on ₹1,00,000:
Two separate companies operate under the “SuperRich” branding in Thailand: SuperRich Thailand (Green) and SuperRich 1965 (Orange). Both have 50+ years of operating history, offer nearly identical rates, and maintain excellent reputations.
Branches: 19 locations in Bangkok plus OH! RICH subsidiary branches
Main Bangkok locations:
Status at airport: SuperRich Green at Suvarnabhumi Airport CLOSED permanently
Branches: 41+ locations, including BTS Turtle branches (inside the BTS skytrain network)
Key Bangkok locations:
Rates: Usually identical or within 0.01-0.02 THB difference. Check both if nearby.
For airport arrival: SuperRich Orange (only option at airport)
For city locations: Whichever is closer to you
For the best absolute rate, compare real-time rates on their websites before visiting
What to bring:
Process:
Time: 5-15 minutes, depending on the queue
Fees: ZERO commission, ZERO service charge
SuperRich Orange location: B Floor (basement), next to Airport Rail Link entrance Hours: 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM daily
Rate difference vs city SuperRich:
Other airport exchanges (purple “Exchange” booths):
Option 1: Minimum exchange at the airport
Option 2: Skip the airport entirely
Option 3: Carry enough small baht from India
Thai ATMs charge a flat 220 THB (₹515) per withdrawal for foreign cards (except AEON Bank: 150 THB/₹350).
Standard Thai banks:
Lower fee option:
Most ATMs: 20,000 THB per transaction, Bangkok Bank: 25,000 THB per transaction, Krungsri Bank (Yellow): 30,000 THB per transaction
Most Indian banks charge BOTH:
Total cost example (withdrawing 20,000 THB):
Zero/Low fee options:
Credit cards (avoid for ATM):
Maximise per-withdrawal amount:
AEON ATMs when possible:
Always decline “With Conversion”:
What it is: ATMs and payment terminals offer to convert your transaction into Indian Rupees “for convenience.” This seems helpful, but it costs you 3-7% extra through terrible exchange rates.
Scenario: Withdrawing 10,000 THB
ATM screen shows:
What Indians think:
“Option 2 shows me the exact rupee cost! Convenient! I’ll choose that.”
What actually happens:
Real cost:
Payment terminal shows:
ALWAYS choose the THB amount. The INR option uses the merchant’s conversion rate (5-8% markup), not your bank’s rate.
At ATMs:
At payment terminals:
Signs of DCC on receipt:
If DCC charged:
Savings: Avoiding DCC saves 3-5% on every transaction. On ₹50,000 spending: save ₹1,500-2,500!
Legal limit: Indians can carry up to ₹25,000 cash when travelling abroad (as of 2025). Amounts above require declaration and justification.
Recommendation:
Carrying ₹1,00,000 cash:
Balanced approach:
Best rates: SuperRich (Green & Orange), Grand SuperRich, OH! RICH
Locations: 19+ Green branches, 41+ Orange branches, everywhere in central Bangkok
Strategy: Easy to find great rates
SuperRich presence: Limited (check website for current branches)
Alternatives:
Reality: Phuket rates 0.5-1% worse than Bangkok typically
Recommendation:
SuperRich Orange: Available in Chiang Mai
Also good:
Rates: Slightly worse than Bangkok, but still reasonable
Guest Friendly Hotels – No Joiner Fee
Yes. SuperRich buys THB back. However, buy-back rate always worse than sell rate (they profit on spread). Only exchange back if you have significant leftover baht (5,000+ THB). Small amounts (1,000-2,000 THB), keep for next Thailand trip or spend at airport before departure.
Cash only. SuperRich exchanges physical currency—they don’t handle card transactions. Must bring cash rupees or other physical currency to exchange.
SuperRich (and all Thai exchanges) reject torn, damaged, excessively folded, or very old notes. They prefer large denominations (₹500, ₹2000). Solution: Exchange rejected notes at your Indian bank before trip. Carry clean, crisp notes.
You can carry more but must declare at Indian customs and provide purpose/documentation. Most Indian tourists carry ₹15,000-25,000 cash + rely on cards/ATMs for rest. Undeclared amounts above ₹25,000 risk confiscation and penalties.
Best: Niyo Global Card, HDFC Forex Plus, ICICI Travel Card (zero/minimal markup). Acceptable: HDFC/ICICI/SBI debit cards (3.5% markup + ₹150-250 ATM fee). Avoid: Credit cards (cash advance fees + interest).
Generally better rates in Thailand than India for THB exchange. Exception: If you find authorized Indian dealer offering competitive rate, exchange small amount (₹5,000-10,000) for arrival convenience. Do bulk exchange at SuperRich in Thailand.
Exchange rates fluctuate constantly. Rates mentioned reflect November 2025 approximate market conditions and may change. Always verify current rates before exchanging. SuperRich locations and hours subject to change—check official websites before visiting. ATM fees and bank charges vary by institution—confirm with your bank. Currency regulations subject to RBI and Thai government policies. This guide provides general information, not financial advice. Individual circumstances vary.
Eccentric Blogger, Traveler and Consultant.
