Thai money. Where is the best place to change currency in Thailand?

Thailand is a paradise on our planet. Every person, at least once in his life, must visit there, plunge into the world of warmth, beauty and amazing emotions. A country that has never been a colony, thanks to strong rulers in their time. This is a great pride of the locals. Nowadays, Thailand has become a favorite holiday destination for tourists. The hot sun and the warmth of the ocean delight throughout the year. White sand beaches and many waterfalls will stay in your memory for a long time.

The national currency is the Thai Baht. The term "bat" itself is found already in the XIV century. So the currency was called simultaneously in several states. On April 15, 1928, the Thai baht was put into circulation. Before that, the inhabitants used the tikal, even now the baht is sometimes called the tikal. The banknote is bright, with the national attributes of the state. The banknote features a portrait of King Adulyadej Bhumibol.

One baht consists of 100 satang. In everyday life, banknotes are used in denominations of 5, 10, 100, 500 and 1000 baht. There are also coins 1 - white, 2 - white and yellow, 5 - white, 10 - bimetallic, and 25 and 50 satang - yellow. Payment is made only in national currency, except for expensive jewelry stores.

There are a huge number of currency exchange offices at airports, large shopping centers, shops and around the city. In addition, upon arrival, you can apply to banking institutions, which, as a rule, work full-time. Thus, there are no problems with currency exchange in the country, which is very comfortable for vacationing tourists.

It is most profitable to exchange foreign currency for traveler's checks - this is a payment document that is more convenient for guests of the kingdom.

As of today, 100 US dollars is equal to approximately 3,300 Thai baht; 100 rubles is equal to 64 Thai baht.

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• exchange rate per Thai baht is approximate
• remember that each bank can set its own exchange rate
• in banks, exchange is possible only on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• baht rate in exchangers can fluctuate within 10%

In circulation are:

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coins denomination:

• 25 satang
• 50 satang
• 1 baht
• 2 baht
• 5 baht
• 10 baht

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Thai banknotes in denominations:

• 10 baht
• 20 baht
• 50 baht
• 100 baht
• 500 baht
• 1,000 baht

Thai baht in rubles today:

• 1 Thai baht (THB) equals 1.59 Russian ruble(RUB)
• 1 Russian ruble(RUB) equals 0.63 Thai baht (THB)

Cross-rate through the US dollar according to the UN.

Exchange rate Thai baht / Russian ruble in Europe:

• 1 THB = 1.57 USD
• 1 USD = 0.64 THB

Information according to the ECB (European Central Bank) as of 19.04.2015

In Thailand, only local money will be accepted for payment.

You can exchange dollars or euros:

• In a hotel
• in exchange offices of large shopping centers
• in banks
• at airports

Exchange rate in banks and exchange offices more profitable than at the airport.

Exchange Feature currency is that the exchange rate varies depending on the denomination of dollar bills. The lowest rate is offered for banknotes from 1 to 20 dollars, the highest - for banknotes of a new sample in denominations of 50 and 100 dollars.

Do not forget that international credit cards are accepted in large stores, hotels:

• MasterCard
• American Express

General currency analysis

The Thai baht is one of the most stable currencies in Asia, this is due to the general state of the economy and data on the stabilization of the political situation in Thailand.

Ruble to baht exchange rate directly depends on economic factors. It is important to note that the Russian Foreign Ministry has reached agreements on the direct exchange of Russian and Thai currencies. Tourists can notice this on the opportunity to pay in rubles, for example, in the Tesco Lotus hypermarket chain.

Where to exchange rubles for baht in Thailand

In Pattaya, Phuket, there are many exchange offices along the coastline.

The name of the country comes from a Germanized combination of the words "Thai" and "land".

The territory of the country is located in the western part of the Indochina Peninsula and also occupies the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, washed in the west by the waters of the Andaman Sea, and in the east by the Gulf of Thailand, which is part of the South China Sea. Almost the entire country is covered with tropical jungles. The territory of the state exceeds 514 thousand square kilometers.

