Thailand Bangkok · THB

What currency does Thailand use, and how do people pay?

Thailand's currency is the Thai baht, code THB, divided into 100 satang. Cash is still handy for street food, market stalls, taxis and small shops. ATMs are easy to find, though local banks usually charge a fixed fee on every withdrawal made with a foreign card.

Card payments are routine in supermarkets, shopping centres and hotels. QR-code payments linked to bank accounts are everywhere, from food stalls to convenience stores, and many visitors now pay this way through apps that support Thai QR codes. Carry some small notes anyway, because not every vendor takes cards.

Where do people in Thailand buy groceries and everyday goods?

Everyday shopping in Thailand is split between fresh markets, supermarkets, hypermarkets and a dense network of convenience stores, many of which open around the clock. Many households buy meat, fish, fruit and vegetables at fresh markets in the early morning, and go to supermarkets for packaged and imported goods.

Night markets combine ready-to-eat food with clothing and household items. Polite bargaining is normal for clothing and souvenirs at stalls, but not for food sold by weight or in shops with marked prices. Many large stores no longer hand out free plastic bags, so a reusable bag is worth carrying.

Is VAT included in shelf prices in Thailand?

Yes. Shelf prices in Thai shops normally include value added tax, which has been charged at a reduced rate of 7% for many years instead of the 10% written into law. Some restaurants and hotels add a service charge and VAT on top of menu prices, so check the note at the bottom of the menu.

Visitors can claim back VAT on eligible goods bought in shops that take part in the tourist refund scheme. You usually need your passport when buying, a refund form from the shop and a customs check at the airport before departure. Minimum spends and procedures change, so check the current rules before you shop.

How have prices in Thailand changed recently?

Consumer price inflation in Thailand has been low in recent years, and in some months prices were even slightly lower than a year earlier. Energy costs, harvests and government measures on fuel and electricity tend to move the headline figure. For visitors, the exchange rate between the baht and their own currency often matters more than local inflation, which is why every price on this page carries the date we read it.