Currency in Thailand
About to head on an adventure to Thailand? You'll need some Thai currency to get you on your way.
The official currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). In this article, we've put together everything you need to know about the the Thai Baht and share some tips on how to get the best deal on your conversion from NZD to THB.
Before you head to Thailand, learn about:
- What Thai notes and coins look like
- Can you use New Zealand Dollars in Thailand?
- How to buy Thai Baht before your trip
- How to buy currency when you get to Thailand.
What Thai notes and coins look like
Notes
Thai notes are very different to our currency in New Zealand. They are made up of:
฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500
Coins
There are quite a few coins in Thailand currency. The coins in circulation in Thailand are:
฿1, ฿2, ฿5, ฿10, ฿25 Satang, ฿50 Satang.
Can you use New Zealand Dollars in Thailand?
No, you can't.
While we travel to Thailand very frequently, you cannot use New Zealand dollars in Thailand. Just like you can't use Thai Baht here! The rest of this article has some information about how you can convert currency for your holiday.
You can find out the exchange rate between the NZD and THB with our currency converter, here.
Is it cheaper to convert currency in New Zealand or Thailand?
Because exchange rates change so frequently, and every provider offers different rates it's hard to say the cheapest way and place to exchange currency.
Having said that, because Thailand sees so many New Zealand tourists every year it is one instance where it is often better to exchange your currency when you get to Thailand. The rates for THB are notoriously bad in New Zealand, no matter where you go. And in popular areas in Thailand like Phuket, Bangkok, and Ko Samui you will probably find they're much better.
Both in New Zealand and in Thailand, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. On both ends, the rates will be much worse than in the city centres.
To find the best place to buy THB, you can read our guide here.
How to buy Thai Baht before your trip
Online
This is a convenient way to buy currency but you need some time. You can choose where to pick the order up from, and in some instances can get home delivery. When you order with Travelex, you can choose to order cash, a prepaid Travelex Money Card or both!
Use code CURRENCYSHOP to get a better THB rate with Travelex.
Money Changers
This is the best way to get currency quickly. You will find them in major shopping centres and towns. Our tip, is that the exchange rates are better in your city than what you'd find further out. So it can be worth going there if you're exchanging more than $2,000.
Find the best currency exchange in your part of the countryhere.
Bank
Most banks do exchange currency. The issue is that they often have high fees, and don't offer very good rates. It's always better to compare rates elsewhere before deciding, but as a standard rule it's best to avoid your bank. Especially for a popular currency like THB.
Airport
Yes, you can buy currency at the airport. But that doesn't mean you should. While it's convenient, it's also very expensive. If you have run out of time before your trip, it's definitely better to buy currency when you get to Thailand, or use your Kiwi debit card instead.
How to buy currency in Thailand
If you decide to buy your currency when you get to Thailand, the first thing you'll need to do is make sure you have New Zealand dollars in cash. This way you can exchange it when you get there.
Similar to in doing it in New Zealand, it's best to avoid buying currency at the airport and the bank, and better to do it in one of the major city centres.
There are many money exchange booths you will find in the streets of popular areas. Just make sure you carefully count what they give you.
