Thai monetary units. currency in thailand

The national currency of Thailand is the Thai baht (THB).

The Thai baht is subdivided into 100 satang.

Payment for goods and services with foreign money is prohibited in Thailand. All payments are accepted in baht only. Torn notes are not accepted by most banks, hotels, shops and restaurants.

Money exchange in Thailand

For baht exchange within Thailand, the most appropriate world currency is the US dollar, followed by the British pound and the euro. Exchange operations are carried out by any banks in Thailand or private exchange offices (in tourist centers, hotels, etc.). Banks in Thailand and certified exchange offices take a commission for exchanging or withdrawing money, street money changers do not take commissions, but there is a high probability of fraud.

The dollar exchange rate in Thailand's exchange offices, located at airports and hotels, is often greatly underestimated compared to the bank.

The exchange rate in Thailand is quite stable, but when exchanging dollars for baht, it should be remembered that the higher the denomination of a dollar bill, the more favorable the exchange rate in Thailand for it (a difference of 2-5%).

How much money to take to Thailand

For a comfortable stay in the country (accommodation, transport, food, souvenirs, etc.), the average tourist should always carry the equivalent of $100 per person per day in cash. To this amount, it is desirable to add a cash reserve of $ 200 in case of unforeseen circumstances. Excursions in Thailand cost an average of $32-42.

In Thailand, it is customary to bargain in markets and souvenir shops. Discount from the original price can be up to 30%.

Tipping in Thailand is customary to leave in tourist areas. Taxi fare is rounded up by $ 0.3, porters are usually paid extra $ 0.6-1.3 (depending on the load), restaurant tips - 5-10% of the bill, for cleaning the room - 0.6- $ 1.3, in a massage parlor or spa, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of $ 1.3-7.

The "Land of Smiles" is not the cheapest place in Asia.
At the major seaside resorts in Thailand, prices can come close to
global. Tourists from Russia can safely focus on the lower bar of domestic prices.

Approximate prices in Thailand

A liter of gasoline - $ 1.2
1 Day Metro Pass - $1.2
Short taxi ride - $4
1 liter of drinking water - 1 $
Coffee in a cafe - 3-5 $
Breakfast at the hotel - 3 $
Bottle of wine in the store - $7
Beer - $3 per liter
Fried rice with chicken at a street food/restaurant - $1.2 / $2.2
Fruits: bananas / coconut / mango - $0.8 / $0.5 / $1.6 per kg
T-shirt souvenir - 1.5-3 $
Beach towel in the store - $3
Parasailing - 1.2 $ / 10 min.
Jet ski rental - $16 per person for half an hour
Massage session - 7-42 $ for 1.5 hours
Hotel room with air conditioning - 10-13 $ per day

Payment for goods and services in Thailand is made exclusively in baht. The above prices correspond to the average exchange rate of dollars for baht in the exchange offices of major banks in Thailand.

Banks of Thailand

You can withdraw cash either from banks in Thailand or from street ATMs. Banks in Thailand are open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 15:30 (less often until 20:00). After 15:00, it is quite difficult to find a working bank in Thailand.

ATMs in Thailand, unlike banks, work around the clock, but charge a commission of $ 5 for each transaction (you can withdraw up to $ 644 at a time). ATMs and banks in Thailand can be easily found in all major cities, as well as in tourist resorts.

The most popular plastic cards in Thailand are:

mastercard
Maestro
Diners Club
American Express

They are accepted for payment by most restaurants, supermarkets and hotels in Thailand.

In some places there is a tax of 3 - 5% on credit card transactions,
Therefore, before paying by credit card, you need to find out the terms of payment.

Central Bank of Thailand

Central Bank of Thailand(Bank of Thailand) specializes not in conducting financial and credit operations, but in regulating the activities of more than 30 commercial banks in the country and maintaining the stability of the national currency. The Bank of Thailand is located in the center of the capital on Bangkhunprom Road.

Major banks in Thailand

Bangkok bankbank- the largest commercial bank in Thailand, more than 600 branches across the country.

