Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Financials
Remember to call your banks and credit cards before you leave home to let them know
that you will be traveling and when so that your accounts aren't mistakenly frozen. You can
change money ahead of time or withdraw money once you arrive but be sure to check the
fees that your banks and cards charge for international transactions.
Thereareplentyofbanksinmajorandsmallercitiesandyoucanuseyourcreditcardseasily
in big cities. For smaller vendors and less visited destinations it is always a good idea of
have cash (baht) on hand.
The Thai baht fluctuates but at the time of writing it is 1 US dollar to 32.9 baht. One baht is
divided into 100 satang.
Example prices:
● Local meal from a street vendor: 30-50 baht
● Local beer: 100-150 baht
● Dorm bed: 200+ baht
● Budget double room: under 500 baht
● Mid-range double room: 500 - 1,500 baht
● Splurge double room: more than 1,500 baht
● Motorcycle weekly rental: 3,000 to 15,000 baht, depending on the type
Tipping is not very common outside of the tourist areas where hotel and airport porters and
taxi drivers will be hoping for a tip. You can round up to the nearest small bill or add in a
few baht for good service. In the fancier restaurants a service charge will often be added to
the bill in which case the tipping is covered. If no charge is added then you can add a 10%
to 15% tip.
