Credit Cards

A Highly Convenient Card

If your card supports international ATMs, you can withdraw cash in local currency from your Japanese bank account at Thai ATMs. You can withdraw only the amount you need, so there’s no need to carry large sums of cash, which is very convenient. However, in addition to withdrawal fees, a few percent may be added to the exchange rate, making it slightly less favorable compared to exchanging cash locally.

The most widely accepted cards are VISA and MASTER.

In Phuket, most stores in shopping centers such as Central Festival and Jungceylon, as well as large foreign supermarkets like Tesco Lotus and Big-C, accept credit cards. While some locations may also accept cards other than VISA and MASTER, these two remain the most reliably usable. In areas like Patong Beach and Kata Beach, well-established stores generally accept credit cards, but small souvenir shops, local restaurants, and bars mostly accept cash only. Additionally, depending on the store, a few percent bank fee may be added to credit card payments.