Address: 333 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500,Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 231-43-33
www.bangkokbank.com

Bank KrungThaibank- the second largest bank in Thailand.

Address: 35 Sukhumvit Rd., Klong Toey Nua Subdistrict, Wattana District, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 255-22-22
www.ktb.co.th

Bank SiamCommercialbank is the oldest commercial bank in Thailand.

Head Office Address: 9 Ratchadaphisek Road, SCB Park, Chatuchak, Bangkok,Thailand
Phone: + ( 66 2) 777-77-77
www.scb.co.th/en

Bank Kasikornbank- the most innovative and high-tech bank in Thailand.

Head office address: 1 Soi. Kasikornthai, Ratburana Road, Bangkok 10140,Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 888-88-82
www.kasikornbank.com

Bank TMBbank- A bank whose shareholders and main clients are the Thai military.

Head office address: 3000 Phahon Yothin Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 299-11-11
www.tmbbank.com

Citibank- one of the largest foreign banks in Thailand.

Head Office Address: 99 Sukhumvit Road, Interchange 21 Building, Klongtoey Nua Sub-district, Wattana District, Bangkok 10110,Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 788-20-00
www.citibank.com

Money transfer to Thailand

There are several ways to transfer money to Thailand:

currency bank transfers
telegraphic transfers
credit card transfer

You can transfer money to Thailand to a card or bank account ($ 30 per transfer). Many experts recommend using a City Bank card, which has offices in Bangkok and other major cities in Thailand. For Russian citizens, it will be convenient to use a Sberbank card (up to $ 5,000 per day without opening an account), since the baht against the ruble is more stable than against the dollar.

Instruction

First you need to decide how it is more convenient for you to import currency into Thailand. This can be done in two ways: cash or plastic cards. There is also a third way - traveler's checks, but it is not very popular in Asian countries, it is not recommended to carry such checks to Thailand, since it can be very difficult to exchange them for money.

Rubles. Oddly enough, in Thailand it is quite possible to make purchases using Russian rubles. But this will not work everywhere. Rubles are accepted in some places in Pattaya and Bangkok. They can be exchanged for baht at the country's main airport - Suvarbanahumi in Bangkok. However, the course is predatory in relation to it, so this method can be classified as extreme.

In general, if you arrive at Bangkok airport, you can take with you almost any currency of a major country in the world. Right at the airport, even before passport control, you will see exchange offices, and the list of currencies in them is impressive, as well as rates that are very far from the real ratio of exchange rates. You can find exchange offices that accept various currencies in all major cities in Thailand. The course there is usually a little more profitable than at the airport, but how lucky.

Thai baht. This option seems the most obvious and reasonable, but not everything is simple with it. Finding a bank in Russia that issues Thai currency is very difficult even in Moscow. If you have little time in the capital, for example, you make a short transfer in Moscow, then it will be unrealistic to change rubles for baht in advance.

dollars or euros. If you are going to travel with cash, then this option is the most profitable. Dollars and euros are accepted in any exchange office, the rates are usually acceptable. A strange feature of Thai exchangers: the larger the dollar or euro bill, the higher the rate at which it will be exchanged for you.

If you take a plastic card, then make sure that it is international. Some Russian banks issue cards that are accepted only in Russian banks. It is best to have a card of a standard not lower than Visa Classic or Mastercard Standard. One or more accounts can be linked to, their currency does not matter: the conversion when withdrawing money through occurs automatically.

When withdrawing money from a bank card, it should be borne in mind that the conversion usually takes place through dollars at the bank's internal exchange rate. So, if your account is in rubles, then there will be two conversions, rubles-dollars, and then dollars-baht. Sometimes the conversion is carried out through euros if the account is in euros. If your bank provides a fee for using someone else's ATM, it will write it off. There is also a commission from the Thai bank itself, usually it is at least 150-180 baht. It turns out that it is better to withdraw money less often, but in larger amounts.

Another way to get money from a bank account: you need to come to any Thai bank with your card and passport. Some banks allow you to withdraw money without commission. It happens that the branch does not have a device to service the card, then they will recommend you to use an ATM.