The population of Thailand exceeds 67 million people. Despite the fact that the vast majority of the country's population is Thai, there are also many Laotians, Chinese, Khmers, Vietnamese, Malays and Hmong. The official language in the country is Thai.

The capital of the Kingdom of Thailand at this time is the city of Bangkok, located in the northwest of the Indochina peninsula. In addition to the capital, a number of other large cities of the country should be noted, such as Nakhon Ratchusima, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai and others.

The history of the country begins in the period of the 13th century, when the kingdom of Sukhothai arose on the territory of modern Thailand, which was replaced by the state of Ayutthaya in the 14th century. For centuries, the people of Thailand have been influenced by the culture of India and China, forming on the basis of this their original culture. The emerging state of the Thais constantly fought with its neighbors - the Burmese, who carried out predatory campaigns here, and, starting from the 18th century, with European colonialists, in particular Britain. Finally ceding its southern provinces to Britain, Thailand, then called Siam, remained the only independent country in the region. In 1939, Siam became a constitutional monarchy and was renamed Thailand, supporting Japan at the time. During the Second World War, Thailand was formally neutral, which ultimately saved its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In 2006, a military coup took place in the country, which culminated in a change of government, which changed the strategic course of the country's development.

At present, the Kingdom of Thailand is a fairly developed state of its region with a constitutional-monarchical form of government, which has a significant impact on the political processes taking place in the region. The main branches of the national economy of the country are still agriculture, tourism, mining, processing and electronic industries.

The monetary unit of the Kingdom of Thailand is currently Thai baht(THB code 764). The term "bat" was in use in Indochina as early as the 14th century and denoted the common name of the currencies of the countries of the region.

Since the 14th century, the national currency called Tikal has been in circulation in Siam. The country minted large convex coins of gold and silver tikals, which were universally accepted as a single means of payment in the kingdom. Since 1861, coins were introduced into circulation, which were minted in Birmingham and had a traditional round shape. They received the local name "ryen" and were made of copper, zinc, silver and even gold, depending on the denomination. In 1898, Siam switched to the decimal division of the main monetary unit, abandoning the British system. Now one tikal was divided into 100 satangs. Since 1928, the government of Siam decided to introduce a new monetary unit, which was called baht. This currency is also in circulation in modern Thailand.

The national currency of Thailand in its history has experienced quite a lot of upheavals associated with crises and upheavals in the country. At the moment, its rate is such that when exchanging for 1 Thai baht, you can get about 1 Russian ruble in banks. For 1 US dollar they get about 30.5 baht, for 1 euro - 40.6 baht, for 1 Ukrainian hryvnia - about 4 baht, for 1 pound sterling - about 48 baht.

1 Thai baht is divided into 100 satang. The name of the monetary unit comes from the Pali language and literally means "sata" - "hundredth" and "anga" - "part".

Currently, the Bank of Thailand, which forms the issue policy in the country, has issued banknotes in denominations of 20 (twenty), 50 (fifty), 100 (one hundred), 500 (five hundred) and 1000 (one thousand) Thai baht. Coins with a nominal denomination of 25 (twenty-five) and 50 (fifty) satangs, as well as coins with a denomination of 1 (one), 2 (two), 5 (five) and 10 ( ten) baht.

Thai baht banknotes, although not devoid of a small amount of originality in terms of design and decoration, are still for the most part typical of states with a monarchical form of government. So, on the front side of banknotes of all denominations, the king who rules in the country now, Bhumibol Adulyadej, aka Rama IX, is depicted. The denomination of banknotes in digital format is shown in the upper right and lower left corners of the bill. The reverse of the banknotes is also decorated with images of the kings who ruled the country earlier. So, on a banknote of 20 baht there is a full-length portrait of King Mahidol Ananda and a bridge in Bangkok named after him, in 50 baht - a monument to King Rama IV and the world's highest temple stupa Phra Pathom chedi Banknote in the background, in 100 baht - a statue of kings Rama V and VI with servants and children, at 500 baht - a monument to King Rama III and the Buddhist temple of Bangkoke Wat Ratchanadda in the background, at 1000 baht - a full-length portrait of the current king Rama IX and an image of a dam in the background.

