Currency and Shopping

CURRENCY INFORMATION

The currency of Thailand is the Baht in note and coin form. The most useful notes are the 20, 50 and 100 though there are 500 and 1000 as well. They are in different colors which helps in avoiding mistakes. The most common counterfeits are the 1000 incidentally.

Credit cards: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are found in all major cities and almost all provincial banks.

ATM: ATMs are found in all major cities and almost all provincial banks.

Travellers cheques: Accepted by all banks and large hotels and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1530.

Currency exchange:

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks (which have the best rates), hotels (which charge high commissions) and bureaux de changes can be found in larger towns (generally open 0800-2000). Outside large towns and tourist areas, notes higher than ฿500 may be difficult to exchange, so visitors are advised to carry small change.

SHOPPING

What to Shop in Thailand

Thai Silk - Before being introduced to the market of the world after World War II, Thai silk had already gained recognition in the whole Asia. The texture is beautiful and the weave are gorgeous with outstanding quality. It’s either hand reeled or hand woven, which gives it a natural uniqueness that people turn it into clothes, shawls, neckties and even photo frames.

Jewelry or Gold - Some provinces in Thailand, for instance, Kanchanaburi, are famous for its rich resource of valuable jewels like rubies and sapphires. Moreover, even in small towns you’ll notice the great number of gold shops due to the reason that the Thais prefer to keep their money in gold. The quality would not let you down!

Wood Carving - Wood carving has a good reputation of its ancient patterns and delicate craftsmanship. It can be made into aesthetic forms from animals, buildings to figures you see on the wall of traditional temples. Chiang Mai is a good place to shop this item.

Dried Fruits - As a tropical country, Thailand owns abundant lists of exotic fruits that will tease your taste buds. If you want to bring some for your friends or relatives, why not try the dried fruits? They are convenient to carry and do not spoil for a short time. The best thing is that they taste just like the real fresh ones you have in Thailand!

Lacquerware - Again, Chiang Mai has the best lacquerware to shop due to its distinctive style and unique dark-red-on-black coloring. The intricate decoration presents the ancient tradition that once had impact on the lacquerware industry of Myanmar. Vase, cup, bowl made from wood or woven bamboo are the different forms of lacquerware for your choice.

Always remember to bargain in a shop that doesn’t belong to a mall, do not accept the first offer. Shops often run from 10am to 10pm. Malls don’t close on Sundays, but small shops do.

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