What money to take to Thailand always worries vacationers, especially those who decide to go to this country for the first time. Before leaving, carefully approach the solution of this problem and think about how and where you will change money in Thailand, whether you will take cash or a bank card and many other little things.

Cash in Thailand

Most often, travelers carry with them a thick wallet with cash bills that they plan to spend during the trip. This option is not the most suitable, only because in Thai hotels and banks there is nothing that would be adapted for storing money, except for safes in the room and safe deposit boxes at the reception. There are cases that even when storing the currency in the safe of the room, it disappeared. Not all hotel employees in Thailand are honest and conscientious.

It is better to take some cash, leave the rest of the money on the card and withdraw as needed.

Which currency is more convenient

What to take to Thailand: dollars or euros is not so important, but whether to take rubles to Thailand worries most Russian vacationers.

It will be better if you exchange Russian money for traditional dollars or euros, in this case it will take much less time. Regarding the exchange rate of money, 50 and 100 dollar bills have a higher exchange rate, so it is more profitable to change them than small ones.

Upon arrival, you can exchange some money at the airport so that you have at your disposal - Thai baht, for travel and other trifles, until you get to an exchange office with a favorable rate. This option is more suitable for independent travelers.

Most often, the exchange of money in Thailand takes place in banks. If you do not have time to get to the bank, so as not to be deceived and exchange funds profitably, do this at specialized points with the inscription Exchange. It is not worth changing money in a hotel or guesthouse, as the exchange rate leaves much to be desired.

How to bring money to Thailand

After you have decided what money to take to Thailand (dollar bills or euros), you should think about how to take them. You can carry money in the form of cash, but there are safer ways.

The most versatile option is traveler's checks. Thomas Cook and American Express checks can be easily exchanged for Thai baht at any banking institution, be it the bank itself or a branch. A commission of about 30 baht is taken from a check, but their exchange rate is much higher. When you buy such checks from a Russian bank, you will also be charged a small commission, which varies from the bank's tariffs. Before buying checks, read the rules on how to transport money to Thailand.

If traveler's checks exceed $10,000, you must enter the data on the declaration, otherwise there are no import restrictions.

Bank cards

Russian tourists can easily use VISA and Mastercard debit and credit cards in Thailand. But it is better to check with your bank representative in advance whether it is possible to use their card in this country. When withdrawing money from ATMs upon arrival, it is better to calculate the costs in advance and cash out a large amount so that you do not pay a commission of at least 150 baht each time.

Also in Thailand, you can easily pay with a card - this applies to large stores. Of course, it is unlikely that the owner of a small store will provide the opportunity to pay with a card, and paying for purchases with a card in shopping centers or chain grocery stores is no problem.

Shopping in Thailand

As for what, you decide for yourself. Firstly, it is personal, and secondly, the amount of money depends on the resort you are going to, on the holiday season. Pattaya is considered the cheapest resort in Thailand - if we talk about a beach holiday. Here you can relax and budget, and on a grand scale - to whom that. The farther from the mass concentrations of tourists, inland, the cheaper it is.

In general, on average, regardless of the resort, if you don’t really deny yourself, but also don’t go all out, 1500-2000 baht per day per person is enough, subject to breakfast at the hotel.

When counting on a certain amount, put some on the card, and take some with you in the form of large bills, preferably euros or dollars.

shopping

Shopping is considered the main entertainment in the country. Therefore, it is not worth buying in advance and taking a lot of things with you, but taking a couple of empty suitcases will not hurt. And then, a suitcase can be bought in Thailand at a ridiculous price.

Shopping centers in Thailand are considered among the best in all of Asia, because the richest assortment and high quality make goods a tasty morsel for shopaholics from all over the world.

