Wino Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I understand next year the government may put into circulation a 20 baht and 50 baht coin. Will this be a welcome change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaimo Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Will this be a welcome change? Possibly, if these coins are easily distinguishable from existing coins. When they came out with the 2 baht coin, it was very confusing because it was close to the size of the 5 baht coins. They have since changed the newer coins to a gold color, but most of the originals are still in circulation. I don't see any particular advantage to 20 and 50 baht coins. I would prefer to see bills in denominations larger than 1000 baht. I do not understand why 2000, 3000, or 5000 baht bills are not available. Perhaps it's because so many of the shops can't make change even for the 1000 baht bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I understand next year the government may put into circulation a 20 baht and 50 baht coin. Will this be a welcome change? No. And eliminate the 2 baht coin and satangs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I guess the government is doing this as a cost savings measure. Coins may be more expensive to make, but they last for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 And tougher to counterfeit coins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I second the motion for larger bills. It would be nice to have bigger bills than a 1,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 When I go out I don't carry anything larger than 500. I only use 1000's for paying the rent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted December 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 I like to have some "mad money" in my wallet in case of an emergency. I usually fold up a bill or two and hid it in one of the compartments in my wallet. Would be nice to have a 5,000 baht note for this function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 20, 2009 Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 Just don't give the 5000 note to a baht bus driver and expect change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted December 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 I always like to have the exact change for the baht bus driver or motorbike taxi guy. A good many small business vendors don't have the change for a 1,000 baht note. So a 5,000 baht note would be out of the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 20, 2009 Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 I always give exact change to a baht bus driver. And amazing how a small business doesn't have change of 1000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted December 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 It is amazing that many small businesses do not have change for 1,000 baht note. Usually not a problem, if you are not in a hurry. Seems they can always go down the road and find a friend or associate that has change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 I also prefer to pay with 500s since if wiseguys try giving change for 5000 when you give 1000. If I give 1000 I always announce to the server neung pan baht. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patong Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Must admit I prefer 20 baht & 50 baht notes to save lugging about change in my pocket. I never take coins of 1 baht or less in shops, just tell then to keep it. Try to use 5 & 10 baht coins as quick as possible. I carry quite a bit of small notes in my pocket as many vendors never have change, I often suspect they hope you will just say 'keep the change'. I know that taxi drivers in Phuket never ever have any change, and just drive off with your 'change' without further discussion. I always make sure I have change before boarding a bus, or buying small items in a mom & pop shop. No problems in 7/11 though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 No problems in 7/11 though. 7/11 has their act together, never been shortchanged there and a good place to get change of 1000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaimo Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 a good place to get change of 1000. If I am in need of smaller bills, a trick that I use is to withdraw 900 baht at a time from an ATM or 400 baht at a time if I don't want 500 baht bills. But you have to have a Thai bank account for this to be a viable alternative. If you are using a foreign ATM card, the ATMs all charge a 150 baht fee for each withdrawal. Speaking of small change and 7-Eleven, if you keep one-baht coins and satang coins in a piggy bank, when you have enough of them don't try to exchange them at a bank. A bank won't take them. However, stores such as 7-Eleven and Family Mart do want them and they are happy to count it all out and exchange it for you. It is best to go during hours when the store won't be crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 If I am in need of smaller bills, a trick that I use is to withdraw 900 baht at a time from an ATM or 400 baht at a time if I don't want 500 baht bills. Yup that's what I do Thaimo and coincidentally 900 baht a day is the budget I try to stick with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I like to have money in my pocket and do not necessarily enjoy going to the ATM daily. When I make a withdrawal I usually go into the bank and ask for a combination of 1,000, 500, 100 and 20 baht notes. I put what I don't want to carry in my safe and put the rest in the wallet. Works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 My main ATM is a place I'd be walking by anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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