The currency of Thailand ประเทศไทย
Thai
BahtTHB
The currency of Thailand is the Thai baht (THB), written ฿ and divided into 100 satang, with banknotes issued by the Bank of Thailand. It has floated since 1997, so its price moves with the market: one baht costs ₹2.98 at our selling rate right now.
- Code
- THB
- Symbol
- ฿บาท
- Subunit
- 100 satang
- In use since
- 1897
What is the currency of Thailand?
The currency of Thailand is the Thai baht, code THB, written ฿. One baht is divided into 100 satang. The Bank of Thailand issues the banknotes, and the Ministry of Finance announces the coins. The baht began as a unit of weight, about 15 grams, it became a decimal currency in 1897, and since 2 July 1997 the market has set its value instead of a peg to the dollar. The Thailand currency is the same from Bangkok to Phuket: on 5 Oct 2026, one baht was worth about ₹2.98 at our selling rate.
Thai Baht at a glance
- Currency
- Thai bahtบาท
- Code
- THBNumeric code 764
- Symbol
- ฿, or บาทA letter B with a vertical stroke, Unicode U+0E3F
- Subunit
- 1 baht = 100 satangสตางค์; only the 25 and 50 satang coins circulate
- Issuer
- Bank of ThailandBanknotes only; the Ministry of Finance announces the coins
- Introduced
- 1897A decimal baht of 100 satang; the baht began as a unit of weight
- Exchange rate
- Managed floatPegged at about 25 to the US dollar until 2 July 1997
- Used in
- ThailandThe official currency of Thailand
- Banknotes
- 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 bahtSeries 17, issued from 2018; the 20, 50 and 100 baht also in polymer
- Coins
- 25 and 50 satang, and 1, 2, 5 and 10 bahtThe 1, 5 and 10 satang coins are made for banks and do not circulate
Thailand currency notes and coins
Thai money comes as five banknotes and six coins. The notes are Series 17, issued from 2018, with King Vajiralongkorn on every front and two kings on every back, in reign order from Rama I to Rama X. The 20, 50 and 100 baht come in paper and polymer, and the 500 and 1,000 baht are paper. Each note is shown with what it costs in rupees at our selling rate today.
- Bank of ThailandTwenty baht฿20
Twenty baht ฿20
≈ ₹59.57 today- Colour
- Green, in paper and polymer
- Front
- King Vajiralongkorn in Royal Thai Air Force uniform
- Back
- Rama I with the Grand Palace, and Rama II with a Thai mural
- Bank of ThailandFifty baht฿50
Fifty baht ฿50
≈ ₹148.92 today- Colour
- Blue, in paper and polymer
- Front
- King Vajiralongkorn in Royal Thai Air Force uniform
- Back
- Rama III with a Chinese junk, and Rama IV with Khao Wang
- Bank of ThailandOne hundred baht฿100
One hundred baht ฿100
≈ ₹297.85 today- Colour
- Red, in paper and polymer
- Front
- King Vajiralongkorn in Royal Thai Air Force uniform
- Back
- Rama V's visit to Norway, and Rama VI with the founding of the Boy Scouts
- Bank of ThailandFive hundred baht฿500
Five hundred baht ฿500
≈ ₹1,489.25 today- Colour
- Purple, paper
- Front
- King Vajiralongkorn in Royal Thai Air Force uniform
- Back
- Rama VII granting the constitution, and Rama VIII's visit to Sampheng
- Bank of ThailandOne thousand baht฿1000
One thousand baht ฿1,000
≈ ₹2,978.50 today- Colour
- Brown, paper
- Front
- King Vajiralongkorn in Royal Thai Air Force uniform
- Back
- Rama IX's rural visit, and Rama X's visit in Thailand
Coins, in satang
Six coins circulate, from 25 satang to 10 baht. The 1, 5 and 10 satang coins are made for banks and are not in circulation. Coins with King Vajiralongkorn in profile entered circulation on 6 April 2018, and the 10 baht is bimetallic.
- 2525 satang
≈ ₹0.74 - 5050 satang
≈ ₹1.49 - 11 baht
≈ ₹2.98 - 22 baht
≈ ₹5.96 - 55 baht
≈ ₹14.89 - 1010 baht
≈ ₹29.79
Sources: Bank of Thailand, current banknotes; Bank of Thailand, Series 17 pages; Wikipedia, "Banknotes of the Thai baht" and "Ten-baht coin"; colours as printed. Rupee values at our selling rate, 10:25 AM IST, 5 Oct 2026.
Thailand's most-used note went polymer, and the paper one still works
The Bank of Thailand calls the 20 baht its most widely used denomination. In March 2022 it began issuing that note in polymer, and in November 2025 it did the same for the 50 and 100 baht. The paper notes did not stop working.
Series 17 begins
The notes in use today are issued from 2018, all with King Vajiralongkorn in Royal Thai Air Force uniform on the front. Series 16, with King Bhumibol, is what the Bank now calls the previous series.
The 20 baht goes polymer
The polymer 20 baht goes into issue through all banks' branches. The Bank of Thailand says it is cleaner and more durable, with the same design theme, and that the paper 20 baht notes remain legal tender.
