Money and banking in Thailand
Thai money is called baht (฿) and it is the official currency of Thailand. One baht can be divided into 100 satang (สตางค์). The current exchange rate is 1 USD = 34.53 THB or 1 THB = 0.029 USD. You can use the Xe Currency Converter or (https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?From=USD&To=THB) to check the latest rates and convert between different currencies.
Banknotes in Thailand are part of the Thai baht, which is the official currency of Thailand. The Bank of Thailand is responsible for issuing the banknotes, which come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 baht. The banknotes feature the portrait of the current king, King Vajiralongkorn, on the obverse, and various images of previous kings and landmarks on the reverse. The banknotes also have security features such as holograms, watermarks, and color-shifting ink to prevent counterfeiting
Coins in Thailand are part of the Thai baht, which is the official currency of Thailand. The Bank of Thailand is responsible for issuing the coins, which come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 baht, as well as 25 and 50 satang. The obverse of the coins features the image of the current king, King Vajiralongkorn, while the reverse shows various symbols of Thai culture and history. The coins are made of different metals, such as nickel, copper, and aluminum, and have different sizes, shapes, and colors. Here is a table summarizing the main features of the coins in Thailand:
25 satang Copper-plated steel Reddish brown Round 16 mm 1.2 mm 1.9 g King Vajiralongkorn Wat Phra That Hariphunchai
50 satang Nickel-plated steel Silver Round 18 mm 1.2 mm 2.4 g King Vajiralongkorn Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan
1 baht Nickel-plated steel Silver Round 20 mm 1.8 mm 3 g King Vajiralongkorn Wat Phra Kaew
2 baht Nickel-clad copper Gold Round 21.75 mm 2 mm 4.4 g King Vajiralongkorn Golden Mountain Temple
5 baht Nickel-clad copper Gold Round with indented edge 24 mm 2 mm 6 g King Vajiralongkorn Wat Benchamabophit
10 baht Ring: Nickel-clad copper / Center: Aluminum-bronze Gold / Silver Round with 12-sided center 26 mm 2 mm 8.5 g King Vajiralongkorn Wat Arun
If you are looking for an ATM in Pattaya, you have many options to choose from. There are ATMs from various banks and networks, such as Bangkok Bank, Krungthai Bank, Aeon Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, Siam Commercial Bank, Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Union Pay, and others. You can find ATMs at the airports, malls, convenience stores, and bank branches. Some of the locations where you can find ATMs in Pattaya are:
Tesco on Naklua Road in North Pattaya
Carefour on Pattaya Klang in Central Pattaya
Home Works at the Big C Shopping Center on Sukumvit and Pattaya Tai
HSBC Bank on Pattaya 2nd Road in South Pattaya
To use an ATM in Thailand, you need to have a card that belongs to one of the accepted networks, such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, or Cirrus. You also need to have a four-digit or six-digit PIN number. You may want to inform your bank before you travel to Thailand, so that they do not block your card for security reasons. You should also be aware of the fees and limits that apply to ATM withdrawals in Thailand. For example, most ATMs have a withdrawal limit of 20,000 baht per transaction, and charge a fee of 220 baht per withdrawal. You may also incur additional fees from your own bank and from the exchange rate conversion
According to the latest update on T.T. Currency Exchange, one of the most trusted currency exchange leaders in Pattaya, the current buying and selling rates for some popular currencies are as follows:
Currency Buying Rate Selling Rate
USD (L) 34.05 THB 34.70 THB
EUR (L) 37.25 THB 38.20 THB
GBP (L) 43.00 THB 44.00 THB
AUD 22.86 THB 23.70 THB
RUB 0.330 THB 0.380 THB
CNY (L) 4.760 THB 4.950 THB
You can also use their currency converter to check the exchange rates for other currencies
T.T. Currency Exchange has several branches in Pattaya, such as:
South Pattaya Branch: 27/31-32 Moo 10, Pattaya 2nd Road Nongprue Banglamung Chonburi 20150
Pattaya Soi 13 Branch: 20150 Pattaya Second Road (Sai Song), Na Kluea, Chon Buri, 20150
Jomtien Beach Branch: 108/8 Moo 12 Jomtien Beach Road, Jomtien, Pattaya, Chon Buri, 20150
I can help you find some information about international and Thai credit, debit cards.
According to the web search results, there are different options for using cards in Thailand, depending on your needs and preferences. Some of the factors to consider are:
The exchange rate and fees for converting your currency to Thai baht
The availability and cost of ATM withdrawals in Thailand
The acceptance and security of card payments in Thailand
The benefits and perks of different cards, such as travel insurance, rewards, or cashback
Some of the best travel money cards for Thailand are the Wise Multi Currency card, which offers the best exchange rate for Thai baht, a Westpac Worldwide Wallet or Up Bank debit card for ATM withdrawals, and the BankWest Platinum Breeze or ING One Low Rate cards for credit purchases
If you are interested in getting a Thai credit card, you will need to meet some requirements, such as having a work permit, a minimum income, and a bank account in Thailand. Some of the benefits of having a Thai credit card are:
You can avoid currency conversion fees and ATM charges
You can access discounts and promotions at various merchants in Thailand
You can build your credit history and score in Thailand
You can earn rewards points or cashback on your spending
You can compare different Thai credit cards and their features on websites such as [MoneyGuru] or [MoneyHub].
