The currency of Thailand is the Thai baht, written with the ISO code THB and the symbol ฿, and as of 2026 one US dollar buys roughly 35 baht. The baht is issued and managed by the Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank, and it is the only legal tender accepted for everyday transactions throughout the kingdom. Each baht is divided into 100 smaller units called satang, though satang coins are rarely used in practice today.
What the Thai Baht Is and How It Is Divided
The baht (฿) is a decimal currency, meaning it splits cleanly into 100 satang. In daily life, however, prices are almost always quoted in whole baht, and the smallest coins you are likely to handle are the 25 and 50 satang pieces — both worth a fraction of a US cent and often left in a shop's tip jar. The Bank of Thailand controls the money supply and sets monetary policy, while a parallel system of "gold baht" still exists in the jewellery trade, where one baht of gold equals about 15.2 grams. This dual meaning of the word, as both money and a weight of precious metal, reflects the baht's very old origins.
Banknotes and Coins You Will Use
Thai banknotes are colour-coded, which makes them easy to tell apart even at a glance. The series in circulation includes:
- ฿20 — green, the smallest and most useful note for street food and small purchases
- ฿50 — blue
- ฿100 — red
- ฿500 — purple
- ฿1,000 — brown, the highest denomination
Coins come in 25 satang, 50 satang, ฿1, ฿2, ฿5 and ฿10 values. The ฿10 coin is bimetallic, with a brass-coloured centre and a silver-coloured ring, and it is occasionally mistaken for a €2 coin because of its similar size. Every current banknote carries a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), and coins likewise bear royal imagery. Because the money depicts the monarch, defacing, tearing or stepping on Thai currency is treated as a serious offence — a small but important cultural rule for visitors to remember.
A Currency With Centuries of History
The word "baht" was originally a unit of weight used for measuring silver and gold, not a coin at all. For much of its early history Thailand used bullet-shaped lumps of silver known as pot duang rather than minted coins. The country modernised its money in 1897, adopting a decimal system that divided the baht into 100 satang and replaced the older fractional units. For decades the baht was effectively tied to the US dollar, but that arrangement ended dramatically in July 1997, when speculative pressure forced the Bank of Thailand to abandon the peg. The baht's sudden plunge triggered the Asian financial crisis that swept across the region. Since then the currency has floated on the open market and recovered to become one of Southeast Asia's most stable and widely traded currencies.
Using Money as a Traveller in Thailand
Thailand remains a heavily cash-based society, particularly at markets, street stalls, temples and in rural provinces, even though card payments and QR-code apps like PromptPay are now common in cities, malls and hotels. For the best exchange rates, change foreign money at licensed exchange booths in tourist districts rather than at airport counters, which tend to offer weaker rates. ATMs are plentiful but usually charge a fixed fee for foreign cards and often dispense large ฿1,000 notes, which can be awkward to break at small vendors — so it helps to keep a stock of ฿20, ฿50 and ฿100 notes for daily spending. Tipping is not deeply ingrained, but rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated. If you want to explore more about the country itself, see our thailand country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the symbol and code for the Thai baht?
The Thai baht uses the symbol ฿ and the international ISO 4217 code THB. You will see prices written either as "฿100" or as "100 THB", and both refer to the same currency.
How many baht are in a US dollar?
As of 2026, one US dollar is worth approximately 35 baht, though the exact rate moves daily because the baht floats freely on currency markets. Always check a live rate before exchanging large amounts.
Can I use US dollars or euros in Thailand?
No. The baht is the only legal tender for everyday purchases, and most shops, restaurants and transport will not accept foreign cash. You should exchange your money for baht or pay by card where accepted.
What is a satang?
A satang is the subunit of the baht, with 100 satang making one baht. Only the 25 and 50 satang coins still circulate, and because they have such tiny value they are rarely used in cash transactions.