Thai banknotes were printed and printed at the Royal Thai Mint in Bangkok.

The coins of Thailand, depending on the denomination, differ in size, the material from which they are made, and the pattern of minting on them. So on the obverse of all coins of Thailand without exception, a profile portrait of the current king Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) is minted. On the reverse of the coins, images of national architectural monuments are minted. So, for example, a 25-satang coin depicts the country residence of the kings of Thailand, 50-satang coins depict a Buddhist temple in the south of the country, 1 baht depicts the royal palace with three pagodas in Bangkok, 2 baht depicts the royal palace of the early period, 5 baht - a Buddhist monastery in the north of the country, at 10 baht - the old coat of arms of the country. Coins in denominations of 25 and 50 satang are made of copper, 1 and 5 baht are made of copper-nickel alloy, and 2 bads are made of brass. The 10 baht coin is made in a bimetallic way: the core of the coin is made of brass, and the rim is made of copper-nickel alloy. All coins of Thailand currently have the correct round radial shape.

All coins of the Kingdom of Thailand were minted at the factories of the Royal Mint in Pathum Thani.

For numerous guests and tourists arriving in the country, exchanging their currency for local is quite easy and simple. Exchange offices are located everywhere in areas of mass congestion of tourists. And these are airports, seaports, recreation centers, hotels, historical and architectural centers. The exchange can also be made in banking institutions, which are located mainly in large cities and the capital of the country. In the resorts of Thailand, local residents are happy to accept US dollars, euros, and pounds sterling as payment for services and goods, so you should not worry about the exchange. The customs legislation in the country regarding the import of currency is also quite liberal and does not provide for restrictions of this kind.

Thai baht, only they can pay in the country. You can exchange them within the country for dollars, euros, some other convertible currencies, as well as the currency of neighboring Asian countries. Rubles are accepted in places in Pattaya and Phuket.

How to carry money to Thailand in cash or on a card

How to carry currency depends on the specific purpose. If the goal is to save money as much as possible when exchanging for local baht, then you should take only cash. If you want reliability, then a card is better. Let's consider both options in detail.

Benefit in terms of commissions

In the first case, the explanation is quite simple - when withdrawing money from a card in Thailand, Russian banks charge a commission of 1% or more. Plus, a fixed commission of 220 baht is charged at ATMs in the country. Moreover, in most cases, you can withdraw 20,000 baht at a time, only a Bangkok Bank ATM issues 25,000 baht and TMB Bank issues 30,000 baht (however, in the latter, the transfer is carried out at an unfavorable exchange rate of the bank itself). Now let's calculate your "losses", i.e. the money you give to the banks.

For example, you take $3,000 on a trip (that's enough for a two-week vacation, even if you go to bars and restaurants every day). For the past few years, the exchange rate of the baht to the dollar has hardly changed and is in the ratio of 1 dollar = 30-31 baht (from 2015 to the end of 2017, 34-37 baht). We will assume that you exchanged $ 3,000 in Pattaya at a rate of 30 to 1. Thus, you have 90,000 baht. There is no exchange fee.

And now another option - 3,000 are on the card. If you use a Thai ATM, which are called ATMs, you will be forced to withdraw money 5 times (4 times - 20,000 baht and 1 time 10,000). The commission to a Thai bank in this case will be conditionally 200x5 = 1000 baht. Many Russian banks charge at least 1% of the amount, and often more. 1% of 3000 dollars is 30 dollars or 900 baht (and if the commission is 2% then 1800 baht). In a word, when withdrawing $3,000 from a card at an ATM in Thailand, you will lose 2,000 baht at best.