I can help you find some information about banks in Pattaya.
According to the location results, there are several banks in Pattaya that you can visit, such as:
Bangkok Bank: 221 Pattaya Nuea Road, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150
Kasikorn Bank: 336/14 Pattaya Klang Road, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20260
ATM K-Bank: Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Sukhumvit Road, Na Kluea, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150
According to the web search results, opening a bank account in Thailand as an expat has some benefits and challenges. Some of the benefits are:
Lower ATM withdrawal fees
Easy shopping with a debit card
No conversion fees for local currency transactions
Some of the challenges are:
Different requirements and policies for each bank and branch
Need to file a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form for remittances over $50,000 USD
Need to have a work permit, a minimum income, and a bank account in Thailand to get a Thai credit card
The cost of living in Pattaya, Thailand, depends on various factors such as the type of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. According to different sources, the average monthly expenses for a single person range from 20,822.6฿ to 31,626฿ without rent. For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs are between 69,971฿ and 74,301฿ without rent. The median after-tax salary is 15,350฿, which may not be enough to cover the living expenses for most people.
Some of the common prices in Pattaya are as follows
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district: 161฿
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar): 252฿
1 liter of whole fat milk: 60฿
12 eggs, large: 70฿
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area: 14,912฿
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area: 7,316฿
Internet 8 mbps (1 month): 539฿
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands): 3,089฿
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new: 1,000,000฿
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles): 120฿
Pattaya is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, nightlife, and entertainment options. It is also a hub for digital nomads, who can enjoy the low cost of living, the warm climate, and the high-speed internet. However, Pattaya also has some drawbacks, such as the traffic congestion, the pollution, and the crime rate. Therefore, living in Pattaya may not suit everyone’s preferences and lifestyle.
The cost of living in Thailand varies depending on the location, lifestyle, and personal preferences of the individual. According to different sources, the average monthly expenses for a single person range from 19,987.6฿ to 57,448฿ without rent. For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs are between 71,086.9฿ and 105,573฿ without rent. The median after-tax salary is 15,350฿, which may not be enough to cover the living expenses for most people.
Some of the factors that affect the cost of living in Thailand are:
Accommodation: The rent for a furnished apartment or studio can vary significantly depending on the size, location, and quality of the property. The average monthly rent for an 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in an expensive area is 55,023฿, while in a normal area it is 28,350฿. The average monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in an expensive area is 20,628฿, while in a normal area it is 9,937฿
Food: The cost of food in Thailand depends on whether one cooks at home, eats out, or orders delivery. The average price of a basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district is 127฿, while a combo meal in a fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) is 220฿. The average price of a kilogram of rice is 19.32฿, while a dozen eggs cost 70.73฿. The average price of a bottle of wine (mid-range) is 600฿, while a 0.5 liter bottle of domestic beer is 58.95฿
Transportation: The cost of transportation in Thailand depends on the mode, distance, and frequency of travel. The average price of a one-way ticket (local transport) is 30฿, while a monthly pass (regular price) is 1,008฿. The average price of a liter of gasoline is 39฿, while a taxi start (normal tariff) is 35฿. The average price of a new Volkswagen Golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, is 1,015,310฿
Utilities: The cost of utilities in Thailand includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage, mobile phone, and internet. The average monthly cost of basic utilities for a 85 m2 (900 sqft) apartment is 2,500.78฿, while for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio it is 1,626฿. The average monthly cost of a mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data is 504.24฿, while the average monthly cost of internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) is 589.58฿
Personal care: The cost of personal care in Thailand includes items such as toiletries, medicine, clothing, and footwear. The average price of a cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) is 100฿, while the average price of a 1 kg (2 lb.) of local cheese is 275.28฿. The average price of a pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) is 1,983฿, while the average price of a pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) is 3,085฿
Entertainment: The cost of entertainment in Thailand includes activities such as sports, leisure, cinema, and childcare. The average monthly fee for a fitness club for 1 adult is 1,579.57฿, while the average price of a tennis court rent (1 hour on weekend) is 325.13฿. The average price of a cinema ticket for an international release is 220฿, while the average monthly cost of preschool (or kindergarten), full day, private, for 1 child is 13,374.72฿
These are some of the main aspects of the cost of living in Thailand, but there may be other expenses that are not included in this summary. The cost of living in Thailand is also subject to change due to inflation, exchange rates, and other factors. Therefore, it is advisable to do further research and compare different sources of information before making a decision to live or retire in Thailand.