Like many currencies, Thailand’s currency is available in coins and banknotes. Paper banknotes come in denominations of 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht, 500 baht, and 1,000 baht, with 100 baht being the most commonly used. The Thai Onshore Baht (THB) is the everyday currency used to purchase goods and services in Thailand. The Thai government has put restrictions on currency trading with other countries to limit currency speculation. Offshore banks (banks outside Thailand) cannot exchange THB with foreign currency. Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in Thailand.
- Adam received his master’s in economics from The New School for Social Research and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in sociology.
- Thailand’s central bank, the Bank of Thailand, authorizes all minting of Thai coins and printing of Thai banknotes.
- Usually, having a few different ways to pay and get cash is the best option for travelers and tourists.
- A few providers in the US offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in THB.
- Avoid exchanging money at hotels or high-traffic tourist areas, as the rates may not be as favorable.
- Thailand’s military government took over control following a 2014 coup-d’etat.
Money transfers
- Trains can be a good choice for you to transfer from city to city.
- Do you have any additional tips and ideas about making payment and using money in Thailand, or traveling in general?
- In fact, each banknote denomination has a different thickness and feel, so it’s easier to tell them apart when handling Thai currency.
- Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.
- The baht is a crucial part of Thailand’s tourism-driven economy, as millions of visitors exchange currencies each year.
- The obverse of Thailand currency coins features the image of Thailand’s King.
This Thai Baht and United States Dollar convertor is up to date with exchange rates from February 13, 2025. That’s a sign of dynamic currency conversion, which usually means extra costs. ATMs are widely used in Thailand so withdrawing money in target-currency is easy, particularly in big cities and Bangkok. Getting a change from largest Thai baht notes (500 and 1000 baht) velocity trade sometimes can be complicated on the street if you’re just buying some snack for 10 baht or so. Use largest Thai currency notes for paying at supermarkets and other larger shops and restaurants and leave some smaller notes for your accidental purchases on the street.
Central Bank Rates
Trains can be a good choice for you to transfer from Forex best pairs to trade city to city. A ticket for an express train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai may cost from 400 to 1500 THB (12 to 44 USD) due to the different types of class of service you choose. Personally, I mostly use cash in Thailand, because I buy most of my food in markets where only cash is accepted, and the same is true for public transportation, and services like laundry, for example. Since then, I just make sure I always have at least two different credit cards with me, and always have some cash. Do you have any additional tips and ideas about making payment and using money in Thailand, or traveling in general? The current series of Thai banknotes, the 2018 series, all feature a portrait of the country’s King, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, on the obverse side.
THB to USD Chart
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand’s current king, has his face on the 20-, 50-, and 100-baht banknotes. King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s face is on the most recent editions of the 500- and 1,000-baht banknotes, which were issued on his birthday in 2018. The primary colors and sizes of the notes are the same as before, with the back designs featuring images of the kings of Thailand in order from past to present.
Related articles about the Thai Baht
The currency was originally known as the tical and this name was used in the English area text on banknotes until 1925. Whether you need to make cross-border payments or FX risk management solutions, we’ve got you covered. Schedule https://www.forex-reviews.org/ international transfers across 130 currencies in 190+ countries.
Thailand’s currency has gone through many changes over the years, but it’s one of the most frequently traded currencies in the world. The Bank of Thailand uses a process called intaglio printing that leaves the print slightly raised, which allows for a very tactile feel compared to other currencies. This law prohibits any verbal, physical, or written act that exhibits disrespectful behavior toward the king or any member of the royal family.
Thai Baht
It was officially established as the country’s currency in 1897 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Over the years, the Baht has undergone various changes in design and security features to guard against counterfeiting. The currency’s name, Baht, has its roots in a unit of weight for silver used in trade. Like the British pound sterling, the baht was originally based on a unit of mass – specifically, 15 grams. The value of 1 baht was equal to 15 grams of silver, and all baht coins were composed of solid silver of a designated amount.
Best Currency to Use in Thailand
Explore the latest verified reviews of Odynovo’s travel services on Tripadvisor, Google, Trustpilot, Product Review and more trusted platforms. Tipping is not a common culture in Thailand, but it is appreciated. You can tip off a few dollars as an appreciation of your drivers, tour guides, or the cleaning staff and porters in the hotel. The prices of hotels in Thailand vary from ฿600 to ฿3000 (approximately 20 to 90 USD) and more. For a 4-star hotel, the price ranges from ฿1500 to ฿3000 (approximately 44 to 90 USD) due to different locations and seasons. For the 5-star hotel and luxury resorts, prices start from ฿3000 (approximately 90 USD) and can go up to several hundred dollars.
Before arriving in Thailand, consider exchanging a small amount of your home currency to Baht for immediate expenses upon arrival. Currency exchange services are available at international airports, banks, and exchange booths in major cities and tourist destinations. Our exchange rate API offers real-time, accurate, and reliable data for hundreds of currencies. Xe’s proprietary rates are sourced directly from financial data providers and reputable banks. Once you have THB in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either. Thai Baht is the most convenient currency to use in Thailand.
Banknotes – 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 THB and coins – 1, 2, 5, 10 THB; 25, 50 satang. Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel. All Thai baht notes and coins have the image of His Majesty the King and should be treated with respect. Deep respect for the king is one of things about Thai culture that you need to know before traveling to Thailand. If you’ll be arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can exchange your currency at good rates there too when using the service of this Bangkok Airport Exchange. International access ATMs can be found across Thailand but they charge extra 220 THB for every withdrawal additionally to the transaction fee for overseas withdrawals of your card.