Language Thai, the country's official language, is spoken by nearly all its people. Hotel personnel speak English and travel agency guides are fluent in several languages. The Thai baht is divided into 100 satangs. One-baht coins are silver. The 50 and 25 satangs coins are brass.
Newspapers list daily exchange rates.
There is no currency black market. Most establishments accept traveller cheques but not personal cheques. Only banks in the major cities can handle currency transfers. In cities and resorts, banks operate currency exchange kiosks accepting two dozen currencies at rates set each day by the government's Bank of Thailand. Credit Cards American Express, Diner's Club, Mastercard, and Visa are widely accepted in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and major up-country towns.