I already mentioned the ATMs which try to rob you every time you touch their buttons. Shops and restaurants do pretty much the same thing. There has been a limited amount of places one can pay with a card. And of course you can forget about card payment at the local night markets. But places like big supermarkets, McDonalds, Starbucks (international brands), fancy-er restaurants accept card payment.

BUT, it was my firt time when I heard "we don't accept mastercard, only visa" (well, it was said "NO MASTERCARD... Visa!" ) but I got the point. From my experience I know that it is usually hard to pay with American Express but who cares, we are not Americans, but Mastercard? It is the most accepted card ever!!! how come a place accepts visa and doesn't accept mastercard?

Anyway, that's not all!

I had a visa with me too, but I don't use it outside Europe because those suckers (my bank, which issued that visa) takes about 1,6 % for converting to foreign currency (not much, but little by little...). Then it turned out that the shop only accepts cards for purchases over 500 Baht.

Needless to say i had to pay cash, and it was that time when we were low on cash.

notes to self (and others)

• keep both visa and mastercard with you when traveling to Asia
• it is hard to pay with card in general (not many places accept cards)
• When you pay with card they will probably charge you additional 2-5% ( I can never figure out when it's 2, when it's 3 and when it is 5, but I have seen all).
• ATM withdrawal will charge you about 220 - 250 Baht no matter the amount.
• ATMs usually have withdrawal limit (about 20 000 baht) so they can rob you again.

PS about that extra 2-5 % charge when paying with card. Sometimes they don't mention the charge to you, but just add it on top of the bill, so keep eyes open or ask before paying with card.