Thai money: coins and banknotes

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Are you going on vacation and have chosen Thailand (Phuket)? The money of this country is something that every tourist will have to deal with. And this applies not only to Phuket and other popular places. The extremely respectful, even reverent attitude of the Thais towards their own currency and the extreme unwillingness to make payments in the euros or dollars that are so quoted in our country are known. That is why, once at the Bangkok airport, foreigners have to immediately start exchanging part of the cash for local currency units. Since 1928, this has been the Thai baht.

The international classification code for Thai money is ISO-4217, the Thai currency is abbreviated as THB.

What money will you find in Thailand?

Today, paper banknotes of only five specific denominations are in circulation in the country: 20 baht each (a bill with a predominance of green in design), 50 baht (mostly blue), 100 baht (red), 500 baht (lilac). The largest is the "money" worth 1000 baht, decorated in brown tones.

Metal money of Thailandare represented mainly by Thai baht in denominations from 1 to 10. One and five baht are minted in silver, but the second of them is larger and, thanks to the original form of coinage, at first glance looks like faceted. A two-bat coin (made of yellow metal) is much rarer than a 1 baht coin.

The largest in thickness and diameter is a coin of 10 baht. It is bimetallic - a silver ring running along the edge borders the central yellow circle.

About Thai little things

Each Thai baht is equal to one hundred satang - Thai "penny". Small coins of 25 and 50 satang can be found in circulation. Both of them are bronze-red. The probability of getting acquainted with such money to the average tourist during a normal short trip to this country is not too great. This is due to the fact that both in stores and in the markets, prices have long been rounded to baht.

Sometimes a small change can be received as change, but it is unlikely to be used as money - you won’t be able to buy anything with it, you just have to throw it as alms on the street or keep it as a keepsake.

Coins are minted in Thailand like American ones - you can look at the reverse side by turning it upside down (vertically), and not like in Europe - horizontally. And it can be confusing at first.

Get used to baht

When going to Thailand, get ready to spend money only in the national currency, and therefore information about its current exchange rate is always up to date. This data is constantlyupdated by SCB Bank - one of the largest in the country.

In resorts, going to the exchange office of any other bank, you may encounter a slight discrepancy in rates, but the differences are not so great as to cause serious damage to the tourist budget.

You can also exchange our Russian rubles for Thai money, but in recent years such an exchange has not been very profitable. Although relatively recently their mutual exchange rate was 1:1.

Where is the best place to exchange currency

The exchange rate is not the same everywhere. As in any country actively visited by tourists, changing money right at the airport is the most unprofitable business for foreigners. Any bank knows that a tourist needs local banknotes immediately upon arrival. If, for example, the purpose of your trip from the airport through Thailand is Pattaya, you need money both for the bus and just to have a bite to eat on the way. And that is why the exchange rate for buying a dollar or euro at airports is always artificially low.

It is not very profitable to change currency in exchange offices located in hotels and guesthouses. On the exchange of a 100-dollar bill, a tourist loses an average of 80 to 100 baht, which is equal to the cost of lunch at a local cafe or a couple of bottles of beer. Exchange rates may differ even in two neighboring points, since all banks in Thailand dictate their own conditions to their branches located in resorts. Those wishing to save money are advised to go around several such points in a row and choose where Thailand's money is offered the cheapest. Fortunately, there are enough exchangers in the country, especiallyin places of rest for tourists. Many of them, for example, in Pattaya, work until late in the evening.

Features of dollar exchange

Those who are going on vacation to this country should remember about the stable exchange rate of the Thai baht in recent years, but its slight fluctuations occur literally every day. You can save a little more by bringing money (especially US dollars) in large bills. The exchange rate set by banks on the scoreboard, as a rule, exists in three versions:

• for one- and two-dollar bills (least beneficial to the dealer);
• for 5, 10 or 20 bills (slightly more expensive);
• for dollars in the form of banknotes of 50 and 100 units (the most optimal from the point of view of the tourist).

