Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation

Bank of Thailand (BOT) regulates foreign exchange transactions against Thai baht between onshore financial institutions and non-residents to maintain Thai Baht stability.

Objectives and Principle

To maintain Thai Baht stability by limiting non-residents’ transactions in Thai Baht undertaken with onshore financial institutions without underlying trade and investment

 

Definition of Non-resident (NR)

 

Non-resident (NR) means

  • Corporations, institutions, funds, financial institutions or juristic persons located outside Thailand
  • Entities of foreign governments located outside Thailand​
  • Branches and agents of domestic juristic persons located outside Thailand
  • Natural persons not of Thai nationality and not having alien identity or residence permits

 

However, non-residents exclude:

  • Thai embassies, Thai consulates or other entities of Thai government located outside Thailand
  • Foreign embassies, foreign consulates, specialized agencies of the United Nations, international organizations, or institutions (both financial and non-financial) located in Thailand
  • Branches and agents of foreign juristic persons located in Thailand

Summary of Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation

Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation comprise of four sub-measures.

1. Measures to Limit Thai Baht Liquidity

Onshore FIs provide THB liquidity or undertake transactions comparable to THB lending to non-residents (NRs)

• With underlying: The outstanding balance of each transaction shall not exceed the underlying value. 

• Without underlying: The total outstanding balance of transactions shall not exceed 200 million Baht per group of NR. (by each FI)

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2. Measures to Curb Capital Inflows

Onshore FIs borrow THB or undertake transactions comparable to THB borrowing from NRs

• With underlying: The outstanding balance of each transaction shall not exceed the underlying value. 

• Without underlying: The total outstanding balance of transactions shall not exceed 10 million Baht per group of NR. (by each FI)

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3. Measures on NRBA account and NRBS account

Onshore FIs shall monitor NRBA account and NRBS account

• Outstanding balance: The end-of-day outstanding limit for each type of account shall not exceed 200 million Baht per NR which includes balances across all NRBA or NRBS accounts opened with onshore FIs.

• Interest Payment: FIs shall refrain from paying interests to each account except for the fixed NRBA account with maturities of 6 months or over.

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4. Measures on Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF)

Onshore FIs are not allowed to undertake NDF transactions against THB with NRs.

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Further relaxation of the NRQC scheme (Effective from 26 September 2023)

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Relaxation of Foreign Regulations Under the Non-resident Qualified Company Scheme (5 January 2021)

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Relaxation of Rules under the Measure to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation to alleviate the impacts of the COVID-19 situation (1 April 2020) updated on 19 January 2021

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Related BOT's Circulars

  • BOT.FPD.(33) C.643/2566

    Relaxation of Measure to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation for Non-resident Qualified Company (NRQC) (Eng Version)

    Dated 25 September 2023

    Dated 25 September 2023

  • BOT.FPD.(21) C.3/2564

    Reduction in Outstanding Balance Limits of Thai Baht Liquidity Provided by Onshore Financial Institutions under the Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation (Thai Version)

    Dated 5 January 2021

    Dated 5 January 2021

  • BOT.FPD.(21) C.1035/2562

    Reduction in Outstanding Balance Limits of Non-Resident Baht Accounts Under the Measure to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation (Thai Version)

    Dated 12 July 2019

    Dated 12 July 2019

  • BOT.FPD.(21) C.856/2560

    Changes on Reporting Requirement under Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation for Bank and Finance Company (Thai Version)

    Dated 2 June 2017

    Dated 2 June 2017

  • BOT.FPD.(21) C.834/2560

    Changes on Rules and Practices under the Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation (Thai Version)

    Dated 31 May 2017

    Dated 31 May 2017

Guidelines for Financial Institution

  • 1. Relaxation of Rules under the Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation (1 April 2020) Updated 19 January 2021

  • 2. Summary of Regulations on the Measures to Prevent Thai Baht Speculation (Eng Version) (updated May 2021)