Thailand currency: Information & Exchange tips for Visitors

Thailand attracts travelers with its breathtaking scenery, colorful traditions, and deep-rooted heritage. As you explore bustling markets, enjoy tropical beaches, or support loved ones from afar, understanding Thailand money becomes key to a smooth experience.

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The Thai Baht, one of the world’s oldest currencies still in use, originated around 800 years ago in the 13th century during the Sukhothai period, evolving from a traditional unit of mass tied to silver weight and initially taking forms like Cowrie Shells, Prakab (baked clay coins), and bullet-shaped Pot Duang.

The Thai Baht

The Thai Baht (THB) is the official currency and it is widely accepted across the nation, the Baht comes in both coins and banknotes, with denominations ranging from 1 to 1,000 Baht.

Currency exchange in Thailand

The currency of Thailand, symbolized by ฿ and recognized internationally as THB, serves as the main currency in Thailand. It divides into 100 satang; however, most people rarely use satang in everyday spending due to their minimal value. As you traveling within Thailand, understanding its currency system helps you manage your spending more effectively. Moreover, familiarizing yourself with Thailand money ensures smoother experiences in markets, restaurants, and travel bookings.

Denominations of Thai Baht

The Thailand currency offers a wide range of banknotes and coins, making it easy to handle everyday spending. Travelers often encounter banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Thai Baht, each featuring important Thai royalty.

• The blue 20 Baht banknote with King Rama IX suits small buys like street food

• The green 50 Baht note, also honoring King Bhumibol Adulyadej, works well for quick meals or market finds.

• The red 100 Baht note with King Rama X fits mid-range expenses such as museum entry or dining.

• The purple 500 Baht note showing Queen Sirikit

• The light brown 1,000 Baht note with King Rama IX help cover larger costs like hotel stays or shopping.

In addition to paper notes, Thailand money includes coins—1, 2, 5, and 10 Baht—that support lower-value purchases, making the Thai Baht both practical and culturally meaningful.

Best places for currency exchange in Thailand

For the savvy traveler, choosing where to exchange currency in Thailand matters for saving money. Local exchange offices usually offer better rates than ATMs, which often charge fees and update rates less frequently. Moreover, you can find reliable money exchange offices in Thailand throughout tourist hotspots, major cities like Bangkok and Phuket, and even at airports, making it easy to access favorable rates.

Additionally, for the most accurate and up-to-date information, use online currency converter before making any exchange decisions.

You can exchange money at banks in Thailand, remember to take your passport, which offer secure transactions and slightly lower rate than currency exchange in the street, especially during regular business hours.

Thailand offers many reliable currency exchange options, but avoid certain places to protect your money. Street vendors and unauthorized exchange corners often scam visitors or use counterfeit bills. ATMs with high fees or low withdrawal limits can quickly reduce the amount of cash you receive.

Tip: Local banks such as Citibank and HSBC, which often charge lower fees for international withdrawals and provide a safer way to access cash.

Before making any currency exchange in Thailand, check live exchange rates online to get the best value. Then, consider exchanging larger amounts at once, as this often leads to better deals. Moreover, use fee-free debit or credit cards to avoid unnecessary charges during transactions. Services like Wise and Revolut provide international debit cards with lower conversion fees than traditional banks, making them a smart choice for savvy travelers managing Thailand money.

Both cash and card payments offer separate advantages when spending Thailand money, depending on your location and needs. Cash works best in street markets, small local shops, food stalls, and when paying entrance fees at certain attractions.

Meanwhile, cards provide convenience at larger hotels, shopping malls, upscale restaurants, and major tourist spots across Thailand.

However, some places add a 3% surcharge for card transactions, which can increase your total cost. Therefore, always carry some Thai Baht in cash as a backup—especially when traveling to rural areas or dealing with small vendors—to ensure smooth and stress-free payments throughout your journey.

Thailand continues to switch toward cashless payments, making digital wallets an increasingly convenient choice. PromptPay, a local QR-based system, sees widespread use across the country. Alipay and WeChat Pay work well for Chinese travelers, while Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted at most major retailers and shopping malls.

Tip: Set up a digital wallet before your trip to save time and enjoy smoother transactions during your stay.