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The Thai currency is called the Baht, and it's the official currency of Thailand. It's divided into 100 satang, but you won't often see satang in circulation.
The Baht is issued by the Bank of Thailand and comes in various denominations, including coins and banknotes. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, and 10 Baht, while banknotes range from 20 to 1,000 Baht.
You can exchange your money for Thai Baht at airports, banks, and currency exchange booths, but be aware that the exchange rates might vary. It's also worth noting that some businesses in tourist areas may accept credit cards or US dollars, but it's still a good idea to have some local currency on hand.
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What Is THB?
The Thai Baht, abbreviated as THB, is the official currency of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Thai Baht is divided into 100 satangs, though these are rarely encountered in daily commerce due to their low value.
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The Thai Baht is denoted by the symbol ฿, and its value is managed by the Bank of Thailand, which issues it in banknote denominations of ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500, and ฿1,000.
Coins have denominations of 25 satangs, 50 satangs, ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, and ฿10.
As of Summer 2021, 1 THB is worth roughly USD $0.03.
The Thai Baht used to be pegged to the U.S. dollar but has been floating since 1997, with a value fluctuating around $0.03 per Baht.
Here's a quick summary of the Thai Baht's composition:
- 1 THB is composed of 100 satangs
- The THB is issued and managed by the Bank of Thailand
- The THB is denoted by the symbol ฿
- The THB is divided into banknote denominations of ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500, and ฿1,000
History and Background
The Thai Baht's journey began in the 15th century, deeply intertwined with Thailand's royal heritage.
The first standardized coins were created during the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th century, marking the beginning of Thailand's currency history.
A 9th-series 5-baht note displays the portrait of King Rama IX, one of the many rulers who introduced different forms of currency over the centuries.
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The modern Thai Baht emerged in the mid-19th century and became the sole legal tender in 1925, a significant milestone in the currency's development.
Chulalongkorn, also known as King Rama V, introduced decimalization of the Thai Baht, which was previously known as the Thai Tical by Westerners.
Prince Wiwat, with his western education in finance, first chaired the Bank of Thailand, founded in Bangkok in 1942.
The Thai Baht became the focus of economic observers in 1997 when Thailand was the epicenter of the Asian financial crisis, following the Bank of Thailand's decision to abandon the Thai Baht pegging to the U.S. dollar.
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The Basics
The Thai Baht, the official currency of Thailand, is denoted by the symbol ฿. It's the primary currency used in the country.
The Thai Baht is divided into 100 satangs, though these are rarely encountered in daily commerce due to their low value. This is because satangs are worth very little, making them almost useless in everyday transactions.
You can easily convert Thai Baht to other currencies like the Australian Dollar (AUD) using a currency converter. This is especially helpful for travelers planning a trip to Thailand.
The Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank, manages and issues the Thai Baht in various denominations. Banknotes come in ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500, and ฿1,000, while coins have denominations of 25 satangs, 50 satangs, ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, and ฿10.
Here's a quick rundown of the Thai Baht's key characteristics:
- The Thai Baht (THB) is the official currency of the Kingdom of Thailand.
- 1 THB is composed of 100 satangs.
- The Baht used to be pegged to the U.S. dollar but has been floating since 1997.
Currency Details
The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht, commonly referred to as just baht. It's a widely recognized and accepted form of currency.
The national symbol for Thai baht is an uppercase B with a perpendicular line down the center, denoted by the symbol ฿. This symbol is easily recognizable and helps you identify the currency.
Thai baht is the official currency of Thailand, and its three-letter code is THB. This code is used on foreign currency exchange markets to identify the baht.
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Denominations and Usage
The Thai Baht offers a variety of notes, each depicting significant Thai royalty, making cash transactions in Thailand easier to navigate.
The most commonly used denominations are 20 Baht, 50 Baht, 100 Baht, 500 Baht, and 1,000 Baht, which are frequently used for minor purchases, local meals, dining out, shopping, and major transactions, respectively.
These denominations help facilitate everyday transactions, contributing to the efficiency of Thailand's monetary system.
Here are the most commonly used Thai Baht denominations:
Coins are also available in denominations of 1 Baht, 2 Baht, 5 Baht, and 10 Baht, which are useful for smaller transactions, but the satang, which is further subdivided into 100 parts, is rarely used due to its low worth.
Design of Baht
The design of the Thai Baht is truly unique and reflective of the country's rich cultural heritage.
Thai Baht banknotes are brightly colored, featuring portraits of notable figures, including past monarchs, on the front side.
Intricate artwork, patterns, and security features are incorporated into the design, making each note visually distinct.
The back side of the notes often features important historical sites, moments, symbols, or influential figures in Thai history.
Baht banknotes have undergone 17 series since their existence, with the recent series featuring King Maha Vajiralongkorn in uniform.
Old-designed banknotes can still be used for transactions, adding to the currency's practicality.
The Bank of Thailand uses intaglio printing, giving the notes a tactile feel and making them slightly elevated.
Each banknote denomination has a distinct thickness and feel, making them easier to distinguish.
Baht coins are made from nickel-clad iron and come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 Baht.
The front side of the coins features the portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
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Denominations
The Thai Baht is a widely used currency in Thailand, and understanding its denominations can make a big difference in your travels. The banknotes come in various values, including 20 Baht, 50 Baht, 100 Baht, 500 Baht, and 1000 Baht.
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Each denomination features a different Thai royalty member, which can be helpful in demystifying your cash transactions. For instance, the 20 Baht note features King Rama IX, while the 1000 Baht note showcases King Rama IX as well.
The coins are available in denominations of 1 Baht, 2 Baht, 5 Baht, and 10 Baht. You can also find coins in the denominations of 25 and 50 satang, although they're not commonly encountered in everyday transactions.
Here's a breakdown of the banknote denominations and their typical usage:
- 20 Baht (฿20): Frequently used for minor purchases like street food or local transport.
- 50 Baht (฿50): Commonly used for intermediate expenses such as local meals or market purchases.
- 100 Baht (฿100): Versatile for dining out or entry fees to tourist attractions.
- 500 Baht (฿500): Handy for shopping or covering more substantial costs.
- 1000 Baht (฿1000): Ideal for major transactions like hotel accommodations or luxury purchases.
One baht is equivalent to 100 satang, so you can expect to encounter satang as change in smaller stores or supermarkets. However, due to its low worth, it's usually just rounded up or down.
Payment in
Payment in various countries can be quite different, but some trends are common.
In Thailand, cash is widely preferred, making it a cash economy. Most stores, supermarkets, and dining establishments accept baht as payment.
In some urban areas and tourist destinations, credit and debit cards are accepted, but extra charges may apply.
Carrying some cash in Thai baht is advisable, especially in remote locations where cash is the only accepted payment.
Baht
The Thai Baht is the official currency of Thailand and is issued in both banknotes and coins. It's a comprehensive range of denominations, with banknotes available in values of 20 Baht, 50 Baht, 100 Baht, 500 Baht, and 1,000 Baht.
You can also find coins with denominations of 1 Baht, 2 Baht, 5 Baht, and 10 Baht. The Thai Baht is further subdivided into smaller units called "satang", with one baht equivalent to 100 satang.
Coins in the denominations of 25 and 50 satang are also available for purchase, although they're not commonly encountered in everyday transactions. You might occasionally find satang as change in smaller stores or supermarkets, but it's usually just rounded up or down.
The Thai Baht has a rich history, with its modern incarnation dating back to the early 20th century following the reforms of King Rama V. He introduced decimalization of the Thai Baht, which was previously known as the Thai Tical by westerners.
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