Estimate conversions between LAK and major currencies
LAK – Lao Kip (₭)
USD – US Dollar ($)
THB – Thai Baht (฿)
CNY – Chinese Yuan (¥)
EUR – Euro (€)
JPY – Japanese Yen (¥)
VND – Vietnamese Dong (₫)
GBP – British Pound (£)
AUD – Australian Dollar ($)
LAK – Lao Kip (₭)
USD – US Dollar ($)
THB – Thai Baht (฿)
CNY – Chinese Yuan (¥)
EUR – Euro (€)
JPY – Japanese Yen (¥)
VND – Vietnamese Dong (₫)
GBP – British Pound (£)
AUD – Australian Dollar ($)
⇅ Swap Currencies
Enter the specific Buy/Sell rate from BCEL One app if known.
Converted Amount:
Understanding BCEL Exchange Rates
Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL) is the leading commercial bank in the Lao PDR. Understanding how to calculate exchange rates for the Lao Kip (LAK) against major currencies like the US Dollar (USD), Thai Baht (THB), and Chinese Yuan (CNY) is essential for locals, travelers, and businesses operating in Laos.
Note on Rate Volatility: The Lao Kip experiences fluctuations. The calculator above uses estimated market averages. For exact transactional rates, always refer to the BCEL One app or the digital display boards at BCEL branches.
How to Use This Calculator
This tool allows you to estimate currency conversions based on typical BCEL market conditions. While the bank publishes daily rates, the "street" rate and the official bank rate may differ. Here is how to interpret the inputs:
From/To Currency: Select the currency you hold and the currency you wish to acquire. The most common pairs are USD/LAK and THB/LAK.
Manual Exchange Rate: If you are standing in front of a BCEL counter or looking at the BCEL One app, enter the exact "Buy" or "Sell" rate shown for maximum accuracy.
Buying vs. Selling Rates
When reading a BCEL exchange rate table, it is crucial to know which column applies to you:
Term
Definition
When to use
Buying Rate
The rate at which BCEL buys foreign currency from you.
Use this when exchanging USD/THB to LAK.
Selling Rate
The rate at which BCEL sells foreign currency to you.
Use this when exchanging LAK to USD/THB.
Major Currency Pairs in Laos
The Lao economy is heavily dollarized and closely tied to the Thai economy. Consequently, the two most critical exchange rates watched by BCEL customers are:
USD to LAK: Used for large purchases, rent, and imported goods.
THB to LAK: Used for daily consumer goods, many of which are imported from Thailand.
Due to inflation, the value of LAK has changed significantly over recent years. Using a calculator helps ensure you are getting a fair rate whether you are transferring money via BCEL One or exchanging cash at a counter.
// Approximate baseline rates relative to 1 LAK (Inverse is easier to manage for storage)
// Values represent how many LAK = 1 Unit of Currency
// These are static ESTIMATES based on recent market trends.
var currencyRates = {
'LAK': 1,
'USD': 22250, // 1 USD = 22,250 LAK
'THB': 645, // 1 THB = 645 LAK
'CNY': 3080, // 1 CNY = 3,080 LAK
'EUR': 24100, // 1 EUR = 24,100 LAK
'JPY': 149, // 1 JPY = 149 LAK
'VND': 0.91, // 1 VND = 0.91 LAK
'GBP': 28200, // 1 GBP = 28,200 LAK
'AUD': 14600 // 1 AUD = 14,600 LAK
};
var currencySymbols = {
'LAK': '₭',
'USD': '$',
'THB': '฿',
'CNY': '¥',
'EUR': '€',
'JPY': '¥',
'VND': '₫',
'GBP': '£',
'AUD': '$'
};
function swapCurrencies() {
var fromSelect = document.getElementById('fromCurrency');
var toSelect = document.getElementById('toCurrency');
var temp = fromSelect.value;
fromSelect.value = toSelect.value;
toSelect.value = temp;
// Hide result to encourage re-calculation
document.getElementById('resultBox').style.display = 'none';
}
function calculateExchange() {
var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('amount').value);
var fromCurr = document.getElementById('fromCurrency').value;
var toCurr = document.getElementById('toCurrency').value;
var manualRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('rateOverride').value);
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var resultValue = document.getElementById('resultValue');
var conversionDetail = document.getElementById('conversionDetail');
var rateInfo = document.getElementById('rateInfo');
// Validation
if (isNaN(amount) || amount LAK -> To
// If Manual Rate is provided, we assume it is the direct conversion rate From -> To
if (!isNaN(manualRate) && manualRate > 0) {
finalResult = amount * manualRate;
effectiveRate = manualRate;
isManual = true;
} else {
// Standard Calculation using stored LAK baselines
var rateFromToLAK = currencyRates[fromCurr];
var rateToToLAK = currencyRates[toCurr];
// Convert input to LAK first
var valueInLAK = amount * rateFromToLAK;
// Convert LAK to target currency
finalResult = valueInLAK / rateToToLAK;
// Calculate the effective direct rate for display
effectiveRate = rateFromToLAK / rateToToLAK;
}
// Display Results
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
// Format numbers
var formattedResult = finalResult.toLocaleString(undefined, {
minimumFractionDigits: 2,
maximumFractionDigits: 2
});
var formattedAmount = amount.toLocaleString();
resultValue.innerHTML = currencySymbols[toCurr] + " " + formattedResult;
conversionDetail.innerHTML = formattedAmount + " " + fromCurr + " = " + formattedResult + " " + toCurr;
if (isManual) {
rateInfo.innerHTML = "Based on your manual rate: 1 " + fromCurr + " = " + effectiveRate + " " + toCurr;
} else {
// Adjust rate display precision
var displayRate = effectiveRate < 0.01 ? effectiveRate.toFixed(6) : effectiveRate.toFixed(4);
rateInfo.innerHTML = "Estimated Rate: 1 " + fromCurr + " = " + displayRate + " " + toCurr;
}
}