Thailand's currency is called the Thai baht (Thai: บาท, sign: ฿; code: THB).
Preferred Payment Method
You will be expected to use Thai baht for all cash purchases as other currencies are not accepted in Thailand. Currency exchange booths are found in all international airports and in most of touristy areas so you won’t be short of local currency if you will bring enough cash.
Even if credit cards are increasingly accepted, for most day-to-day purchases when dealing with small businesses in Thailand you will have to use cash.
Cash Withdrawal from ATMs
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.
Currency Exchange
Bringing cash and exchanging it in Thailand is usually the cheapest option as there are currency exchange companies offering really good rates. In Bangkok you should be looking for one of Super Rich currency exchange booths. More information about them can be found here: Super Rich Thailand – Best Currency Exchange in Bangkok.
If you'll be arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can exchange your currency at good rates there too. Check Where to Get the Best Foreign Exchange Rates at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
More information about the best rates offered at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport can be found here: Super Rich Suvarnabhumi Airport – Best Foreign Exchange Rates.
Current Thai baht exchange rates
Current Thai baht exchange to US dollars, Euro and other currencies rates (approximate):
Thai baht notes and Thai baht coins
Thai baht notes
Thai baht notes present different value, as following:
- Green note = 20 baht,
- Blue note = 50 baht,
- Red note = 100 baht,
- Purple note = 500 baht,
- Grey note = 1,000 baht.
Getting a change from largest Thai baht notes (500 and 1000 baht) 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.
Thai baht coins
Thai baht coins are also represented - Thailand currency coins include:
- 1 baht,
- 2 baht,
- 5 baht,
- 10 baht,
- 25 and 50 satang.
The obverse of Thailand currency coins features the image of Thailand’s King. A big part of the coins circulating in Thailand still feature the portrait of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) but newly minted Thai coins already feature the portrait of H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). All these coins are valid for usage.
The reverse of Thai Baht coins depicts the most famous temples in Thailand. The temples featured on Thai currency coins are as follows:
- 10 baht coin - Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) in Bangkok
- 5 baht coin - Wat Benjamabophit (the Marble Temple) in Bangkok
- 2 baht coin – Wat Saket (the Golden Mountain) in Bangkok
- 1 baht coin – Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok
- 50 satang coin - Wat Prathat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai
- 25 satang coin - Wat Phra Mahathat in Nakhon Si Thammarat
However, the reverse of all newly minted coins featuring the portrait of Rama X features the monogram of Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Both 25 and 50 satang coins are rarely used as normally all the prices are rounded to 1 baht, except of prices at some supermarkets. Don’t be surprised if these Thailand currency coins won’t be accepted elsewhere.
Be aware that 2 baht coins can’t be used on older ticket vending machines (BTS SkyTrain, MRT Metro, Airport Rail Link) and other machines accepting coins.
Important!
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 10 Thai Culture Aspects You Need to Know Before Traveling to Thailand.