Brits flock to Thailand as baht popularity peaks

Thailand is proving to be a highly popular destination for Brits, as more pounds were exchanged for the local currency than Australian dollars last month.

British travellers are increasingly likely too book flights to Thailand this year, as International Currency Exchange (ICE) has reported that the country’s currency is at its most popular ever level.

Only the US dollar and the euro were more in demand in March, with the Thailand baht more regularly purchased than even the Australian dollar.

However, travellers are warned that their sterling won’t go as far in 2011, as the baht has risen against the pound by 1.67 per cent over the past year.

Instead, those looking for a great value break should consider Egypt, ICE suggests, as the local currency has fallen against the pound by 10.39 per cent year-on-year.

Joanna Williams, head of marketing at ICE, said: “Egypt has traditionally been a popular destination for Easter and there are now some bargains to be had in the key resorts as confidence returns.”

She added that many coastal resorts, such as Sharm El Sheikh, were relatively unaffected by the political unrest earlier this year.

Written by Alex Cochrane