Thailand: Differences in New and Old Series circulation coins

On left is the new 5 Baht coin and on right is the old series 5 Baht coin (Y#219) which has been in circulation since 1988.

The obvious differences seen in the new coin are:
* Weight is 6g compared to 7.5g for Y#219. It is much thinner.
* Triangular roof of the "Ubosot" is much more detailed
* Windows on either side have more finer details



For the 10 Baht coins, new series on left and old (Y#227 1988-2008) on right, noticable differences are:
* In new series coin, distance between numeral 1 and 0 on the Braille number 10 is more.
* Prang of Wat Arun has more details and is taller
* Inner brass ring does not have a raised border
* The waves on the river are thinner

Thailand: 5 Baht New Series Circulation coin dated 2009 issued

On 24 July I reported that newly released 5 Baht coins are minted in year 2008 but released into circulation in 2009 thereby having two different circulation coinage with same year (2008). Coins minted in year 2009 are now in circulation.

พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๒ = B.E. 2552 = 2009

Thailand: Banknote signature varieties

Since the Sep 2006 coup, Thailand has seen several changes in government resulting in 5 different Finance Ministers with short tenures. Below is a list of signature varieties seen in banknotes during the last 3 years.

Tarisa Watanagase was appointed as Governor of Bank of Thailand in Oct 2006 replacing Pridiyathorn Devakula who was made Finance Minister. Korn Chatikavanij is the current Finance Minister.





Sig 81

Sig 80

Sig 79

Sig 78

Sig 77

Thailand: New signature banknotes in circulation

20, 50, 100 and 1,000 Baht banknotes with signature 81 are in circulation. This variety has signatures of current Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij (กรณ์ จาติกวณิช) and Tarisa Watanagase (ธาริษา วัฒนเกส) as Governor of BOT.




Pictures below are for 20, 100 and 1,000 Baht notes.

Thailand: Circulation coins issued 100 years back (1909 AD)

100 years back during the reign of HM King Rama V, following decimal coins were issued.



Denomination: 1 Satang
Type: Decimal
Diameter: 22.5mm
Composition: Bronze
Edge: Plain
Description: Obv-Hole divides inscription, "Siamraj" on left and "Satang" on right Rev-RS Date above hole
Year issued: RS128 = BE2452 or 1909 (RS1 was 1782AD when Rattanakosin, present day Bangkok, became capital of Thailand)
KM#: Y#35


Denomination: 5 Satang
Type: Decimal
Diameter: 17.5mm
Composition: Nickel
Edge: Plain
Description: Obv-Hole divides inscription, "Siamraj" on left and "Satang" on right Rev-RS Date above hole
Year issued: RS128 = BE2452 or 1909 (RS1 was 1782AD when Rattanakosin, present day Bangkok, became capital of Thailand)
KM#: Y#36

Thailand: New commemorative coins announced

New bi-metallic 10 Baht coins will be issued during October 2009 to commemorate


1. 50 years of Office of National Research Council of Thailand (50 ปี สำนักงาน คณะกรรมการวิจัยแห่งชาติ)


2. 100 years of Command and General Staff College, Royal Thai Army (100 ปี โรงเรียนเสนาธิการหทารบก)

Thailand: 2nd set of New Series circulation coins released

New series circulation coins of denominations 1 Baht, 5 Baht and 10 Baht are now released. 5 and 10 Baht coins are minted in year 2008 but released into circulation in 2009 thereby having two different circulation coinage with same year. 1 Baht coinage are minted in 2009.

Apart from changes in image of HM King Rama IX on obverse and material composition, there are several differences in the old and new series coinage. I will cover these differences soon.

New series 1, 5 and 10 Satang coins are also released. These are very rarely seen in circulation.


Denomination: 1 Baht
Type: Circulation
Diameter: 20mm
Weight: 3g
Composition: Nickel clad steel
Edge: Reeded
Description: Obv-HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Rev-Wat Phrakaew temple - The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Date issued: 9 Jul 2009
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 52012


Denomination: 5 Baht
Type: Circulation
Diameter: 24mm
Weight: 6g
Composition: Cu 75% + Ni 25% + copper clad 99.5%
Edge: Reeded
Description: Obv-HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Rev-Wat Benjamabophit temple, Bangkok
Date issued: 1 Apr 2009
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 52010


Denomination: 10 Baht
Type: Circulation
Diameter: 26mm
Weight: 8.5g
Composition: Outer ring Cupro-Nickel (Cu 75% Ni 25%)Center Aluminium Bronze (Cu 92% Ni 2% Al 6%)
Edge: Segmented Reeding
Description: Obv-HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Rev-Wat Arun - Temple of the Dawn, Bangkok
Date issued: 1 Jun 2009
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 52009