PATTAYA, Thailand – Leaving a tip in Pattaya’s bars, restaurants, and service venues may feel a little heavier on the wallet this week. Kasikornbank (KBANK) forecasts the Thai baht will move in the range of 32.10–32.80 per U.S. dollar between August 11–15, after closing at 32.36 last Friday.
The baht has recently strengthened alongside other Asian currencies, fueled by weaker-than-expected U.S. labor data and market expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve may cut interest rates in September. Additional weakness in the dollar came from soft U.S. services sector data and uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s trade and tax policies.
A stronger baht means foreign tourists exchanging dollars, pounds, or euros will get fewer Thai baht for the same amount of foreign currency, effectively making everyday spending — from street food to bar tips to a relaxing massage — more expensive, not to mention pricier airfares, shorter hotel stays, fewer out-of-town adventures, and reduced ability for long-term visitors to send financial support to Thai families.
While the baht’s gains may be good news for Thailand’s import costs, visitors looking to be generous with gratuities might find themselves recalculating their tips. Tourists are advised to keep an eye on exchange rates and consider withdrawing or exchanging currency when rates are favorable to get the most out of their travel budget.
