Thai Money And Taking Money To Thailand

The Baht is the currency in Thailand and is foundprovides as they give the offshore rate and
in the following denominations:many others do as well. Check the daily rates at
20 Baht note-GreenThai banks online like:
50 Baht note-BlueSiam Bank
100 Baht note-RedKasikorn Bank
500 Baht note -PurpleBangkok Bank
1000 baht note- BrownATM's are everywhere in the tourist areas and
25 Satang coin -small brass cointhey give the in country rate as well but beware
50 Satang coin- small brass coinyour banks fees on withdraws and currency
1 Baht coin -silver and slightly larger than a USconversions from your currency to Baht because
centmost of the time these fees will drop the rate
5 Baht coin- silver & slightly smaller than theconsiderably, especially considering most banks will
10 Baht coinconvert currency at the off shore rate. If you
10 Baht coin- silver ring with a brass centerlive in Great Britain open a Nationwide Flex
There are also 1,5, and 10 Satang coins you willAccount and if you live in America open an ING
occasionally run into along with the 25 and 50Orange checking account both of these banks do
Satang coins but normally you'll only get these asnot charge fees for withdraws or convert your
change in a supermarket, chain stores, orcurrency at the off shore rate.
sometimes a seven eleven. Most other placesTravelers checks are always the best option.
deal in whole baht denominations. If you do findEven though you will pay a percentage fee you
yourself with a pocketful of Satang you'll probablyalways get the better exchange rates on them.
be bringing some home as souvenirs.You also have the added security that if they are
All Thai currency has the image of the king on it.lost or stolen they will be replaced within 24 hours.
It is considered disrespectful to keep Thai moneyRemember you will have to show your passport
in your back pocket as you would be sitting onwhenever changing Travelers checks.
the king. Likewise if you should drop a note orCash, as they say, is always king but unless you
coin don't step on it to stop it as that is veryare bringing only large bills then the rate varies per
disrespectful.denomination and the rate is only fractionally
Never change your currency at home beforebetter than Travelers checks. Taking a large sum
traveling to Thailand as your home countryof cash anywhere these days is a bad idea and
exchange rates will be bad. There are manynot worth the risk. One hundred dollar bills minted
places to change currency in Thailand almostin 1996 are usually not accepted due to the fact
every bank has money changers on every cornerthat year was heavily counterfeited by North
in the tourist areas as well as their branchKorea.
locations. Hotel and airport money changersYour best bet is to have a mix of travelers
typically give a bad rate as well so stick to thechecks and a credit/debit card so you'll be
banks for the best rate. Although, it is a goodcovered in all cases.
idea to exchange a small amount at the airportNote: using your credit/debit card at ATM's is
when arriving just so you have money to getusually very safe but don't use them in stores or
where you are going.shops to buy goods because credit card fraud is
Due to the fluctuations of the Thai baht over therife in Thailand. The only time I've used them
last several years there has developed a splitother than ATM's is at the hotel but I felt
exchange price one being offshore exchangecomfortable with the owners/management
rates and one being on shore (in Thailand). Bebefore I did.
careful using exchange rate calculators such as XE