Theft protection

Now let's talk about the reliability that is guaranteed if you bring all the money on the card to Thailand (it's still worth taking about $ 100 in cash to, for example, get from the airport to the resort, have a snack at the airport, etc.). Keeping money on the card, you are insured against theft, because without knowing the pin code, it is just a piece of plastic (although they can pay it if you don’t have time to block it). Thieves will not steal it on purpose (unless by chance it was in a purse or in a purse, which scammers like to appropriate). But in this case, you can immediately call the bank and block it (often this can be done via the Internet, since Internet cafes in Thailand, and especially in Pattaya, are found at every step). It is better to take two cards on vacation at once, so as not to be completely without money in case of theft.

In our opinion, the ideal option is to take $1,000 in cash, $1,000 on one card, and $1,000 on another. Thus, you will receive triple insurance. By the way, you should not particularly trust the safes at the reception - cases of theft from closed safes have been recorded. And the police are unlikely to help here - they are very lazy when it comes to foreigners, and besides, they believe that the local is always right. And if money was stolen from you on the street, then look for a needle in a haystack (and how to prove that it was this person who took your hard-earned money - his words are against yours and the police will most likely let the Thai go). Try to avoid such situations and carry cash, mobile phones, cameras in zippered pockets (but not in the back).

And the last consideration. If you are bringing a small amount to Thailand (for example, around $ 1,000), then it is better to take cash than lose money on commissions.

What currency is better to go to Thailand

What money to take to Thailand, first of all, depends on where you travel most often. In principle, any Thai bank or exchanger accepts the currency of all major countries of the world, and in some places in Pattaya and Phuket, even rubles. You will not receive any benefit from the exchange, since the rates are approximately the same as in Russia (that is, you will not be able to buy cheap, for example, Japanese yens from us and sell them expensively in Thailand). Therefore, do not think about the benefits and just take the currency that you have. The only thing in this regard, we will give two useful tips.

1) Unfavorable exchange of dollars with a face value of 1-20 dollars.

For some reason, the exchange of dollars in Thailand is accompanied by different rates for different denominations: 1-2 dollars, 5-20 dollars and 50-100 dollars. Low denominations are exchanged at a very unfavorable rate.

2) The exchange of rubles is unprofitable.

You can exchange rubles in Thailand only in Pattaya and Phuket, they are not accepted at other resorts. The rate in exchangers is usually not very profitable, the difference will be 5-10% of the amount of exchange, first rubles for dollars and then for baht.

Numerous calculations in blogs and forums show that it is most profitable to take bills of 50 and 100 dollars. Or take euros, since they can be easily exchanged in any country (a certain amount always remains after a trip to Thailand and it will come in handy for traveling to other countries).

Where is the best exchange rate

What cards of Russian banks are better to take

Not all plastic cards of Russian banks can be withdrawn. You should inquire about this in advance and find out about the possibility of using the card in Thailand. The country is one of the most unreliable in terms of theft, so at the first attempt to withdraw cash, the card may be blocked. In this case, you will have to call your bank already to unblock it. Often you have to wait 10-15 minutes on the phone to be connected to the bank operator, and then spend the same amount on communication - and this is quite a lot of money (read) if you call from another country.

The national currency of Thailand is the Thai baht (THB).

The Thai baht is subdivided into 100 satang.

Payment for goods and services with foreign money is prohibited in Thailand. All payments are accepted in baht only. Torn notes are not accepted by most banks, hotels, shops and restaurants.

Money exchange in Thailand

For baht exchange within Thailand, the most appropriate world currency is the US dollar, followed by the British pound and the euro. Exchange operations are carried out by any banks in Thailand or private exchange offices (in tourist centers, hotels, etc.). Banks in Thailand and certified exchange offices take a commission for exchanging or withdrawing money, street money changers do not take commissions, but there is a high probability of fraud.

The dollar exchange rate in Thailand's exchange offices, located at airports and hotels, is often greatly underestimated compared to the bank.

