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As cash payments are still preferred in Thailand, getting local currency is almost unavoidable when traveling around Chiang Rai. If you are looking for the money changer offering the best exchange rate in the city, check our review of money exchange in Chiang Rai - currency exchange at banks, Super Rich and other money changers.

As you might already know, ATMs in Thailand charge extra fee for all international card withdrawals, so exchanging foreign currency is normally the cheapest option for getting Thai Baht (THB) here. Chiang Rai is not exclusion.


If you're not comfortable with carrying a large amount of cash to exchange in Thailand but still want to get much better exchange rate on your payments and withdrawals than your regular bank card is offering, consider getting Wise Card that lets you spend abroad with the real exchange rate and works well in Thailand.


Money Exchange in Chiang Rai

Even if money changers in Chiang Rai are not as numerous as in Chiang Mai, it’s not difficult to find one in the central area of the city where most of the tourists opt to stay.

Currency exchange at Chiang Rai Airport (CEI)

If you are arriving at Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), you will find money changers right at the airport. However, currency exchange rates at Chiang Rai Airport are significantly worse than you can get in the city center, so exchanging your foreign currency here is recommended only if you need to get some local money for getting to central Chiang Rai.

Money changer near Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

Located on Phaholyothin Road, right by the entrance to Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and in a short walking distance from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, this money changer is the one that you might pass very often when staying in Chiang Rai. Exchanging money here is convenient if you suddenly get short of Thai Baht while spending your time at the main Chiang Rai’s night time shopping venue.

Currency Exchange in Chiang Rai - Best Money Changers

However, currency exchange rates offered by the money changer near Chiang Rai Night Bazaar were the worst we could see while making our little research of currency exchange in Chiang Rai. For 1 US Dollar you could get only 29.095 THB, for 1 Euro – 32.098 THB, for 1 British Pound – 36.17 THB, for 1 Australian Dollar – 19.375 THB.

Currency Exchange in Chiang Rai - Best Money Changers

Depending on the currency, exchange rates here were about 4-9% lower than market rates. Definitely not the best rate, as they are stating. Even the banks and hotels in Chiang Rai were offering better exchange rates.

Money exchange at Chiang Rai Hotel

Another place that we have visited when looking for the best currency exchange rate in the city was Chiang Rai Hotel. Money exchange is offered at the lobby of this hotel.

Currency Exchange in Chiang Rai - Best Money Changers

Currency exchange rates offered by money changer at Chiang Rai Hotel were significantly better than we could get near Chiang Rai Night Bazaar as here for 1 US Dollar you were getting 29.43 THB, for 1 Euro – 33.13 THB, for 1 British Pound – 38.43 THB, for 1 Australian Dollar – 20.15 THB.

Currency Exchange in Chiang Rai - Best Money Changers

Depending on the currency, exchange rates here were about 1.6-4% lower than market rates.

Currency exchange at the banks in Chiang Rai

As there are not so many independent money changers in Chiang Rai, exchanging currency at the bank here is not such a bad idea if only you are looking for currency exchange during bank opening hours. 

We are used to seeing independent money changers offering better exchange rates than the rates offered by the banks in Bangkok. In Chiang Rai situation seems to be a bit different, as here it’s not so easy to find a money changer offering a better rate than the bank.

On the day of our research, Krungthai Bank for 1 US Dollar was offering 29.88 THB, for 1 Euro – 33.18 THB, for 1 British Pound – 38.54 THB, for 1 Australian Dollar – 20.09 THB.

Currency Exchange in Chiang Rai - Best Money Changers

Exchange rates of the main currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) at the bank were about 1.2-1.5% lower than market rates. The gap between the bank exchange rate and market rate was bigger for less popular currencies.

Current currency exchange rates offered by Krungthai Bank can be found here: Krungthai Bank Rates.

Best exchange rate in Chiang Rai

Even if it’s not so easy to find, you still can get a better currency exchange rate in Chiang Rai than the one offered by the bank.

Super Rich Chiangmai is not related to any of the two famous SuperRich companies operating in Bangkok. However, this company seems to be offering some of the best exchange rates in Northern Thailand.

Super Rich Money Exchange has a branch in Chiang Rai that can be found here: location of Super Rich Chiang Rai.

If compared to exchange rates at the banks in Chiang Rai, Super Rich is offering better rates. At the time of writing US Dollar exchange rate at Super Rich Chiangmai was by 0.30 THB, Euro exchange rate – by 0.38 THB, British Pound exchange rate – by 0.56 THB and Australian Dollar exchange rate – by 0.48 THB better than at the bank.

For more information check Super Rich Money Exchange in Chiang Rai.

Other money changers in Chiang Rai

New money exchange office called S.M.S. Exchange (Safe Money Service Exchange) was about to open right by the Chiang Rai New Clock Tower during the time of our visit. Let’s hope that they will be able to offer competitive exchange rates combined with convenient location.

Currency Exchange in Chiang Rai - Best Money Changers

As currency exchange market is dynamic and some of money changers in Chiang Rai are closing down their businesses while others are just opening, it’s really worth to shop around before exchanging your money as every place seems to be claiming to offer the best rate in town even if in reality finding fair exchange rate in Chiang Rai is not that easy.

Tips

To enjoy the best THB exchange rate for your card payments and withdrawals, get Wise Card that is offering mid-market exchange rate with only a small conversion fee.

If you are flying to Chiang Rai from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), you can find really good currency exchange rates there.

Discover the best of the city and province by including these Chiang Rai tourist attractions in your Thailand's must-visit list.

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