Northern Thailand - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 960

The unit of Thai currency is the baht, which is divided into 100 satang; coins include
25-satang and 50-satang pieces and baht in 1B, 2B, 5B and 10B coins. Notes are in 20B
(green), 50B (blue), 100B (red), 500B (purple) and 1000B (beige). Rarely are other cur-
rencies accepted.
Occasionally high-end hotels in Bangkok will quote prices in US dollars; when this is
the case we've followed suit. Also note that in certain border sections we've quoted dol-
lars or the local currency when Thai baht is not accepted.
ATMs & Credit Cards
Debit and ATM cards issued by your home bank can be used at ATMs, which are wide-
spread, to withdraw cash (in Thai baht only). Thai ATMs now charge a 150B foreign-
transaction fee on top of whatever currency conversion and out-of-network fees your
home bank charges. Cards can also be used for purchases at many shops, hotels and res-
taurants. The most commonly accepted cards are Visa and MasterCard. Top-end hotels
will accept Amex.
Moneychangers
Banks and private moneychangers (only found in popular tourist destinations) give the
best exchange rates and hotels give the worst. Since banks charge commission and duty
for each travellers cheque cashed, use large denominations. British pounds and euros are
second to the US dollar in general acceptability.
OPENING HOURS
The following are standard hours for different types of businesses in Thailand. All govern-
ment offices and banks are closed on public holidays.
Banks 9.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday; ATMs accessible 24 hours.
Bars & Nightclubs Bars 6pm to midnight (officially); closing times vary due to local en-
forcement of curfew laws; bars close during elections and certain religious public holi-
days. Nightclubs 8pm to 2am; closing times vary due to local enforcement of curfew laws.
Government offices 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday; some close for lunch (noon to
1pm), while others are open Saturday (9am to 3pm).
Restaurants 10am to 10pm; some specialise in morning meals and close by 3pm.
Stores Local stores 10am to 6pm daily; department stores 10am to 10pm daily. In some
small towns, local stores close on Sunday.
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