The exchange rate in Thailand is quite stable, but when exchanging dollars for baht, it should be remembered that the higher the denomination of a dollar bill, the more favorable the exchange rate in Thailand for it (a difference of 2-5%).

How much money to take to Thailand

For a comfortable stay in the country (accommodation, transport, food, souvenirs, etc.), the average tourist should always carry the equivalent of $100 per person per day in cash. To this amount, it is desirable to add a cash reserve of $ 200 in case of unforeseen circumstances. Excursions in Thailand cost an average of $32-42.

In Thailand, it is customary to bargain in markets and souvenir shops. Discount from the original price can be up to 30%.

Tipping in Thailand is customary to leave in tourist areas. Taxi fare is rounded up by $ 0.3, porters are usually paid extra $ 0.6-1.3 (depending on the load), restaurant tips - 5-10% of the bill, for cleaning the room - 0.6- $ 1.3, in a massage parlor or spa, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of $ 1.3-7.

The "Land of Smiles" is not the cheapest place in Asia.
At the major seaside resorts in Thailand, prices can come close to
global. Tourists from Russia can safely focus on the lower bar of domestic prices.

Approximate prices in Thailand

• A liter of gasoline - $ 1.2
• 1 Day Metro Pass - $1.2
• Short taxi ride - $4
• 1 liter of drinking water - 1 $
• Coffee in a cafe - 3-5 $
• Breakfast at the hotel - 3 $
• Bottle of wine in the store - $7
• Beer - $3 per liter
• Fried rice with chicken at a street food/restaurant - $1.2 / $2.2
• Fruits: bananas / coconut / mango - $0.8 / $0.5 / $1.6 per kg
• T-shirt souvenir - 1.5-3 $
• Beach towel in the store - $3
• Parasailing - 1.2 $ / 10 min.
• Jet ski rental - $16 per person for half an hour
• Massage session - 7-42 $ for 1.5 hours
• Hotel room with air conditioning - 10-13 $ per day

Payment for goods and services in Thailand is made exclusively in baht. The above prices correspond to the average exchange rate of dollars for baht in the exchange offices of major banks in Thailand.

Banks of Thailand

You can withdraw cash either from banks in Thailand or from street ATMs. Banks in Thailand are open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 15:30 (less often until 20:00). After 15:00, it is quite difficult to find a working bank in Thailand.

ATMs in Thailand, unlike banks, work around the clock, but charge a commission of $ 5 for each transaction (you can withdraw up to $ 644 at a time). ATMs and banks in Thailand can be easily found in all major cities, as well as in tourist resorts.

The most popular plastic cards in Thailand are:

• mastercard
• Maestro
• Diners Club
• American Express

They are accepted for payment by most restaurants, supermarkets and hotels in Thailand.

In some places there is a tax of 3 - 5% on credit card transactions,
Therefore, before paying by credit card, you need to find out the terms of payment.

Central Bank of Thailand

Central Bank of Thailand(Bank of Thailand) specializes not in conducting financial and credit operations, but in regulating the activities of more than 30 commercial banks in the country and maintaining the stability of the national currency. The Bank of Thailand is located in the center of the capital on Bangkhunprom Road.

Major banks in Thailand

Bangkok bankbank- the largest commercial bank in Thailand, more than 600 branches across the country.

Address: 333 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500,Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 231-43-33
www.bangkokbank.com

Bank KrungThaibank- the second largest bank in Thailand.

Address: 35 Sukhumvit Rd., Klong Toey Nua Subdistrict, Wattana District, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 255-22-22
www.ktb.co.th

Bank SiamCommercialbank is the oldest commercial bank in Thailand.

Head Office Address: 9 Ratchadaphisek Road, SCB Park, Chatuchak, Bangkok,Thailand
Phone: + ( 66 2) 777-77-77
www.scb.co.th/en

Bank Kasikornbank- the most innovative and high-tech bank in Thailand.

Head office address: 1 Soi. Kasikornthai, Ratburana Road, Bangkok 10140,Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 888-88-82
www.kasikornbank.com

Bank TMBbank- A bank whose shareholders and main clients are the Thai military.

