Overview
Sights And Activities
Planning Your Trip
Accommodations
Outdoor Recreation
Cultural Essentials
Beyond Tourism
Basics
The currency chart below is based on August 2009 exchange rates between local currency and Australian dollars (AUS$), Canadian dollars (CDN$), European Union euro (EUR€), New Zealand dollars (NZ$), British pounds (UK£), and US dollars (US$). Check the currency converter on websites like www.xe.com or www.bloomberg.com for the latest exchange rates.
As a general rule, it’s cheaper to convert money in Thailand than at home. While currency exchange will probably be available in your arrival airport, it’s wise to bring enough foreign currency to last at least 24-72 hours.
When changing money abroad, try to go only to banks or exchange bureaus that have at most a 5% margin between their buy and sell prices. Since you lose money with every transaction, it makes sense to convert large sums at one time (unless the currency is depreciating rapidly).
If you use traveler’s checks or bills, carry some in small denominations (the equivalent of US$50 or fewer) for times when you are forced to exchange money at poor rates, but bring a range of denominations since charges may be applied per check cashed. Store your money in a variety of forms; ideally, at any given time you will be carrying some cash, some traveler’s checks, and an ATM and/or credit card. All travelers should also consider carrying some US dollars (about US$50 worth), which are often preferred by local tellers.
Traveler’s checks are one of the safest and most convenient means of carrying funds. American Express and Visa are the most-recognized brands. Many banks and agencies sell them for a small commission. Check issuers provide refunds if the checks are lost or stolen, and many provide additional services, such as toll-free refund hotlines abroad, emergency message services and assistance with lost and stolen credit cards or passports. Checks are accepted in most cities in Thailand, although travelers to more rural areas should carry sufficient baht to last the duration of their trip. Also, due to high incidences of fraud, Thai bank clerks tend to be suspicious of signatures, so be confident with yours. Ask about toll-free refund hotlines and the location of refund centers when purchasing checks, and always carry emergency cash.
Where they are accepted, credit cards often offer superior exchange rates—up to 5% better than the retail rate used by banks and other currency exchange establishments. Credit cards may also offer services such as insurance or emergency help and are sometimes required to reserve hotel rooms or rental cars. MasterCard/Maestro/Cirrus and Visa/Plus are the most frequently accepted.
American Express cards can be used at Bangkok Bank ATMs throughout Thailand. Cardholders (enrolled in the Express Cash program) can withdraw cash from their checking accounts at any of AmEx’s offices and many representative offices. For more info, call ☎+1-800-227-4669 in the US (the international assistance number is ☎+1-800-732-1991) or visit www.americanexpress.com.
The use of ATM cards is widespread in Thailand. Depending on the system that your home bank uses, you can probably access your bank account from abroad. ATMs get the same wholesale exchange rate as credit cards, but there is often a limit on the amount of money you can withdraw per day (usually around US$500). There is sometimes a surcharge of US$1-5 per withdrawal.
Debit cards are as convenient as credit cards but withdraw money directly from the holder’s checking account. A debit card can be used wherever its associated credit card company (usually MasterCard or Visa) is accepted. Debit cards often also function as ATM cards and can be used to withdraw cash from associated banks and ATMs in Thailand. Note, though, that ATMs are scarce in more rural areas of Thailand.
The two major international money networks are MasterCard/Maestro/Cirrus (for ATM locations ☎+1-800-424-7787 or www.mastercard.com) and Visa/PLUS (for ATM locations ☎+1-800-847-2911 or www.visa.com). Most ATMs charge a transaction fee that is paid to the bank that owns the ATM.
If you run out of money while traveling, the easiest and cheapest solution is to have someone back home make a deposit to your bank account. Otherwise, consider one of the following options.