Strange as it may seem, there is no such gradation for other world currencies, including the euro. Also know: old American dollars (issued before 1966) will not be accepted in a street exchanger, you should take care in advance to bring newer banknotes with you.

Important nuances

Citizens of Russia should not have problems with the exchange of rubles for Thai money lately - such a procedure is quite affordable in most places popular among tourists. Sometimes the direct exchange rate on the information board may not be displayed, but this does not mean that the procedure is impossible - you just need to contact the operator.

Important nuance! Do not forget that any money in Thailand, both banknotes and coins, containsking image. Its own monarch is highly respected by the inhabitants of the country, and therefore any manifestation of a disdainful attitude towards the royal person is fraught with severe retribution for desecration - from attacks by an angry mob on the street to criminal charges.

That's why never disrespect Thai banknotes - don't crumple, don't throw them on the ground and don't step on them!

A little excursion into the past

The history of the Thai baht (THB) dates back to ancient times. The population of Indochina used the term "bat" to mean the so-called tikal, which also served as a unit of mass. From 1350 until the 19th century, Siam, the most powerful and powerful Thai state, minted silver and gold ingots of non-standard convex shape, large in weight (1.215 kg). Since 1861, the English mint began to produce ordinary, European-looking round coins for the needs of Siam.

Banknotes were also issued at that time, called tikals and tamlungs. They finished printing them in 1918. The Thai baht as an independent national currency "was born" on April 15, 1928 and remains in this capacity to this day.

About small coins

The name of the satang - a small Thai bargaining coin - is translated from the Pali language as "one hundredth", which is true. The satang has been minted since 1898, that is, it officially appeared before the baht. 25 such smallcoins in the vernacular are called "salueng".

Thai coins have always been distinguished by a variety of weights and shapes. The largest in value are those that are 10 baht each. Small - 25 satang. Each of the coins, as already mentioned, is issued with the image of a royal portrait. It is printed on the front side, and on the back there may be various mythological characters, etc. Often there are reverses with minted temples, the importance of which for the people of Thailand can hardly be overestimated.

Russia - Thailand: money (rate, local features, etc.)

Our tourist, in a sense, is easier than, say, a Frenchman or a German. You do not have to make difficult calculations if you are going to Thailand. Money (the exchange rate against the ruble is difficult to name, since it constantly fluctuates, albeit slightly; for example, at the beginning of April 2017, they ask for about 163.2 Russian rubles for 100 baht) here they cost about the same, and the Thai currency is converted into close ones in value to our ruble figures. Thus, when calculating the future expenses for a vacation in this country, our tourist can operate with prices in the usual monetary units. In addition, many goods and services here are much cheaper than Russian ones.

You can cash out Thai currency at a huge number of ATMs that work with most standard bank cards, such as MasterCard or Visa. The commission in them is fixed (150 baht), cashout limits are from 20,000 to 30,000 baht. You can withdraw money from the card without commissionthrough the bank, presenting a scan of the passport.

With what money to go to Thailand? Going to the country for a long time, it is worth stocking up with dollars, since in the process of cashing out, banks initially convert rubles, euros, and other money into US dollars. If the trip is going to be short, you can carry a card with rubles on it. If you are importing more than $10,000, you will need to declare it to Russian customs.

On the question of tips

They are accepted in the service sector of any country, and Thailand is no exception. Their size is usually kept within reasonable limits. Throwing away money is not accepted here, at the same time, having received a handful of little things, the staff may feel offended. The amount of the tip cannot exceed the cost of the service itself. Taxi meters are simply rounded up. Although this is not always the case.

In hotels, "extra" money is left for maids and luggage porters. Tipping with dollars is not accepted.

It is better not to try to "pay off" from retribution for something forbidden (such as smoking in the wrong places) - it will definitely not work to avoid a fine.

If you follow these simple rules, then you can relax in this beautiful country at a very reasonable cost, wisely spending the planned budget and getting the most excellent experience.