Thai Baht

  • Economy News

    Baht depreciation: Experts foresee currency’s decline amid global market turbulence

    Financial experts are predicting a further depreciation of the baht throughout this month and next, due to the increased volatility in the global money and capital markets. This follows the US Federal Reserve’s recent suggestion of a potential increase in its benchmark interest rate. Poon Panitchpibun, a strategist at Krungthai Global Market, a research centre of Krungthai Bank, noted that…

  • Business News

    Thai baht instability rises due to political unrest

    Political unrest is heightening baht oscillations against the US dollar, as Thailand finds itself without a stable government, the head of the Bank Thailand asserts. This turbulence introduces a greater risk factor amongst investors who are observing the foreign exchange rate, particularly between the baht and the US dollar, in light of Thailand’s current political developments. Post Thailand’s General Election…

  • Business News

    Thailand’s baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry

    Asian currencies experienced a downturn yesterday, led by Thailand‘s baht, as concerns heighten surrounding the recovery status of the global economy’s second-largest player, China. The baht plunged by a substantial 0.8%, marking it as the largest depreciation against the US dollar in half a dozen weeks. Across the waters of offshore markets yesterday afternoon, it was changing hands at approximately…

  • Economy News

    Business uncertainty fuels Thai Baht dip amid political unrest and Asian currency devaluation

    Embroiled in political and business uncertainty, the Thai baht plummeted to a low unseen since last November, a seven-month dip, agitating investor confidence. This occurred alongside a universal lowering in the value of various emergent Asian currencies versus an emboldened dollar, fuelled by robust US data allaying recession fears. Stock markets in the region largely painted a bleak picture, with…

  • Business News

    Baht volatility looms amid political risk and new government formation

    Kasikornbank (KBank) has warned investors that the formation of a new government and political risk may result in increased baht volatility over the next month. The bank forecasts that the baht will fluctuate between 33.80-35.40 per US dollar during this period due to various internal and external factors. The primary determinant is the direction of the US Federal Reserve’s policy…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht soars as voters back pro-democracy parties

    The Thai baht hit a five-week high this morning after pro-democracy parties came out as the biggest winners in yesterday’s General Election after nearly a decade of military-backed rule in Thailand. The baht rallied 0.9% this morning to 33.70 against the greenback for the first time since April 5 after opposition parties Move Forward Pary (MFP) and Phue Thai won the…

  • Thai Life

    Thailand: Check your 20 baht bills, they might be worth more than you think…

    A Thai coin and banknote collector is offering big cash for a rare kind of 20 baht bill that could be in anyone’s wallet in Thailand. Some of the new plastic polymer 20 baht bills which entered circulation last year were printed without a vertical line on the left-hand side, as seen in the picture. “Gig” the rare money collector…

  • Video

    Police saved 2 hostages from Chinese kidnapper | GMT

    The latest episode of Good Morning Thailand is sure to be a hit with its exciting and diverse lineup of topics. From the potential effects of the US Bank collapse on Thai businesses to the successful capture of a Chinese kidnapper at the airport, viewers will be on the edge of their seats. The episode kicks off with a discussion…

  • Thailand News

    Phuket is facing labour shortage | GMT

    This week’s episode of Good Morning Thailand is sure to be a lively one, with a range of topics that will be sure to capture the attention of viewers. The first topic of discussion is the recent surge of the Thai baht, which has been attributed to the collapse of a major US bank. The panel will be discussing the…

  • Economy News

    89% of bank accounts in Thailand hold less than 50,000 baht

    The Bank of Thailand (BOT) reports that 88.88% of bank accounts in Thailand hold less than 50,000 baht (US$1,423) in deposits, according to Komchadluek. In total, there were 121.4 million bank accounts in Thailand at the end of 2022. Of those, 98.5 million (88.88%) held less than 50,000 baht and 1,023 bank accounts (0.0008%) held more than 500 million baht.…

  • Video

    Thailand welcomed 2.14 million international tourists last month | GMT

    Thailand is a country that is home to the most motorcyclists in the world and is currently in the process of haggling for discounted SEA Games broadcasting rights. Last month, the country welcomed 2.14 million international tourists, however, the recent news of a foreign tourist being slapped by a Khao San Road bouncer has caused concern. In more positive news,…

  • Thailand News

    Call for Covid boosters before wave of Chinese tourism | Thailand News Today

    Thai baht and Singapore dollar battle for strongest regional currency China is reopening its borders, pushing economists to predict that an influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand will propel the Thai baht into Southeast Asia’s reigning currency in 2023. But the baht has one regional competitor: the trusty Singapore dollar. Thailand’s economy heavily depends on tourism revenue. In 2019, Chinese…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht and Singapore dollar battle for strongest regional currency

