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Money and Costs
Business
Hours:
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a
five-day week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven
days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are generally
open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch break,
Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are open Mondays
to Fridays from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm except on public holidays.
 Currency and Currency exchange:
The thai unit
of currency is the baht 1 baht is divided into 100 satang. Note are
in denominations of 1,000 (brown), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50
(blue), 20 (green)
and 10 (brown) baht. Coins consist of 25 satang,
50 satang, 1 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht.
Major currency bills and travellers cheques are cashed easily at
hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centres and
money changers.Travellers cheques are best changed in banks (you
will need your passport). Rates of exchange at banks or authorized
money changers are better than those at hotels and department
stores.
Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into the country.
Visitors may take foreign currency out of Thailand, but no more than
the amount stated in the customs declaration made on arrival.
Travellers leaving Thailand may take out no more than 50,000 baht
per person in Thai currency.
Credit Cards:
Credit cards are widely accepted.
For lost cards :
American Express Tel : 0 2273 5100 or 0 2273 0022
Diners Club Tel : 0 2238 2920 or 0 2238 2680
Master Card Tel : 0 2256 7326-7
Visa Tel : 0 2256 7326-7
Tipping:
Tipping is not a usual practice in
Thailand although it is becoming more common. Most hotels and
restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do
not require a tip, but the gesture is appreciated and 10-20 baht is
acceptable for porters.
Bargaining:
Fixed prices are the norm in
department stores, but at most other places bargaining is to be
expected. Generally, you can obtain a final figure of between 10-40%
lower than the original asking price. Much depends on your skills
and the shopkeeper's mood. But remember, Thais appreciate good
manners and a sense of humor. With patience and a broad smile, you
will not only get a better price, you will also enjoy shopping as an
art.
Thai Money:
Thai unit of currency is
the baht. One hundred satang equals 1 baht. Paper money is made in
amounts of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht. Coins are 1, 5 and
10 baht pieces and also 25 and 50 satang. The king's face is
pictured on the front of every coin and every bill. At the moment,
it's about 42 baht per 1 US. dollar.
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1000 Baht
(front):
The portrait of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the reigning monarch, in the
uniform of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Size: width 8 cm ; length 16.6 cm
Paper Color: pale blue |
1000 Baht (back):
The portrait of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej & Queen Sirikit
performing royal activities |
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500 Baht
(front): The portrait of H.M. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, the reigning monarch and the Privy Seal
Size: width 7.2 cm ; length 15.6 cm
Paper Color: violet |
500 Baht (back): The portrait of the
monuments of Their Majesties King Buddha Yod Fa
Chulalok the Great (Rama I) and King Buddha Loet La
Nabhalai (Rama II), the drawing of the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha |
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100 Baht
(front): The portrait of H.M. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, the reigning monarch and the Royal
Initial Emblem of H.M. the King "Phor Por Ror"
Size: width 7.2
cm ; length 15 cm |
100 Baht (back): The portrait of the monument
of Their Majesties King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and
King Vajiravudha (Rama VI), together with their
Royal Initial Emblem |
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50 Baht (front): The portrait of H.M. King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, the reigning monarch, in the
uniform of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Size: width 7.2 cm ; length 14.4 cm |
50 Baht
(back): The monument of H.M. King Mongkut (Rama IV)
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20 Baht
(front): The portrait of H.M. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, the reigning monarch, in the uniform of
the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Size: width 7.2
cm ; length 13.8 cm |
20 Baht (back): The statue of Somdet Phra
Chao Taksin Maharaj, modeled from the monument at
Tung Na Choei Public Park, Amphur Muang, Chanthaburi
Province |
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10 Baht (front): The portrait of H.M. King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, the reigning monarch, in the
uniform of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Size: width 6.9 cm ; length 13.2 cm |
10 Baht (back): The equestrian statue of H.M.
King Rama V, modeled from the monument in the
courtyard of the Royal Dusit Palace
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