Cards are widely accepted in Thailand but it’s still worth having some cash with you at all times. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Cash is often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason. You’ll be able to choose between a mixture of modern and traditional payment methods in Thailand.

You can choose to send money directly to a bank account or make it available for cash pickup at various locations across Thailand. The two-baht coin, confusingly similar in color and size to the one-baht coin, was changed from nickel-clad low-carbon steel to aluminium bronze. New two-baht coin was the first of the new series released on 3 February 2009, forex etoro review followed by the satang coins in April, a five-baht coin in May, a ten-baht coin in June, and a one-baht coin in July 2009. Cowrie shells from the Mekong River had been used as currency for small amounts since the Sukhothai period. Before 1860, Thailand did not produce coins using modern methods.

The proposal aimed to modernize the monetary system and align it with the decimal systems increasingly adopted by other countries at the time. King Rama V approved the transition to a decimal-based currency, which simplified accounting processes. Because Thailand sees many tourists from the US every year you might find you’re better off if you exchange your currency when you get to Thailand rather than worrying about getting your cash sorted out before you leave.

Thai baht

Always do your own research before making any financial decisions. We do our very best to give you the most accurate journalistic information, but we can’t guarantee to be perfect. You use the information at your own risk, for more details read how our site works. For more on understanding exchange rates, consult an exchange rate guide.

Explore Thailand Tour Package: Bangkok, Pattaya…

To send money to Thailand, you typically need a government-issued ID, recipient’s full name matching their ID, their address, and depending on the amount and the service, additional verification might be required. For the most accurate and up-to-date rates, consider using our AUD to BHT currency converter before making any exchanges. The Thai Baht’s journey began in the 15th century, deeply intertwined with Thailand’s royal heritage. Today’s banknotes are not only a means of transaction but also a celebration of Thailand’s royal history, adorned with intricate artwork and portraits that tell tales of the nation’s rich cultural fabric. The Thai Baht, denoted by the symbol ฿ and the international currency code THB, is the primary currency used in Thailand.

Issue 7,8,9 – 1908, 1913, 1929, 1939

If you don’t want to worry about converting your cash, you can also use a prepaid travel card to spend and make cash withdrawals on arrival, which can be a cost effective and time saving solution. Bank transfers are normally used for larger purchases, and to make ongoing payments like rent or utilities. This payment method may be relevant to you if you’re planning to stay in Thailand for a longer time, for work how to avoid slippage in forex or study for example.

It is advisable to exchange large value notes instead of small ones. For example, exchanging 100 USD notes would give you a much better deal than exchanging 2 USD notes. Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in USD to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city center are likely to be cheaper overall.

In the U.S., people may not handle bills and coins with much care. The country has a strict national law prohibiting insults to its monarchy, known as the lese-majeste law. Thailand, part of mainland Southeast Asia, is popular for its delicious cuisine, religious temples, beautiful beaches, and friendly people. Formerly referred to as Siam, and officially named the Kingdom of Thailand, it boasts a colorful currency called the Thai baht (THB). Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in AUD to exchange when you arrive. This currency calculator is provided in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

• For the savvy traveler, choosing where to exchange currency in Thailand is key.
• Series 7 banknotes relied on private printing under the supervision of the Bank of Thailand.
• Bank transfers have the advantage of being secure and easy to set up through your mobile or online banking network.
• Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.

While it’s normally free to use the wallet itself, the underlying card may still impose costs such as foreign transaction fees when you spend in THB. For the savvy traveler, choosing where to exchange currency in Thailand is key. Typically, local exchange offices offer more competitive rates than ATMs, which may not update their exchange rates daily and often charge transaction fees. For accurate rates and planning, check out our BHT/AUD currency converter.

2003 (Series 9 to Series , early Rama IX era

Just use your prepaid travel card at an ATM whenever you need to restock your suppliers of local cash in Thailand, to avoid the risk of carrying too much cash in your pocket at any given time. This Thai Baht and United States Dollar convertor is up to date with exchange rates from April 17, 2025. By following these guidelines, foreigners in Thailand can navigate currency exchange smoothly and securely, ensuring they get the most out of their money while enjoying their stay in Thailand. Looking to stay informed on dynamic currency conversion rates from AUD to BHT? A baht is also a unit of weight for gold and is commonly used in jewellers and goldsmiths in Thailand.

The silver coins differ in size to the British counterpart due to the baht being pegged to a different unit of silver. The copper coin in this case were base metal and were not pegged to any standard metal, hence their size tend to differ more throughout history. If you’re paying for things in Thailand with a USD bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.

• In 2018, the Royal Thai Mint and the Ministry of Finance issued a new series of general circulation coins, featuring the same standard specifications, but feature a portrait of its current king, Vajiralongkorn.
• Before developing modern banknotes, Thailand used shells—pot duang—and baked clay coins as legal tender.
• The best time to exchange Thai baht depends on the currency exchange rate for each currency pair, which fluctuates.
• Here’s a full rundown of the THB coins and banknotes you’ll need to be familiar with when you’re in Thailand.
• You can often find the denominations displayed in Arabic numerals and Thai numerals.

These banknotes series are not yet demonetized and hence still legal tender, though they are never seen in circulation anymore. Series 6 banknotes were produced by Royal Thai Survey Department. Series 5 banknotes were produced by Notes Printing Works of Japan. Recognizing the inefficiencies, the Minister of Treasury proposed to King Rama V that Siam’s currency system should be decimalized.

​​​​​​​Thailand’s economic rise has made the Thai Baht (THB) a favorite instrument for foreign exchange (FX) currency traders. It has become an important unit of account for the global economy. As of 2019, the Thai Baht was the 24th most-traded currency according to the Bank of International Settlements.

Double exchange is not a viable option either since it is more expensive than a single exchange. In popular tourist areas, exchange offices are located every few meters away. Of course, exchange rates fluctuate all the time, so these are just a snapshot of each currency conversion. Because there still weren’t enough Thai coins in circulation to meet the demand, the government allowed three foreign commercial banks to operate and issue banknotes in 1889, 1898, and 1899.

The currency is issued in both banknotes and coins, each with distinctive designs that reflect Thailand’s rich heritage and culture. The first series to depict king Rama V, the coins of this how to read stock charts for beginners issue were made of copper, silver, and gold. Though gold was strangely only used for the 1 fueang denomination.38 The new shield emblem was introduced in this issue. Drawing from western influences, symbols within these sections represented territories Siam was controlling.

Limits may vary depending on your transaction history, the recipient’s location, and the service used. Western Union’s website or agents can provide specific limits based on your transaction details. The Thai economy expanded at a 5% average annual rate between 1999 and 2005, and GDP growth slowed further to an average annual rate of 3.5%. This performance has dramatically reduced poverty in Thailand, from a rate of 67% in 1986 to 7.2% in 2015, and has raised the country to the status of an upper-middle income country, according to the World Bank.

Bank transfers have the advantage of being secure and easy to set up through your mobile or online banking network. However, bear in mind that some banks and money transfer services will add fees when you send a payment, which can include a charge added to the exchange rate when you convert your money to THB. Many shops and businesses in Thailand, large or small, accept card payments during transactions.