Buzz
The question of where to exchange Thai currency is among the most frequent for solo travelers exploring Thailand. So, refer to the article below to exchange money swiftly!
What currency does Thailand use?
Thai Baht Currency (PHOTO ST)
The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht, symbolized as THB. In addition, the country uses both banknotes and coins. Unlike the coins in our country in the past, coins in Thailand are extremely useful. When taking the train, travelers need to use coins to purchase tickets at self-service ticket machines. Without enough coins, you'll have to use banknotes and wait in line at the counter to exchange for coins, which can be time-consuming.
Using coins to buy train tickets at BTS stations (PHOTO ST)
The highest denomination of Thai banknotes is 1000 THB, and the lowest is 20 THB. As for coins, they come in denominations of 10, 5, 2, and 1 THB, with 2 THB coins being less commonly used because ticket machines do not accept this coin.
Thailand is a fairly modern country, so most shops, restaurants, and hotels accept cards for payment. Therefore, if you don't have time to exchange money, you can also use your card. However, using a card will also incur an additional fee from the bank, so it's worth considering!
Thai coins collection (PHOTO ST)
Various methods for currency exchange while traveling in Thailand
Convert all currency to Thai Baht in advance in Vietnam
With this approach, you'll exchange your entire planned amount to Thai Baht in Vietnam. This way, when you arrive in Thailand, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about where to exchange Thai currency or running out of money.
You can exchange Thai currency in Vietnam before your trip (PHOTO ST)
However, in Thailand, everything comes at quite an affordable price, so you should also be mindful not to exchange too much to avoid having excess currency! Moreover, if you exchange a large amount, be prepared to carry a not-so-light 'money chunk' with you.
Exchange part to Thai Baht, part to USD in Vietnam
Remember to count carefully when exchanging currency (PHOTO ST)
If you prefer not to exchange all your money into Thai currency or want the convenience of carrying less, you can apply this method. In this way, you'll exchange only a moderate amount of Baht, enough for spending on the first day. The remaining portion will be exchanged into USD and then converted back to Baht upon arrival in Thailand.
Where to exchange Thai currency in Vietnam and Bangkok?
This is a renowned and long-standing foreign exchange agent chain in Thailand (PHOTO ST)
In Hanoi, you can visit Hà Trung Street, which is a hub for various foreign exchange stores. The stores here offer comparable rates, with notable addresses being:
- Quốc Trinh: 27 – 29 Hà Trung, 38287906
- Thịnh Quang: 33 Hà Trung, 39289482
- Chính Quang: 30 Hà Trung, 39381397
Currency exchange counters right at the airport (PHOTO ST)
In Thailand, you can exchange currency at the airport, but the rates are relatively high, so it's advisable to limit currency exchange at the airport. Additionally, along the tourist streets in Bangkok, there are numerous foreign exchange counters, but for safety, it's recommended to visit renowned agents like:
- SuperRich 1965: 97/11 GJA001 Suite Ground Floor Big-C Super Center
- SuperRich 1965: 22 Soi Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd.
- SuperRich 1965: Soi Sukhumvit 22, Khlong Toei
- SuperRich 1965: 64 J.City Building A004, Suite Silom Rd.
Important notes when exchanging Thai currency to Vietnamese currency
Exchanging from USD to THB in Thailand can save you a bit (PHOTO ST)
The current exchange rate (December 2017) is approximately 1 THB = 700 VND. Currency exchange agents in Hanoi usually offer comparable rates, with not much difference. So, if you don't need to exchange a large amount for business purposes, there's no need to worry too much about choosing between them.
According to Thai law, tourists entering Thailand must carry a minimum of 20,000 THB, equivalent to 700 USD. Therefore, for safety, it's advisable to prepare a reasonable amount of money before traveling here!
Try to exchange Thai currency with various denominations (PHOTO ST)
When exchanging money, try to get as many denominations as possible! Sometimes, a 1000 Baht note can be challenging to spend, especially for items with smaller values.
In addition to exchanging Thai currency at banks and agents, you can also buy from fellow travelers who have excess currency. Be cautious to avoid buying counterfeit money, but the advantage is that you may get a lower exchange rate compared to exchanging at official agents.
Currency exchange counters at the airport often offer less favorable rates (PHOTO ST)
It's advisable to only exchange USD to Baht in Thailand rather than directly exchanging from VND to Baht here. The exchange rate for Vietnamese currency in Thailand is relatively low, so you could incur significant losses.
So, where to exchange Thai currency is no longer a challenging question for you, right? Wishing you a perfect journey!
