Thai Currency
The Thai unit
of currency is the Baht which is worth a little less than 4 US
cents.
One US dollar = approximately 40 Baht.
The Baht is divided into 100 Satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25
and 50 Satang. "Silver" coins are in denominations of 1' 2 and 5
Baht. A 10 baht coin is composed of both "silver" and "copper".
Banknotes are valued at 10 baht (brown), 20 Baht (green), 50 Baht
(blue), 100 Baht (red), 500 Baht (purple) and 1,000 Baht (khaki).
Traveller's
Cheques/ Cheques/Credit Cards
US dollar traveler cheques can be conveniently cashed at all
provincial banks and authorized money changers. Traveler cheques in
other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates
prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower then those
offered by banks and authorized money changers. Major international
credit cards, such as American Express, Diners, Carte Blanche,
Master Card and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants,
hotels and s hops.
Thai and foreign banks provide standard services nation-wide, Monday
through Friday, except public and bank holidays, between 8.30 AM and
3.30 PM. Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank, Thai
Farmers Bank and Siam Commercial Bank operate currency exchange
centers in most tourist areas from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM, seven days a
week, including holidays. Many first-class hotels provide 24'-hour
money exchange services, but only for major currencies such as
American dollars, British pounds, German marks and Swiss francs.
Travelers cheques are generally accepted only from bona fide hotel
guests.
Exchange Control
- Foreign tourists may freely bring in
foreign banknotes or other types of foreign exchange. Upon leaving
Thailand, a foreign tourist may freely take out foreign means of
payments which he brought in with him, with the exception that
foreign notes or coins are limited to a maximum equivalent of US$
10,000 or the amount declared in writing to Customs upon arrival.
Failure to do so may lead to arrest,
confiscation of the excess amount involved and/or prosecution.
- For travelers leaving Thailand, the
maxi- mum amount permitted to take out without prior authorization
is 50,000 Baht per person
- Foreign visitors may bring in personal
effects and other goods which are not prohibited by current
customs regulation. Other than personal effects, departing
visitors are also allowed to take out merchandise bought from duty
free shops, precious stones, gold and platinum ornaments.
- Foreign visitors are welcome to open a
foreign currency account with any commercial bank in Thailand. As
a special gesture to non-residents, no restrictions are imposed on
the maintenance of and withdrawal from the account, as long as the
funds originate from abroad.
For additional information concerning
foreign exchange regulations, please contact any authorized banks.
Thai Public Holidays 2001
| January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| February 8 |
Makha Puja Day |
| April 6 |
Chakri Day |
| April 13-17 |
Songkran Festival |
| May 1 |
Labour Day |
| May 5 |
Coronation Day |
| May 7 |
Visakha Puja Day |
| May 16 |
Ploughing Ceremony |
| July 5 |
Asalha Puja Day |
| July 6 |
Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent) |
| August 12 |
H.M. The Queen's Birthday |
| October 23 |
Chulalongkorn Day |
| December 5 |
H.M. The King's Birthday |
| December 10 |
Constitution Day |
| December 31 |
New Year's Eve |
Electricity
The electric system is 220 Volt AC
(50 cycles). There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travelers with
shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a
plug-adapter kit.
Weights & Measures
Thailand uses the metric measure system except for land
area and gold weight which uses the old Thai system.
| Area |
|
Volumetric Measure |
|
| 1 sq wah |
4 sq meters |
1 kwian (2 bun) |
2000 liters |
| 1 ngan (100 sq wah) |
400 sq meters |
1 bun (50 tung) |
1000 liters |
| 1 rai (4 ngan) |
1600 sq meters |
1 tung |
20 liters |
|
|
1 tananluang |
1 liters |
|
|
1 yok (wood) |
17.78 sq ft |
|
|
. |
|
| Linear Measure |
|
Weights |
|
| 1 niu |
0.619 inch (English) |
1 baht |
4 saleung |
| 1 niu |
4 krabiad |
1 baht (gold) |
15 g |
| 1 keub (12 niu) |
9.54 inch or 25 cm |
1 tamleung (4 baht) |
60 g |
| 1 sawk (2 keub) |
50 cm |
1 chang (20 tamleung) |
1.2 kg |
| 1 wah (4 sawk) |
2 m |
1 harb (50 chang) |
60 kg |
| 1 sen (20 wah) |
40 m |
1 karat (diamond) |
20 centigram |
| 1 yoht (400 sen) |
16km |
|