Head office address: 3000 Phahon Yothin Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 299-11-11
www.tmbbank.com

Citibank- one of the largest foreign banks in Thailand.

Head Office Address: 99 Sukhumvit Road, Interchange 21 Building, Klongtoey Nua Sub-district, Wattana District, Bangkok 10110,Thailand
Phone: +(66 2) 788-20-00
www.citibank.com

Money transfer to Thailand

There are several ways to transfer money to Thailand:

• currency bank transfers
• telegraphic transfers
• credit card transfer

You can transfer money to Thailand to a card or bank account ($ 30 per transfer). Many experts recommend using a City Bank card, which has offices in Bangkok and other major cities in Thailand. For Russian citizens, it will be convenient to use a Sberbank card (up to $ 5,000 per day without opening an account), since the baht against the ruble is more stable than against the dollar.

Telling you about the rate of the Thai baht against the dollar, I still missed a rather interesting topic about Thai money. I hasten to fill this gap. In Thailand, the main monetary unit is the Thai baht, the designation of which is THB. Each baht is made up of 100 satang. Banknotes come in 20 (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and 1000 (brown) baht, coins - 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht. There are also coins of 25 and 50 satang. Currently, several series of banknotes and coins are in circulation. You can come across batas with the image of Rama IX and the current king Rama X. Sometimes you even come across real rarities, released 15-20 years ago.

As in Russia, there is no free circulation of foreign currency in Thailand. That is, in the supermarket you will not be able to buy food for yourself, having only dollars, euros or rubles. That's what exchangers are for. In rare cases, in ordinary stores they will be ready to sell you goods, but at a rate lower than the official one.
I will not go into the history of the Thai baht and will talk about banknotes and coins that are in use now. Their design is constantly changing, but the last few years, since 2003, when the 15th series of banknotes was printed, has remained the same. So, for example, eight years ago I remember a transparent window in a bill of 50 baht, now you don’t see such money.

On the front side of each banknote is depicted or X in the uniform of the supreme commander, incomprehensible icons at the bottom left is the Thai designation of the banknote, and in the upper right corner is the Arabic designation. But the reverse side is unique.

The Thai "twenty" depicts King Rama VIII, His Majesty Ananda Mahidol, the elder brother of Rama IV, who died under strange circumstances. The banknote itself is green, and in the background there is a picture of His Majesty visiting ordinary people and the Rama VII Bridge in Bangkok.

On the 50 baht bill, you will see His Majesty King Mongkut, Rama IV, in front of a telescope, globe and Phra Pathom chedi in Nakhon Pathom province. The note itself is blue.

"Hundreds" in Thailand are of two types. The front side remains unchanged, while the reverse side depicts either a monument to the great reformer Rama V, His Majesty King Chulalangkorn at Chulalongkorn University and scenes from Thai learning in antiquity, or a portrait of the monarch himself. The color of the banknote is red.

The reverse side of 500 baht depicts a monument to Rama III, His Majesty the King of Nangklao at Maha Chetsadabodin Pavilion, Loha Prasat metal castle at Ratchanaddaram Temple in Bangkok and a Chinese ship. The note itself is purple.

And on the banknote of 1000 baht, Rama IX himself, His Majesty Adulyadej Bhumibol, is depicted against the backdrop of the Pa Sak Thiolasit dam in Lopburi province. The color of the note is light brown.

Thai coins are very diverse. 10 baht, for example, has a silver rim, and 2 baht, which are not so easy to find, come in white and yellow. Satangas can be found mainly in large supermarkets, like pennies, they are not very valuable.

In 2017-2018, a new series of Thai banknotes and coins was released with the image of the current King Rama X. The color scheme remained the same. Old banknotes work too.

Now you know everything about Thai banknotes and coins. It remains to be reminded that you need to store everything in safes and in no case leave wallets and bags with money unattended.

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