Cash, Cards and Payment Norms

Payment norms on Koh Samui split clearly by venue. At night markets, walking streets and fresh markets, cash (Thai baht) in small denominations is the rule, and many stalls have no card reader at all. A 2026 market guide notes that most vendors now also accept PromptPay, Thailand's QR-code payment system, but that only helps visitors with a Thai bank app or compatible wallet. Malls, supermarkets, brand shops and most restaurants accept cards, and prices there are fixed. ATMs are widespread, including near all market areas, but Thai bank ATMs charge a foreign-card fee of 250–350 THB per withdrawal (350 THB for Mastercard), so withdrawing a larger amount once is cheaper than many small withdrawals. Practical market kit: small notes (20, 50, 100 baht), a reusable bag, and hand sanitizer. For transport, Grab and the local NaviGo app work on the island for cashless rides to markets.

Where: Island-wide

Map Reference

Applies island-wide

Access

Applies at all shopping venues.

Paid access

Not applicable

Opening hours

Not applicable

Entrance fee

None

Best time

Not applicable

Seasonality

Year-round

Accessibility

Not applicable

Parking

Not applicable

Transport

Not applicable

Highlights

• Cash essential at markets
• PromptPay QR common among vendors
• 250–350 THB ATM foreign-card fee (Mastercard 350)
• Cards accepted in malls and larger shops

Local tips

• Withdraw larger amounts less often to reduce ATM fees
• Carry 20/50/100 baht notes for markets
• Do not rely on cards outside malls and supermarkets

Safety

• Keep cash secure in crowds
• Use ATMs attached to banks or inside malls where possible

Nearby public places

• All of the island's night markets and walking streets

Frequently asked questions

Do Koh Samui markets accept credit cards?

Rarely. Most stalls are cash-only, though many now accept PromptPay QR payments, which mainly helps those with a Thai bank app.

How much is the ATM fee in Thailand?

Thai bank ATMs charge 250 THB (Visa/UnionPay/JCB) to 350 THB (Mastercard) per foreign-card withdrawal, plus your home bank fee, so withdraw larger amounts less frequently.

Where can I pay by card on Koh Samui?

Malls, supermarkets, brand stores and most restaurants accept cards. Markets and small stalls generally do not.