Tightening Travel Budgets – With a stronger baht, international visitors may find daily costs for food, lodging, and souvenirs in Thailand noticeably higher. (Photo – Jomtien Beach Road, Pattaya) PATTAYA, Thailand – The Thai baht closed on Tuesday at 32.75 per U.S. dollar, compared to Monday’s level of 32.62. While the change may appear modest, it reflects a continuing trend of baht strength that could pose challenges for international tourists visiting Thailand. The appreciation of the baht comes as global gold prices dip and several Asian currencies, including the Japanese yen, experience depreciation. The yen’s fall is tied to a drop in Japan’s bond yields, and in Thailand’s case, the baht’s movement also coincides with a temporary pause in U.S. dollar selling. Investors are now awaiting new cues from the reopening U.S. financial markets. Tuesday’s trading also showed a split in foreign investor behavior. While overseas investors sold Thai stocks worth 2.19 billion baht, they increased their holdings in Thai bonds by 4.77 billion baht. This mixed sentiment reflects uncertainty in broader financial markets as traders wait for new triggers, particularly from the United States. For foreign visitors, a stronger baht means their home currency buys less when exchanged in Thailand. This could translate into higher daily costs for accommodation, dining, transportation, and shopping. Items such as gold jewelry, long considered a good-value souvenir in Thailand, are now significantly more expensive for many international buyers. Some tourists may find themselves adjusting travel plans or reducing spending to stay within budget. Analysts project that the baht could move within a range of 32.50 to 32.90 per U.S. dollar in the near term. Factors to watch include movements in global gold prices, international capital flows, developments in trade conflicts, and insights from the upcoming minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest meeting. While Thailand continues to offer strong tourism appeal, particularly in terms of culture and hospitality, the currency’s growing strength is a reminder that exchange rates remain a key part of the travel equation.