Thai Baht

Overview

Economy

• Thailand is a member of ASEAN, APEC, G77, Non-Aligned Movement.
• Main industries include: Tourism, Textiles and garments, Agricultural processing, Beverages, Tobacco, Cement, Light manufacturing, Integrated circuits, Steel, Motor vehicles.
• Thailand is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are crude oil, machinery and parts, electronic integrated circuits, iron and steel, jewelry including silver bars and gold, polymers of ethylene, automobile and parts, chemicals.
• Major exports include automobiles and parts, computer and parts, jewelry, polymers of ethylene, refine fuels, electronic integrated circuits, chemical products, rice, fish products, rubber products, sugar, cassava.
• GDP: $534.8 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $7,607 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 1.1% (2023 est.).
• Inflation rate: 1.2% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: China, United States, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore.
• Trade agreements: ASEAN FTA, RCEP, Thailand-Australia FTA, Various bilateral agreements.

History

• Previous currencies used: Traditional baht (weight-based), Various historical currencies.
• The baht has been Thailand's currency since the 15th century, though the modern system was established in 1897. It survived the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis after initial devaluation.
• 1897: Modern baht system established
• 1928: Currency linked to gold standard
• 1942-1945: Japanese occupation currency changes
• 1963: Decimalization (100 satang = 1 baht)
• 1997: Asian Financial Crisis, baht floated
• 2010: Political crisis and economic impact
• Exchange rate peg: USD (1963-1997).
• Exchange rate peg: Free floating (1997-present).

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: THB
• Symbols: THB/฿
• Currency Subunits: 100 satang
• Central Bank: Bank of Thailand
• Monetary Policy: Inflation targeting with flexible exchange rate. Focus on price stability while supporting export competitiveness and tourism sector.
• Bills: 20 THB, 50 THB, 100 THB, 500 THB, 1000 THB
• Coins: 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, 10 baht
• USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 35-36 THB per USD)
• Pegged To: None (Floating)
• Capital: Bangkok
• Population: 70,078,203 (2023 est.)
• Area: 513,120 km²
• Languages: Thai (official), English, Ethnic and regional dialects
• Time Zones: UTC+7 (Indochina Time)
• Government Type: Constitutional monarchy
• Head of Government: King (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
• Independence: Never colonized
• Ethnic Groups: Thai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, Other 1.1%, Unspecified 0.1%
• Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1%, Other 0.1%
• Literacy Rate: 92.9% (2015 est.)
• Transport: Suvarnabhumi Airport, extensive road network, railway system, Bangkok mass transit, major ports
• Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 85% internet penetration, comprehensive mobile coverage
• Energy: Natural gas 53%, Coal 19%, Hydroelectric 7%, Oil 6%, Renewables 15%
• Countries Using This Currency: Thailand
• Data Sources: Central Bank: Bank of Thailand (bot.or.th), Economic Data: National Statistical Office Thailand, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Thai Customs Department, Demographic Data: National Statistical Office Thailand, Geographic Data: Thai Meteorological Department, Historical Data: Bank of Thailand archives
• Last Updated: 2025