Polymer 50 and 100 baht
The polymer 50 and 100 baht go into issue through all banks and ATMs, and can also be used with vending machines. The Bank says polymer notes last about four times longer than paper, around eight years, and cut at least 350 million replacement notes a year.
Paper and polymer circulate together
The Bank says the existing and the previous series remain legal tender. In your hands that means paper and polymer notes of the same value side by side, and Series 16 notes beside Series 17. The 500 and 1,000 baht notes are still paper.
Sources: Bank of Thailand, press releases 2/2022 (20 January 2022) and 32/2025 (29 August 2025), Series 17 and current banknote pages; Keesing Technologies; Wikipedia, "Banknotes of the Thai baht".
How the baht came to float
Until July 1997 the baht was held at about 25 to the US dollar. Since 2 July 1997 the market has set its value, which is why its price in rupees moves from day to day.
About 25 to the dollar until 1997
From November 1984 to June 1997 the baht was fixed through a basket of currencies, at about 25 baht to the US dollar. The Bank of Thailand defended that rate for months before it gave way.
The float of 2 July 1997
On 2 July 1997 the Bank of Thailand announced the float and cancelled the fixed exchange rate system. The crisis that followed, which the Bank calls the Tom Yum Kung Crisis, took the baht to a low of 56 to the dollar in January 1998.
A managed float today
The Bank of Thailand calls the present arrangement a managed float: the market sets the baht's value, and the Bank could step in if the currency became excessively volatile. Flexible inflation targeting has guided policy since May 2000.
One unit in rupees · our selling rate, 5 Oct 2026
Thai money through the years
The baht began as a unit of weight, became decimal in 1897 and has floated since 1997. Its history in eight entries.
- EntryThailand
The decimal baht
The baht, which began as a unit of weight of about 15 grams, becomes a decimal currency of 100 satang.
Launch - EntryThailand
The Bank of Thailand opens
On 10 December the Bank opens in the former offices of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and takes over note issue from the Treasury Department.
- EntryThailand
A basket peg near 25
From November 1984 to June 1997 the baht is held at about 25 to the US dollar under a fixed basket regime.
- EntryThailand
The baht floats
On 2 July the Bank of Thailand announces the float and cancels the fixed exchange rate system, the start of the crisis it calls the Tom Yum Kung Crisis. By January 1998 the baht has fallen from 25 to a low of 56 to the dollar.
The float - EntryThailand
Inflation targeting
In May the Bank starts flexible inflation targeting, which replaces the monetary targeting used since the float.
- EntryThailand
King Vajiralongkorn's notes and coins
Series 17 notes with the King's portrait are issued from 2018, and new coins with the King in profile enter circulation on 6 April, Chakri Day. The 500 and 1,000 baht notes follow on 28 July, the King's birthday.
- EntryThailand
The polymer 20 baht
On 24 March the polymer 20 baht goes into issue through all banks' branches. The Bank calls the 20 baht its most widely used denomination, and the paper note stays legal tender.
Polymer - EntryThailand
Polymer 50 and 100 baht
On 21 November the polymer 50 and 100 baht go into issue through all banks and ATMs. The 500 and 1,000 baht notes are still paper.
New notes
Sources: Bank of Thailand, history, banknote, monetary policy and "Tom Yum Kung lesson" pages, and press releases 2/2022 and 32/2025; Wikipedia, "Thai baht", "Banknotes of the Thai baht", "Ten-baht coin" and "1997 Asian financial crisis"; Khaosod English; ADST oral history, "Thai-tanic"; Federal Reserve History, "Asian financial crisis"; Keesing Technologies.
Baht and rupees side by side
Worked out at our selling rate at 10:25 AM IST on 5 Oct 2026. For the live rate on any amount, use the THB to INR or INR to THB converter.
| You pay | You get |
|---|---|
| ₹5,000 | ฿ 1,678.70 |
| ₹10,000 | ฿ 3,357.39 |
| ₹25,000 | ฿ 8,393.49 |
| ₹50,000 | ฿ 16,786.97 |
| ₹1,00,000 | ฿ 33,573.95 |
| ₹2,00,000 | ฿ 67,147.89 |
| You buy | It costs |
|---|---|
| ฿ 100 | ₹297.85 |
| ฿ 500 | ₹1,489.25 |
| ฿ 1,000 | ₹2,978.50 |
| ฿ 5,000 | ₹14,892.50 |
| ฿ 10,000 | ₹29,785.00 |
| ฿ 20,000 | ₹59,570.00 |
Spending baht in Thailand
Three things about Thai money that help on the first day, starting with what does not work from India.
UPI does not work in Thailand yet
As of 30 September 2026 UPI is not accepted in Thailand. India and Thailand have agreed to speed up a link between UPI and PromptPay, Thailand's instant-payment system, but no date is announced. RuPay works there only as a RuPay JCB card, on the JCB network.
UPI: not yet · RuPay: JCB onlyThe 20 baht note is the everyday one
The Bank of Thailand calls the 20 baht its most widely used denomination, so expect it as change. It comes in paper and in polymer, and one note is about ₹59.57 at our selling rate.
