Thailand: New Series 1 Baht Circulation Coin details

1 Baht coins account for 70% of the total 17 billion coins in circulation. To reduce production costs, new series coins made of Nickel-clad steel (rather than Cupro-nickel) were launched in Jul 2009. They are lighter by 0.4g as well.

The obverse has been updated with a more recent potrait of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The reverse has several noticeable differences as highlighted below.




On left is New Series and on right is older series (Y#183).


Thai and Arabic numeral:
Arabic number 1 is significantly taller than the Thai word for Baht "บาท". Thai number 1 (๑) also has a bigger starting head.



Chedi or Stupa:
Number of rings between the square base and the hemisperical dome in the new coins are one less than the older series.



Roof finials:
The Ubosot (ordination hall) roof finials have different lengths and distance separating them.

Thailand: 50 years of Office of National Research Council commemorative coin issued

Commemorative coin for 50 years of Office of National Research Council of Thailand (50 ปี สำนักงาน คณะกรรมการวิจัยแห่งชาติ) will be released on 18th August 2009.

Denomination: 10 Baht
Type: Commemorative
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-Planetory model of an atom within Dhammachakra (Wheel of Dhamma).
Date issued: 18 August 2009
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 52001

Laos: New Commemorative coins issued

Bank of Lao PDR have announced two proof coins to commemorate 100th birth anniversary of President Souphanouvong on 13th July. The coins were minted in Russia.





Denomination: 100,000 Kip
Diameter: 27mm
Composition: 0.999 Gold 0.5oz AGW
Date issued: 13 Jul 2009
KM#: NA





Denomination: 100,000 Kip
Diameter: 36.5mm
Composition: 0.925 Silver
Date issued: 13 Jul 2009
KM#: NA

Thailand: A new 20 Baht Circulation Coin?

Economy of Thailand is expected to contract 4.5% from last year. The Treasury Department of Thailand has reported that coin exchanges for banknotes have nearly doubled in recent months. More than 7 million coins were returned to the Treasury Department per month compared with 3-4 million in normal economic times. Coin usage shows more 10 Baht coins in the market. No official statement has been issued whether the new series 10 Baht coin will be minted in 2009 or not.

However, an article which appeared in Bangkok Post on 27th July mentioned that "One official said the Treasury Department had held discussions with the Bank of Thailand about introducing a 20-baht coin to substitute for 20-baht banknotes. Coins typically have a lifespan of 10 years in circulation, significantly longer than more fragile banknotes."


A 20 Baht circulation coin?


WOW. That would be one big and heavy coin to carry in one's wallet as in the past all 20 Baht commemorative coins have been made of Cupro-Nickel having a diameter of 32mm and weighing 15g.


Will keep you all posted with new developments on this interesting development. Full article can be found at the link below...

Thailand: Banknotes issued 60 years back

In 1949, Thailand had issued several banknotes of denomination 1, 5 and 10 Baht. These had signatures of Prince Vivathanachai as Minister of Finance and Leng Srisomwong as Governor, Bank of Thailand. Note that serial numbers had either Red (Type 1) or Black colour (Type 2).


1 Baht, Pick 69a, sig 28 (Banknote Series 9 Type 1)

5 Baht, Pick 70a, sig 28 (Banknote Series 9 Type 1)

5 Baht, Pick 70b, sig 28 (Banknote Series 9 Type 2)

10 Baht, Pick 71b, sig 28 (Banknote Series 9 Type 2)



Pictures courtesy Siambanknote.com where more details can also be found.