The most interesting thing during shopping will be visiting night and floating markets, where you can not only shop profitably, bargain and please yourself with new clothes, but also try local delicacies, chat with Thais and just have fun.

budget shopping

What money to take to Thailand 2016 and how much is purely your ability. The main thing is to correctly calculate the budget (some rest in Thailand for a few dollars a day). If you want to buy more and spend less, you just need to visit the "sale town" called Premium Outlet in Phuket or Outlet Mall in Pattaya. Large resort cities allow tourists to purchase branded items at incredibly low prices with a discount of 30 to 70%.

Despite the fact that prices are very low and can "find an approach" to any wallet, Thailand is not considered one of the cheapest countries. In shopping centers, you are expected far away at low prices, for goods such as fruits, flowers, and more. Those tourists who visit markets for foreigners are especially overpaid. As a rule, there are no price plates and each buyer has his own, which is why many overpay 2 or even three times the market value.

Where is the best place to shop

The most profitable places for are the already mentioned markets. In every city and resort village there are a great many of them. Prices are lower towards the end of the market, so do not rush to buy everything just by going to the "tent city".

Look around, get used to the environment, choose. Also, local markets allow something that can cause resentment in the shopping center. You can safely bargain and earn a discount of up to 50%, at an already low price.

What to buy

Thailand is a country of contrasts, so each place has its own traditions. However, there are things that unite the state and make it whole. Elephants, in all their manifestations, and Thai cosmetics are things that you should definitely buy in Thailand. Such gifts to loved ones and small trinkets for yourself will long remind you of a fabulous journey to the Land of Smiles and warm you with the warmth of Thailand throughout the year.

Advice to those who plan to pay with a card in Thailand - be sure to call the bank and warn that during such and such a period you will be in Thailand and pay for various goods and services with a card. Otherwise, the card may be blocked after the first transaction, regardless of the amount. If you are too lazy and do not call, the bank may block the card in order to prevent fraud.

The current exchange rate of the Thai baht:

Now let's move on to the physical embodiment of the Thai baht, coins and banknotes.

Coins of 1, 5 and 10 satang (actually the equivalent of 1, 5 and 10 kopecks) are rare. Some sources state that they don't "walk" at all. These coins are used, not all of Thailand is rich enough to be ignored. Although they are not readily accepted in shops and cafes in resort areas. You probably won't even see them.

And now pay attention, the same person is depicted on all the coins, this is Bhumibol Adulyadej, the current king of Thailand. We won’t talk much about it, read the material “Thailand, general information about the country”. Everything that concerns the king is sacred, no images of the king can be insulted, under any circumstances. Be careful with Thai coins, don't trample on them or do anything else bad with them, you can go to jail for that, seriously. Especially note that Thai money cannot be thrown in anger at another person, this will also be considered an insult to His Majesty.

There is one more feature. Very rare coins of old issues, they do not have Arabic numerals. That is, you pick up a coin, but you cannot understand what denomination it is. The chances of this happening to you are almost zero. Almost all of these coins have been withdrawn from circulation, but if this happens to you, do not be surprised, feel free to take a coin as a keepsake.

Well, the last thing about coins, many commemorative coins are produced in Thailand. The denomination of these coins is as usual, 1, 5, 10, and higher, namely 20, 50 and 100 baht. Where and how to get them, we will not tell you, you should ask about it on the websites of numismatists.

Often tourists step on a coin if it rolls or step on a banknote if it flies away from the wind. Many do it out of habit, insulting the face of His Majesty ..

Banknotes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 baht. In banknotes, the principle “the larger the denomination, the larger the size” also applies, although banknotes differ only in length, the width of all banknotes is the same.

A good property of baht banknotes is that each denomination has its own color, regardless of the issue series. That is, you can keep two banknotes of the same denomination, they have a different pattern, but the color is the same, which is convenient.

In Thailand, there are some features of money exchange, exchange points are very jealous of banknotes in poor condition, often they simply refuse to exchange, many tourists complain about this. Just try not to take banknotes in poor condition, getting rid of them in Thailand can be harder than in other countries.