    China is reopening its borders, pushing economists to predict that an influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand will propel the Thai baht into Southeast Asia’s reigning currency in 2023. But the baht has one regional competitor: the trusty Singapore dollar. Thailand’s economy heavily depends on tourism revenue. In 2019, Chinese tourists made up over 40% of the 40 million tourist…

  • Thailand News

    Thai man exchanges fake US dollar bills for baht at two banks in Thailand

    Yesterday, police arrested a Thai man in Pattaya who successfully exchanged fake US dollar bills for Thai baht at two banks in Thailand. The suspect said he was paid 2.5% of the cut to commit the crime. Police seized 759 counterfeit US dollar bills upon arresting 54 year old Nawat Singhawak in Chon Buri province’s Bang Lamung district yesterday. First,…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht depreciates against US dollar

    After a recent surge of strength by the Thai baht earlier this month, it has now depreciated against the US dollar. As of today, December 16, the baht now stands at about 35 per USD, according to an executive at Kasikorn Research Center, Kanchana Chokpaisarnsilp. Yesterday, the baht was at 34.92 per USD, Daily News reported. Market strategist Poon Panichphiboon…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht soars to six-month high against US dollar

    The Thai baht opened at 34.78 against the US dollar today, strengthening from yesterday’s close of 35 to a six-month high. The baht’s sudden rise is down to the Bank of Thailand’s (BOT) hiking the policy rate by a quarter point earlier this week. The BOT remains committed to a gradual monetary tightening policy, raising the policy rate from 1%…

  • Economy News

    Bank of Thailand to raise interest rates on Wednesday

    Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput today announced interest rates will be raised on Wednesday to deal with potential inflation increases. Governor Sethaput is expected to raise interest rates by a modest quarter-point to take the benchmark rate to 1.25% underscoring ongoing worries about growth in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. Thailand’s economy lagged its Southeast Asia contemporaries and is…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | 36 sex workers in Pattaya arrested for prostitution

    Car bomb kills one, hurts 31 at Narathiwat police flats Police found that a man dressing like a plainclothes policeman parked a bomb- carrying pickup truck which later went off, killed one police captain and injured 43 others at a police flat compound in Muang district on Nov 22. Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police Office,…

  • Economy News

    Fate of Thai baht depends on return of Chinese tourists, economists say

    The Thai baht has been flying recently but its upward trend could draw to a standstill unless Chinese tourists return to the Kingdom of Thailand, according to economists. In the past month, the baht appreciated almost 6% against the US dollar as reports indicated the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would slow down its aggressive interest rate hikes. Despite inflation, a reinvigorated…

  • World News

    US Federal Reserve hikes up interest rates again

    The United States Federal Reserve approved yet another aggressive interest rate hike yesterday in their quest to combat persistent inflation which is at a 40-year high in America. It is the fourth consecutive 0.75% interest rate hike approved this year. The central bank has raised the policy rate from near zero in March to what is now between 3.75-4%. It…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht plummets even further against US dollar

    The Thai baht depreciated even further against the strengthening US dollar. Last month, the baht plunged to 38 to the dollar for the first time in 16 years. Today, US$1 is worth 38.35 baht. Market strategist at Krungthai Bank Poon Panitphiboon revealed that the baht weakened from 38.25 yesterday to 38.35 against the dollar this morning. As US bond yields…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | Bank of Thailand to mount rescue of crumbling baht

    The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is attempting to steer the baht and the economy through some tricky times. As the government is apparently out of ideas to jump- start the economy due to high debt, the responsibility has fallen to the central bank. The central bank’s recent move to raise the key policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to 1%…

  • Property News

    Thailand’s monsoon baht debacle lights fire to Phuket real estate sector

    As Thailand’s monsoon season continues with what seems to be an endless line-up of thunderstorms and massive rain showers, the real story in Thai real estate is the baht. The Thai currency is precariously sitting at a 16-year low against the US dollar and has depreciated by nearly twelve per cent this year. As the exchange rate hovers near the…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht plunges to 38 against US dollar for first time in 16 years

    The volatile Thai baht has depreciated to 38 against the US dollar even faster than foreseen by economists. The last time the baht reached 38 to the dollar was 16 years and two months ago on July 26, 2006. The baht has hit the 38 mark even earlier than expected by the Head of Capital at Kasikorn Bank Kobsidthi Silpachai,…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | Bank of Thailand scrambles to address plummeting Baht

      The Bank of Thailand is scrambling to find sources behind the weakening baht as a meeting is called to discuss its impact. As of this recording, the baht trades at 37.4 against the US dollar. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith says the depreciating currency is adding to the inflationary pressures and vowing to determine whether the decline is linked to the country’s economic fundamentals.…

  • Economy News

    Thailand’s baht weakens against US dollar

    Thailand’s baht has weakened against the US dollar this year. On Wednesday, the conversion rate was 36.73 baht per dollar, having been weakened by 8.8% this year. The baht hit its lowest point in 15 years in July, when the rate was 36.945 baht per dollar. The US dollar has gotten stronger due to a drop in many countries’ foreign…

  • Economy News

    Is the Thai Baht falling in value?

