Thailand Currency - Thai Baht

Thailand currency is called the Thai Baht and is written as ฿

If you would like to know how much your currency is worth in Thai baht, you can use this handy currency converter at the bottom of the page.

Thai Currency is made up of the Baht and is divided into 100 Satang.

Thai Coins come in 6 denominations

1 Baht
2 Baht
5 Baht
10 Baht
25 and 50 Satang

Thai Bank notes come in 5 denominations

20 Baht (Green note)
50 Baht (Blue note)
100 Baht (Red note)
500 Baht (Purple note)
1000 Baht ( Brown note)

Thailand Currency Conversion Cheat Sheet

Make sure you read on and print out the exchange cheat sheet, a handy piece of paper to have before going shopping in Phuket.

Taking Money to Phuket

The choices we all have today are so much better than when we had to use travellers' cheques and cash.

These days, we have the availability of debit and credit card facilities just about everywhere we go.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are one of the most common ways that most of us gain access to our money when overseas. It’s fast, easy and nearly always accessible through ATM machines or EFTPOS transactions.

The only downside to using this facility is the fees that your provider charges you for accessing your own money.

We suggest you always take out a lump sum and keep it safe; that way you keep your transaction fees down.

Credit Cards

Just about everyone has a credit card, and you will find that credit cards are widely accepted in the tourist areas.

If you choose to pay for everything on credit, just beware and always keep your credit card in sight.

With today’s technology, it doesn’t take much for your details to be copied or scanned. With credit card fraud on the rise, we always suggest you only use your credit card in secure locations.

Personally, we don't use our credit card unless it is necessary.

You will also find the exchange rate for the Thai currency, and extra fees will cost you more.

Cash

Carrying cash comes down to your choice; it has always worked well for us.

Just make sure that you keep your cash in a secure location when travelling and in the hotel's security safes when you're out exploring.

When exchanging our money for Thai currency, we would often check out 2 or 3 exchange booths, as you will find they all offer different exchange rates, so shop around to find the best rates.

Before you head off shopping, make sure you print off a copy of our Thailand Currency Cheat Sheet.

The cheat sheet is easy to use and makes shopping much more fun.

How & Where to Access Your Money in Phuket

Currency Exchange Booths

Phuket has definitely moved with the times, from when you had only the hotel currency exchange counter or a couple of small banks and a handful of currency exchange booths in Patong to exchange your money or to change travellers' cheques into Thailand Currency.

Today, accessing your funds has never been easier; there are currency exchange outlets all over the Island, and you will find the majority are in the main tourist areas and Phuket Town.

Banks in Phuket

Banking hours usually run from 08:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Some small branches are located in the shopping malls and are open from 08:30 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week.

Most major banks have branches in Phuket City and Patong, as well as a few sub-branches dotted around the island.

ATM’s in Phuket

You will find ATM’s in all your shopping areas and at most 7 Eleven stores.

Nearly all currency exchange booths will offer an ATM service.

Personally, if we are going to use an ATM, we usually go into one of the banks within the shopping centres and withdraw a lump sum of Thai currency to avoid all those dreaded bank fees.

We find the exchange rates in the hotels and at the airport are not as good as the Exchange Booths or local banks.