You can exchange money already at the airport or, although the rate is not the best, you can’t call it predatory either. The starting amount “for the first time” can be changed here. Money in Thailand is usually changed either at a hotel, or at exchange offices, or at banks. Just look at the course and change for the most profitable. Traditionally, these establishments do not charge any commissions, so if you see the wrong amount, just take the money back and go to another place, since there are a lot of them. We recommend banks, where the rate is profitable and safe. In Thailand, they do not require documents when exchanging currency, you can not take a passport. All of the above is not approved by law, we talk about how this happens in most cases.

While in Thailand, value small money. Thais are not that rich, and 1000 baht is “decent” money. Often, small merchants may not have change from a thousand, and even more so for taxi drivers. In banks, on the contrary, they try to give large bills. Try to “break” a thousand in a large store.

For other interesting facts about Thailand, read our other articles ( links below).

This post is dedicated to money and tourists. Namely, we will answer the popular question, how much money to take to Thailand for 10 days, give recommendations on what currency is better to carry, where it is profitable to change it to Thai baht, how to withdraw money from local ATMs with the greatest benefit and what is the Thai baht exchange rate today.

We live in Pattaya, so everything below in this article applies specifically to this city.

Thai baht exchange rate today

And let's start with the Thai baht exchange rate for today (updated daily). In the most profitable exchangers in Pattaya (yellow and red), the exchange rate of the baht against the ruble and the dollar today is as follows:

1 rub = 0.543 baht.
1 dollar = 32.36 baht.

First, let's talk about where you definitely shouldn't change money:

At the airport (the most unfavorable exchange rate). That is why it is worth ordering and paying for a taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya while still in Russia. In terms of money, it will cost even less than if you take a taxi on the spot.
At branches of local banks;
In exchange offices at shopping centers.

You will find the most favorable rate for exchanging rubles and dollars for Thai baht at the red and yellow exchange offices located on the first line of Jomtien and in the Center of Pattaya. They look like this:

How to withdraw money from ATMs?

You can withdraw money from debit cards (including ruble cards) at any Thai ATM. The maximum amount for one transaction is 20,000 baht. Commission for cashing out - 200-220 baht. To minimize the loss of money due to the payment of commissions, it is better to immediately withdraw the maximum amount. The best way to do this is at the yellow ATMs of Krungsri Bank.

What currency to take to Thailand?

Definitely dollars, if you have them. If not, then buy. Traveling to Thailand with rubles does not make sense at all.

Let's calculate together how much more profitable it is to buy dollars in Russia in order to then exchange them for Thai baht. All figures in the calculation are accurate as of October 22, 2017.

You can buy dollars in Novosibirsk today for 58 rubles. You can exchange them in Pattaya for baht at the rate of 1 dollar = 33.07 baht. Let's say you bought 1,000 dollars (58,000 rubles) and exchanged them in Pattaya for baht. As a result, they received 33,070 baht.

If the same 58,000 rubles are immediately exchanged for baht (without buying dollars), then you will receive 32,248 baht in your hands (at the rate of 0.556). So it’s definitely more profitable to go to Thailand with dollars.

How much money to take?

To calculate how much money you need in Thailand for 10 days, two weeks or any other period, you just need to navigate the prices and have some idea of what you plan to do here. We will help you with the current prices for 2017-2018, otherwise everything is in your hands.

Prices in Pattaya:

Bike rental: 150 baht for a day, 450 baht for 3 days, 750 baht for a week;
Car rental: 650 baht for a day, 2,500 baht for three days, 12,000 baht for a month.
Food in street cafes: 40-60 baht per dish, in tourist places: 80-120 baht per dish, food courts in shopping centers: 40-80 baht;
Coconut - 20 baht;
Fruit cocktail - 25 baht;
Ferry to Koh Lan: 30 baht;
Tuk-tuk fare: 10 baht;
Massage: 150-200 baht for 1 hour;
Minimum prices for excursions;

On average, to have a good rest in Pattaya, for 10 days you will need 300-500 dollars per person. This includes visiting excursions, including quite expensive ones. If you do not show off too much, then $ 500 is enough for two. It all depends on your preferences. If you have breakfast at the hotel and eat at the Basik all day long, then you practically don’t need money at all.