Thailand Currency Overview: History, Denominations, and Uses

The Thai currency, known as the baht, has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century. The baht was introduced as the official currency of Thailand in 1893.

The baht is divided into 100 satang, which is a smaller denomination of currency. This division makes it easier to calculate prices and exchange rates.

In Thailand, the baht is used for everyday transactions, from buying street food to paying for luxury goods.

The Thai baht (THB) is the official currency of Thailand, known for its vibrant and distinctive design. It has a rich history, closely linked to the nation's heritage.

The baht was first introduced as a unit of currency centuries ago, replacing shells, rice, and pieces of cut silver that were previously used as money. It wasn't until the reign of King Rama I in the late 18th century that the baht emerged as a standardised currency.

Thai baht comes in both notes and coins, with banknotes featuring portraits of revered Thai monarchs, including King Rama IX who reigned for over 70 years.

Here are the denominations of Thai baht banknotes and coins:

The Thai baht has a unique currency symbol, ฿, which is a latin letter B with a vertical stroke. This symbol was given a codepoint in the Thai Industrial Standard 620-2533 in 1986.

The ฿ symbol is also used for the Panamanian balboa, making it a symbol that transcends national borders.

In the digital age, the ฿ symbol has a specific codepoint in the Unicode standard, U+0E3F.

Consider reading: Eur Currency Symbol

The Thai baht (THB) is the official currency of Thailand, known for its vibrant and distinctive design with a rich history linked closely to the nation's heritage.

The baht is the only legal tender in Thailand, so if you travel there, you'll need to exchange your money into baht. You can also use the baht for international money transfers, but make sure it's in baht, not in U.S. dollars, British pounds, or euros.

The best time to exchange Thai baht depends on the currency exchange rate for each currency pair, which fluctuates. As of Dec. 30, 2023, 1 USD was equal to 34.25 THB.

You can exchange your money for Thai baht at a bank or a currency exchange office, or use an online money transfer service like Remitly. Always check the latest exchange rate for Thai currency to USD or another currency pair before initiating an international money transfer.

The Thai baht comes in both notes and coins. Banknotes feature portraits of revered Thai monarchs, including the much-loved King Rama IX who reigned for over 70 years.

Here are the different denominations of Thai baht banknotes:

And here are the different denominations of Thai baht coins:

Always check the latest exchange rate for Thai currency to USD or another currency pair before exchanging your money or making an international money transfer.

The Thai baht has a rich history that dates back centuries, with its roots tracing back to the late 18th century during the reign of King Rama I.

The first official baht coins were introduced in 1857 during the reign of King Rama IV, made of silver and featuring intricate designs reflecting Thai art and culture.

The baht underwent numerous changes in size, shape, and material over time, with the currency exchange rate in Thailand fluctuating in value with economic and political trends.

In 1897, the baht was fixed to the British pound, reflecting Thailand's ties to British trade at the time.

Before decimalization, the Siamese government employed various scripts, including Chinese, Latin, Jawi, Devanagari, Khmer, and Burmese, in banknotes and coins to ease trade facilitation within Siam.

The character 圓; yuán (บาท) was used to represent baht during the times of Rama IV, but was phased out in favor of another character that is still partially and informally used today.

The Thai baht was known for its vibrant and distinctive design, which was closely linked to the nation's heritage.

The baht was first introduced as a unit of currency, replacing shells, rice, and pieces of cut silver that had been used as a form of money.

Thailand's money wasn't always in paper form, with shells and baked clay coins serving as legal tender before the development of modern banknotes.

The first paper money, called "Mai", was introduced in 1853 by King Mongkut, but it wasn't very successful due to people's preference for using shells instead of the official currency.

The value of tin and copper in the world market rose above the face value of copper coins in 1873, leading to a currency shortage and the introduction of a low-value paper currency called "Att Kradat."

Thai baht currency comes in both notes and coins. Banknotes feature portraits of revered Thai monarchs, including the much-loved King Rama IX who reigned for over 70 years.

You can find a variety of denominations in Thai baht notes, ranging from 20 baht to 1,000 baht. Here are the specific denominations of Thai baht notes:

Thai baht coins come in smaller denominations, including 1 satang, 5 satang, 10 satang, 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, and 10 baht.

The Thai baht (THB) is the official currency of Thailand, known for its vibrant and distinctive design.

Major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in tourist areas and larger hotels and stores, but you'll still need to carry some cash for smaller shops, local markets, and for tips, buses, and taxis.

ATMs are readily available throughout Thailand, especially in major cities, tourist areas, shopping centers, and airports, with most Thai ATMs having an English language option.

You'll want to check your bank fees before traveling to avoid any shocks, and inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any unexpected card blocking.

Consider reading: Bank Crypto Currency

In Thailand, you'll often find that cash is king, but paying by bank card is becoming increasingly common, especially in tourist areas and larger hotels and stores.

Major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but you'll still need some cash for smaller shops, local markets, and for tips, buses, and taxis.

Transaction fees will likely be charged by your bank or the outlet you're buying from, so check how much your bank fees will be before traveling.

Informing your bank about your travel plans is a good idea to avoid any unexpected card blocking.

Using ATMs in Thailand can be a convenient way to get cash, especially in tourist areas and major cities where they're widely available. You'll find ATMs belonging to Thai banks as well as international ones like Citibank and HSBC.

One of the main advantages of using ATMs is that they're available day and night, making it easy to withdraw cash whenever you need it. This is especially useful if you're traveling to areas with limited banking hours.

ATMs also offer a convenient currency exchange option, allowing you to withdraw cash in Thai baht instead of searching for currency exchange services. This can save you time and hassle, especially if you're not familiar with the local currency.

However, it's essential to be aware of the potential fees associated with using ATMs in Thailand. Your home bank may charge you for international withdrawals, and the local Thai bank may also charge a fee. These fees can add up quickly, so it's a good idea to check with your bank before traveling.

Here are some key things to consider when using ATMs in Thailand:

By being aware of these factors, you can make informed decisions about how to manage your money while traveling in Thailand.