฿20 = ₹59.57Treat notes and coins with respect
Thais hold the monarchy in high regard, and the King's portrait is on the front of every note, so treat notes and coins with respect.
Do not step on, deface or tearTaking Thai baht from India
The Reserve Bank of India's rules apply to every currency, and the baht is no exception.
Up to the equivalent of USD 3,000 per trip can leave India as Thai baht notes. The rest goes on a forex card or as a bank transfer.
Every resident can send up to USD 250,000 abroad each financial year under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, travel included.
Tax collected at source applies once your foreign-exchange purchases in a financial year cross ₹10 lakh: nil when an education loan pays, 2% for self-funded education and medical treatment, and 20% for travel and everything else. It is credited against your income tax when you file.
Thai baht is on our booking form. Send your amount and the desk confirms your exact rate before anything is booked.
Book Thai Baht→Thai baht questions
The questions people type about the baht, answered in full, in three groups.
The basics
7 questionsWhat is the currency of Thailand?
The currency of Thailand is the Thai baht, code THB, divided into 100 satang. The Bank of Thailand issues the banknotes and the Ministry of Finance announces the coins, and the same baht is used across the country, from Bangkok to Phuket.
What is the currency of Bangkok?
Bangkok uses the Thai baht (THB), the same currency as the rest of Thailand, so there is no separate Bangkok currency. The Bangkok currency and the Thailand currency are one and the same money, in the same five notes and six coins everywhere.
What is the currency of Phuket?
Phuket uses the Thai baht too, so the Phuket currency is the same money as in Bangkok, and baht bought before you fly are spent unchanged there. There is no island currency and no separate notes or coins.
What is the full form of THB?
THB stands for Thai Baht: TH is Thailand's two-letter country code and B is for baht, following the ISO 4217 standard. That is the THB full form and the THB currency full form alike, and its numeric code is 764. The Thai baht short form is simply THB, and asked as "THB currency which country", the answer is Thailand.
What is the Thai baht symbol?
The Thai baht symbol, also called the Thailand currency symbol, is ฿, a letter B with a vertical stroke, encoded in Unicode as U+0E3F. Thai text also writes the baht as บาท, and THB is the international code.
What is the Thailand currency name?
The Thailand currency name is the baht, in full the Thai baht, and the same money is also called the Thai baht currency, the baht currency, Thailand baht or Thai currency. It is spelled baht, not bath or bhat, and although some people search for the Thailand rupees name, Thailand does not use rupees: the answer is the baht.
How many satang make one baht?
One baht is 100 satang, written สตางค์ in Thai. Coins come in 25 and 50 satang and 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht: the 1, 5 and 10 satang coins are made for bank use and are not in circulation.
Value and history
6 questionsWhy is it called the baht?
The baht began as a unit of weight, about 15 grams, and the money was fixed to the same weight of silver. The word comes from the Pali pāda, which is also a Sanskrit word.
Who issues the Thai baht?
The Bank of Thailand issues the banknotes and has the sole right to do so in Thailand. It opened on 10 December 1942 and took over note issue from the Treasury Department. The coins are a Ministry of Finance issue, with the Royal Thai Mint as the mint.
Is the Thai baht pegged to the US dollar?
Not any more. The baht was pegged at about 25 to the US dollar until 2 July 1997, when the Bank of Thailand announced the float. The Bank now calls the arrangement a managed float, so the baht's price in rupees moves with the market.
Which Thai banknotes are in use?
Five: 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht, all from Series 17 with King Vajiralongkorn on the front. The 20 baht has been polymer since 24 March 2022 and the 50 and 100 baht since 21 November 2025, each beside its paper note. The 500 and 1,000 baht are paper.
Are old Thai banknotes still valid?
In most cases, yes. The Bank of Thailand said in 2025 that the existing and the previous series remain legal tender, and in 2022 that the paper 20 baht stays legal tender beside the polymer note. We found no withdrawal deadline for any series in circulation, but no statement on notes older than the previous series either, so ask a bank about an old note before you travel.
What is the India link to the Thai baht?
India was Thailand's third-largest source of visitors in 2025, with about 2.49 million arrivals, behind only Malaysia and China, according to Thai tourism ministry figures. The word baht also comes from the Pali pāda, a word shared with Sanskrit.
Buying from India
3 questionsDo UPI and RuPay cards work in Thailand?
As of 30 September 2026, UPI is not accepted in Thailand. India and Thailand agreed on 9 September 2026 to speed up a link between UPI and PromptPay, with no launch date announced. A RuPay card works there only as a RuPay JCB card, so carry some baht as well.
How much Thai currency can I take out of India?
Up to the equivalent of USD 3,000 per trip in currency notes. Anything above that goes on a forex card or as a bank transfer, all within the USD 250,000 a year Liberalised Remittance Scheme limit.
How do I get Thai baht for a trip to Thailand?
Order them before you fly. Matrix Forex, an RBI-authorised Category-II dealer, has Thai baht on its booking form: send your amount through the booking bar at the top of this page and the desk confirms your exact rate before anything is booked. For the live rate on any amount, see the THB to INR converter.