Thai Bank Notes are available in 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 baht notes. examples are shown below although other designs are in circulation. Thailand has recent introduced new polymer notes which are similair.
Coins are available in 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht denominations. There maybe even some old 50 satang (half a baht) coins around. We nearly always leave our coins behind as part of a tip.Revolut is a real game changer if you are travelling. I’ve been using it for many years and even despite having a Thai Bank account I still use my Revolut account regularly.
Ensure you keep a good mix of notes on you especially the smaller denominations. Taxi drivers will rarely change a 1000 baht note.
You will need small demonination notes for the taxi from the airport and the freeway tolls. The best place to change larges notes is in the various shops and 7-11 in the Airport or the Mobile Phone store when you buy your sim or e-sim.
A 1000 baht note is equivalent to three times the minimum daily wage so although they are widely accepted maybe don’t pay a 50 baht bill with a 1000 baht note. Taxi drivers rarely have change for a 1000 baht note. A Thai worker can buy lunch for 50 baht.
Cash Machines issue 1000 and 500 baht notes so always attempt to use these for change at 7-11’s or larger shops but not market stalls or small shops who may struggle to change them.