    Yes. And no. Depends on which currency you want to compare it to. Against the mighty USD, absolutely yes. In February this year, the USD was valued at 32.12 baht to the dollar. Now it’s 36.48 baht to the dollar. Good news if you’ve got USD and heading to Thailand. GRAPHIC: xe.com But the story isn’t the same against many…

  • Thailand News

    Is now the best time to invest in Thailand due to the weak Baht | GMT

      Is now the best time to invest in Thailand? what are the pros and cons of a weaker Baht? Asia’s largest water park, Bangkok governor election winner and Do Thai teachers and institutions abuse their power? All this and more on today’s Good Morning Thailand.

  • Video

    Thailand News Update | Thailand’s inflation highest jump in 13 years, 5.7% year on year.

    Thai billionaire Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of CP Group, Thailand’s largest private company, has dropped from number 103 in last year’s ranking of Forbes’ new World’s Billionaires to number 137. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has topped the list for the first time. He ranks Number 1 with an estimated net worth of US $219 billion. This year, the total net…

  • Video

    Thailand News Update | SF Cinema rents out its theatre halls to gamers due to slow box office sales.

    The Royal Thai Police have arrested two officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau for allegedly kidnapping a gambling couple and their child last week. The wife claimed that officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau kidnapped her and her family for ransom, after they won 2 million baht from online gambling. The woman said that she, her husband and…

  • Thailand News

    Bank of Thailand updates 20 baht banknote for improved hygiene and longevity

    The Bank of Thailand has launched a new 20 baht banknote made of polyester. The banknote is said to resist moisture and grime, resulting in a longer shelf-life. The central bank began distributing the shiny new baht greenbacks on March 24. The Bank of Thailand announced that people used the 20 baht banknote the most frequently, making them dirty and…

  • Thailand News

    Test & Go, then test again I GMT

      Thailand resumes TEST & GO scheme, reopens Pattaya and Ko Chang Sandbox from 1 February 2022, but with new changes and amendments. A wildlife youtuber has discovered a new species of tarantula in Thailand and 20 baht bills in Thailand are getting a modern polymer update on March 24.

  • Bangkok News

    Thai baht rises as officials consider resumption of Test & Go

    Thailand saw strength in its currency “baht” today as expectations are high for the relaxing of quarantine for vaccinated visitors under “Test & Go” quarantine exemption scheme. Registration for the entry scheme was closed last month, but the Public Health Ministry is proposing the scheme be reopened again. The Public Health Minister says that if approved by the Centre for…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht falling over Omicron fears and strong US dollar

    As the Covid-19 pandemic drags on, it’s not just our patience and our resolve that is weakening. The Thai baht is falling too, weakening against a stronger US dollar and global fears over the impact of the Omicron variant rapidly spreading throughout the world. Today the conversion rate stands at 33.59 baht to the US dollar just off of its…

  • Economy News

    Thai baht to continue dropping against the USD

    The Thai baht is forecast to droop to a 4-year low over the next trading week, and its largest monthly currency drop for over 20 years. The Baht’s challenges shadow US dollar gains over concerns about the US Fed’s (US Federal Reserve) ‘tapering’ plans as it reins in enthusiastic stimulus of the US economy. Thailand’s baht has been the region’s…

  • Video

    Thailand News Today | 32M Pfizer doses on the way, weakening Thai baht | August 13

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister says there will be 32.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the country by the end of the year. The death from Covid-19 of another fully vaccinated healthcare worker has led to increased calls for Pfizer booster shots. The weakening Thai baht, against the US dollar, is propping up the export numbers. Tourism officials in…

  • Thailand News

    GMT | Covid update, monkey business, Thai gold | July 27

    GOOD MORNING THAILAND Tim and Jay go through the news in Thailand from the past 24 hours. It was a public holiday yesterday, so no program. Today we check out the monkey invasion, the drop of the Thai baht, the Sandbox Paradox and a South Korean TV station gaff at the opening of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. We…