The monetary unit of Thailand is baht. The rate of Thai baht in Russia is set monthly, and in January 2010 was 89, 49 rubles per 100 baht. Buy bats in Russia is almost impossible, and too unprofitable. Bats change in Thailand. The best rate is offered by licensed exchange offices, working up to a maximum of 21-22 hours. When exchanging bills of $ 50- $ 100 for baht, you get more bats (that is, a more profitable rate) for them than for $ 5- $ 10 bills. Do not take crumpled and tattered bills - you will be hard to get rid of them.

For calculations it is better to have cash, although bank cards and traveler's checks are also accepted for payment. Ask your Russian bank if you should use a card in Thailand - some banks recommend refraining from dealing with cards, in order to avoid fraud. Specify also the size of the commission when withdrawing money through an ATM and during an exchange - it can be very high.

Tipping in Thailand is usually given only in tourist centers - 5-10 baht to porters and guides, 10-20 baht per day maid, 10% of the cost of the bill in the restaurant (but sometimes the cost of service is included in the bill and is allocated in a separate line), rounded up to 5-10 baht in the higher side of the bill in a taxi.

Natalia Dorovskaya