What currency to take to Thailand? Find out which currency is more profitable to take to Thailand

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

Vacation, a long-awaited vacation in distant Thailand… In the process of preparing for such a long-awaited trip, I want to not miss anything, so that the rest is not overshadowed by any shortcomings. The route was planned in advance, tickets were bought, hotels were booked, all questions were resolved, except for one thing - what currency to take with you to Thailand.

Actually, this is a rather significant problem - after all, the right choice in this case can help save a decent amount. That is why most tourists are sure to become interested in this before the trip. But about what currency to take to Thailand, the reviews say different things. The reason for this is the fact that all of their authors visited Thailand at different times, in addition, they stopped and exchanged currency in different places.

This article will help travelers not to get confused and decide foryourself, what kind of currency would be optimal to take with you on a trip.

Baht is the national currency of Thailand

This material would be incomplete if we did not briefly mention the national currency of Thailand - the baht.

It is a national currency issued in the form of coins and banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 baht (metal coins), as well as 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 baht (we are talking about only about paper money). One baht, in turn, is divided into 100 satang, which are small coins.

On all coins and banknotes, one way or another, the king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is very revered by the inhabitants of the country and considered by them to be a semi-divine person. That is why we recommend that you handle Thai money with care.

Thai baht is the only currency used in Thailand for settlements, so you will need to buy Thai baht upon arrival in Thailand. Here is the approximate exchange rate of the baht against the currencies discussed in the article as of April 2015:

• 1 dollar=32.5 baht;
• 1 euro=35 baht;
• 1 ruble=0.7 baht.

Why is it worth taking cash with you to Thailand?

Some people will be tempted to take less cash with them, giving up their choice in favor of money on a plastic card. This path, of course, has the right to exist. Firstly, you can have money on the card in any currency, and when calculating / cashing out in Thailandit will simply be automatically converted into the settlement currency - baht - at the rate of your bank. No problem about what currency to take to Thailand, right? Secondly, in Thailand, almost all large shopping centers are ready to accept cards for payment, and there are no problems with ATMs there.

But in the same way, many points are still not equipped with POS-terminals - and they are unlikely to acquire them in the near future. This is especially true of truly Thai markets and shops, small massage parlors, small unpretentious cafes - in general, those places where you can truly feel the whole atmosphere and authenticity of this beautiful country.

At the same time, the conversion rate of your bank can be completely predatory, and when cashing out money from an ATM, in addition to this, the commission of the bank that owns the ATM will also be withheld. And it is no less than 150 baht, regardless of the amount.

That is why it is recommended to have at least half of the brought funds in the form of cash. But, as you know, it is different. In this regard, the question arises: "What currency should I take with me to Thailand?"

Rubles in Thailand

Since Russians make up a significant part of the tourist flow in Thailand, it is not surprising that here in many local exchange points - currency exchange in English - they will be ready to buy rubles from you and sell baht for them.

That is why many Russians are wondering: "What currency to take to Thailand,rubles or dollars?" Indeed, in addition to the dollar, the native ruble can also be exchanged for baht right on the spot.

So, practical calculations show that it is almost always more profitable to make a double conversion “ruble > dollar / euro > baht” for a trip to Thailand, having bought Western currency in your native country, rather than already in Thailand to change rubles for baht. Most likely, the reason for this is the desire of Thai banks and exchangers to play it safe - after all, the already low (compared to the dollar and euro) confidence in the ruble has now fallen even lower due to low oil prices and current political crises.

In addition, quite a few currency exchange offices accept rubles - but not all of them!

So, leaving aside the ruble as the least profitable option when traveling to Thailand.

Euro in Thailand

It is quite expected that the euro in Thailand is accepted for exchange wherever the dollar is accepted - since Europeans (a significant part of which are Germans) are found everywhere in this country.

So let's ask ourselves what currency to take to Thailand - euros or dollars.

In fact, everything is almost the same here. Euros in Thailand are accepted wherever dollars are accepted. But there is a small factor that is observed in the current period - since 2015, the euro has been in a fever, and there is a steady downward trend in its value against all other currencies.

Besides, payments in euros are not yet so familiar, and the dollar remains the most massive and widespreadcurrency. That is why we give the euro the second place in our ranking.

Dollars in Thailand

In the voting on the topic “what currency is better to take to Thailand”, the US dollar is clearly in the lead. It is difficult to be surprised at this, because the dollar has been and will be the most “main” and well-known currency in the world. Dollar fluctuations are rare, it is accepted in any exchangers across the country.

In addition, it is worth remembering exactly how the development of Thailand as a tourist country began, because it was the Americans who laid the foundation for this. During the Vietnam War, many American soldiers stopped in Thailand to rest, which predetermined the vector of movement of many people towards providing services to visitors.

So, the dollar is the most "native" currency for Thailand. Of course, after the bath. And the most authoritative - and all over the world.

AmericanExpress Travel Checks

Until 2013, it was possible to take dollars to Thailand in the form of American Express traveller's checks. Unfortunately, now this profitable option (the exchange rate for them was usually even better than that of cash) is not available for many, since travel checks can no longer be bought in Russia. However, if you still have the opportunity to purchase them, you can safely choose such a solution. In addition to the benefits, it is also safe, since traveler's checks are nominal, and only you can exchange them for "live" money, and only with a passport.

Currency exchange features

Besidescurrency and its exchange rate, such an aspect as the denomination of exchanged banknotes is also important. So, bills of 50-100 dollars and euros are exchanged at one rate, more profitable, while money with a face value lower is already changing at a different rate - lower. The most unfavorable exchange rate is for very small cash with a face value of 1-2-5-10 dollars / euro. Keep this in mind when deciding which currency is more profitable to take to Thailand, because it would be best to purchase large denominations.

Also, don't forget to carry a copy of your passport or, even better, its original. Without this document, many currency exchange points will simply refuse to serve you. This phenomenon is not universal - some currency exchange offices are happy to change money just like that. However, if you want to be absolutely sure that your currency will be exchanged for you, you should take care to carry at least a copy of your foreign passport with you if you are afraid to carry its original with you.

What currency can I pay directly with?

In Thailand - only the Thai baht. The first and most likely the last place in this country where dollars or euros will be accepted from you will be the border control point at the airport (in case you are not a Russian citizen and pay for a visa upon arrival). Next, you should have bahts with you.

It is possible that somewhere they will be ready to accept dollars or euros from you, but this will be rather an exception. Thais, for the most part, are even wary of the dollar, since many have not even seen it in their eyes, and are afraid to bedeceived in the calculation of dollars.

CV

In any case, there can be no unambiguous advice on what currency to take to Thailand. Yes, the dollar is in the lead, but this is only for today. Before the trip, pay attention to exchange rates and their fluctuations, read the latest world financial news, and it will not be superfluous to monitor the situation with exchange rates in Thailand. Only by comparing all the data, you can decide which currency to take to Thailand.