PATTAYA, Thailand – The Thai baht moved to around 33.40 per US dollar in early trading on Thursday, marking its highest level in more than a year, according to Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS. The shift has been seen as improving value for foreign visitors holding US dollars, making travel and spending in Thailand more cost-efficient in relative terms. The currency opened at 33.43 baht per dollar, broadly steady from the previous close, before trading within a narrow range of 33.38–33.48. Analysts said the movement was mainly driven by a weaker US dollar and easing US Treasury yields, despite ongoing global uncertainty. Compared with earlier periods when the baht traded below 33 and at times closer to 31, the current level means dollar holders now receive more baht per exchange, increasing purchasing power for tourists across key spending categories such as hotels, air fares, seafood dining, Thailand-made gifts, and night-time entertainment.
Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS expects the baht to trade within a range of 33.20–33.60 over the next 24 hours, with short-term direction influenced by global risk sentiment and geopolitical developments in the Middle East. While gold prices declined and US Treasury yields eased, the baht’s movement was supported by a weaker dollar index and softer crude oil prices as shipping conditions in key global routes showed signs of stabilization. Analysts added that the baht remains exposed to two-way volatility in the short term, depending on global economic and political developments. While some market watchers note the currency’s current strength, others point to earlier years when levels near 35–36 were seen, reflecting a very different exchange environment at the time.
