Currency
The Thai monetary unit is
the baht (often seen mis-spelled as ‘bath’), which is subdivided
into 100 satang. Sometimes, 25 satang is called one ‘saleng’
but this term is rapidly disappearing as the value of the
baht diminishes.
Coins are used in denominations
of 25 satang (brass), 50 satang (brass), 1 baht (silver),
5 baht (silver with a copper rim), and 10 baht (brass with
a silver margin). Bank note denominations comprise 10 baht
(brown), 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red),
500 baht (purple) and 1,000 baht (gray). Both coins and banknotes
have western and Thai numerals on them. Try not to tender
500 or 1,000 baht notes on local buses or when buying a 10
baht bowl of noodles as change probably won’t be available.
All banks will change high denomination notes.
Banks
Most banks in Thailand open
from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, Monday to Friday (except national
holidays). The main Thai commercial banks (Bangkok Bank, Thai
Farmers Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Krung Thai Bank) have
branches throughout the country. Foreign banks also offer
commercial banking services. See list of bank head offices.
Most banks in Thailand have
a nationwide network of ATM machines that dispense Thai baht
only. The ATMs usually have Thai and English language displays
and will accept the cards of other Thai banks, and foreign
cards that use internationally recognized electronic banking
systems. Many teller machines will also accept VISA or MasterCard
(the logos will be prominently displayed).
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