Currency of Thailand

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The currency of Thailand is called Baht and is made up of Satang. As with almost all currencies around the world, the money of Thailand consists of coins and notes. If you are shopping in the shopping malls the size of the notes you carry around isn't so important as change for the larger bank notes will be readily available, but if you are shopping at some of the markets in Bangkok, you should be sure to carry smaller notes. Sometimes, the small stalls don't have enough change for 500 and 1,000 Baht notes. We suggest you carry about 100 baht in 20 baht notes, 500 baht in one hundred Baht notes, a couple of 500 Baht notes and X number of 1,000 baht notes. Of course, this all depends on the kind of shopping you intend on doing each day.

The Currency of Thailand

of Thailand used not to be very strong, but with increased exports, a rise in tourism and more foreign investment, Thailand's currency has gone from being a low of 91 Baht to the UK Pound, to a high of 50 Baht to the UK Pound. We use this example because it doesn't fluctuate much against the dollar and it is fairly stable around the 34 Baht to the Dollar mark.

Thai money is very similar to most nations with high and low denominations; the highest of which is the silver 1,000 Baht note which was recently forged and used in many stores around Bangkok. If you hand over a 1,000 Baht note these days, the receiver might well looked for the security speckled markings on the note with an infra red light or "blue light".

Carrying Cash in Bangkok

If you are going to markets, then you be better off carrying cash around. More and more places are using Credit Card machines and paying by card is possible but you'll be charged up to 3% extra for using a card and you won't be able to bargain which is what shopping in Bangkok is all about.
Make sure you spread your money about your person or spread it amongst yourselves. Don't carry it all in one place. Put larger amounts of money out of sight, so if you open a purse or wallet to pay for something in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand, you only give them a glance of a small amount of money.
There is no need to be overly paranoid aout this issue as Thailand is no worse ( in fact, probably better than ) other countries. Watch your pockets on the skytrain and when shopping in places like Pantip Plaza and MBK Center and Chatuchak Weekend Market but for the most part you should be fine.

We recommend Super Rich Money Exchangers

Using Credit Cards in Bangkok and Thailand

There are pros and cons to using credit cards. It doesn't matter whether you use them in Bangkok, Thailand or anywhere else, the pros and cons are the same.

Pros:

• Reduces the need to carry cash
• Can provide insurance on goods purchased
• Might provide you with points and benefits

Cons:

• Pay extra on goods purchased - up to 3%
• Reduces your chances of bargaining and getting good prices
• Chances of your card details being swiped and used later

We use our credit card in major department stores and shopping malls as well as travel agents. The rest of the time we pay by cash. This is not a rule and is probably being more careful than necessary, but it's a guide should you be looking for one.

The currency of Thailand is as follows, starting with the smallest denomination first.

Money:

Thai money is made up of Satang and Baht. There are 100 Satang in one Baht.

Coins used:

25	Satang	small gold coloured coins. Useless really but still used. Supermarkets use them
50	Satang	slightly larger coins which are also useless but still used. Supermarkets use them.
1	Baht	the smallest silver coin in use.
2	Baht	Nearly the same size as the one Baht coin. Easy to get confused.
5	Baht	slightly larger and thicker coin.
10	Baht	largest coin used. The coin has a silver outter rim and a gold center.

Notes used:

10	Baht	Brown coloured notes that have since been taken out of circulation but are still legal tender.
20	Baht	Green coloured notes.
50	Baht	Blue coloured notes.
100	Baht	Red coloured notes .
500	Baht	Purple coloured notes
1000	Baht	Silver coloured notes