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.

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