It is possible to arrange a bank money transfer, which means asking a bank back home to wire money to a bank in Thailand. This is the cheapest way to transfer cash, but it’s also the slowest, usually taking several days or more. Note that some banks may only release your funds in local currency, potentially sticking you with a poor exchange rate; inquire about this in advance. At Bangkok Bank you do not need to have an account in order to receive money transfers; however, you will need to present photo ID in order to claim your transfer (there is a 0.25% fee levied on every transaction; min. amount for transfer 200฿, max. 500฿). For more information on sending or receiving funds from overseas, call Bangkok Bank at ☎66 02 685 7777. Money transfer services like Western Union are faster and more convenient than bank transfers—but also much pricier. Western Union has many locations worldwide. To find one, visit www.westernunion.com, or call in Australia ☎+61 800 173 833, in Canada and the US +1-800-325-6000, in the UK +44 0800 833 833, or in Thailand +66 053 240 241. Several banks in Thailand, including Bank of Asia and Bank of Ayudhya, are authorized Western Union agents.
In serious emergencies only, the US State Department will forward money within hours to the nearest consular office, which will then disburse it according to instructions for a US$30 fee. If you wish to use this service, you must contact the Overseas Citizens Services division of the US State Department (☎+1-202-501-4444, from US ☎888-407-4747).
The cost of your trip will vary considerably, depending on where you go, and where you stay. The most significant expense will probably be your round-trip (return) airfare to Thailand (see Getting to Thailand) and a railpass or bus pass. Before you go, spend some time calculating a daily budget.
The price difference between the cheapest options and the mid-range options in Thailand is often very small. At the moment, package tours are on the rise. Often, they offer efficient travel while still being affordable, but for many travelers, packaged deals can feel limiting. In any case, Thailand is budget friendly.
To give you a general idea, a bare-bones day in Thailand (camping or sleeping in hostels/guesthouses, buying food at supermarkets) would cost about US$10 (about 340฿) a slightly more comfortable day (sleeping in hostels/guesthouses and the occasional budget hotel, eating one meal per day at a restaurant, going out at night) would cost US$15 (500฿); and, for a luxurious day, the sky’s the limit. Don’t forget to factor in emergency reserve funds (at least US$200) when planning how much money you’ll need.
Some simpler ways include searching out opportunities for free entertainment, splitting accommodation and food costs with trustworthy fellow travelers, and buying food in supermarkets rather than eating out. Bring a sleepsack to save on sheet charges in hostels and do your laundry in the sink (unless you’re explicitly prohibited from doing so). Museums often have certain days once a month or once a week when admission is free; plan accordingly. If you are eligible, consider getting an ISIC or an IYTC ; many sights and museums offer reduced admission to students and youths. For getting around quickly, bikes are the most economical option. Don’t forget about walking, though; you can learn a lot about a city by seeing it on foot. Drinking at bars and clubs quickly becomes expensive; it is much cheaper to buy alcohol at a supermarket and imbibe before going out. That said, do not go overboard. Though staying within your budget is important, do not do so at the expense of your health or a great travel experience.
Tipping in Thailand is not customary but much appreciated. The philosophy behind tipping is based on two principles: tai boon, the idea of merit-based tipping, and the “show-off” gesture of the giver, where the one doing the tipping is demonstrating his wealth to those with him. For Westerners, the general rule is that if an establishment includes a service charge in the bill, tipping is not necessary. In restaurants that don’t levy service charges, you don’t need to tip more than a 10% gratuity, but leaving the equivalent of US$2-5 is appropriate. Most people will welcome the extra baht, as the average yearly income for some regions of Thailand is as low as US$150. Foreigners should expect to pay higher entrance fees than native Thais at some places, including beaches, museums, and monuments. A tuk-tuk driver is not tipped unless hired as a private driver for an excursion. With metered taxis in Bangkok, however, the custom is to round up to the nearest 5฿.
Most officials are unwilling to accept bribes from foreigners, and it is unwise to initiate an under-the-table transaction. If an official demands a fee or fine that you feel may be illegal, proceed with caution. Paying the bribe might be preferable to the alternative, but keep in mind that it is also illegal. If you politely ask for a receipt, or to speak with the official’s superior, you might be able to defuse the situation. As a very last resort, threatening to contact your embassy may also be effective.
There is a 7% VAT (value-added tax) in Thailand levied on most items, including hotel rooms and food; it is usually already included in stated prices. Menus, tariff sheets, etc., specify if VAT is not included in the listed price. There is also a departure tax (700฿ for major international airports) that you must pay in the airport before leaving. The value of this tax varies depending on the airport from which you leave and destination to which you fly.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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