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

Thailand: 1st set of New Series circulation coins released

After many years of circulation, the Tresury department of Thailand has released new coins of denominations 25 Satang, 50 Satang and 2 Baht. Basic changes are in material composition to reduce costs. Coins are minted in year 2008 but released into circulation in 2009 thereby having two different circulation coinage with same year.

New series coins of 1 Baht, 5 Baht and 10 Baht will soon be released in circulation.



Denomination: 25 Satang
Type: Circulation
Diameter: 16mm
Weight: 1.9g
Composition: Copper clad steel
Edge: Reeded
Description: Obv-HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Rev-Wat Mahathat temple, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Date issued: 27 Feb 2009
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: NA



Denomination: 50 Satang
Type: Circulation
Diameter: 18mm
Weight: 2.4g
Composition: Copper clad steel
Edge: Reeded
Description: Obv-HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Rev-Wat Doi Suthep temple, Chiangmai
Date issued: 4 Mar 2009
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: NA



Denomination: 2 Baht
Type: Circulation
Diameter: 21.75mm
Weight: 4g
Composition: Aluminium Bronze (Cu 92% Ni 2% Al 6%)
Edge: Segmented Reeding
Description: Obv-HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Rev-Wat Saket temple, Bangkok
Date issued: 3 Feb 2009
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 52011

Thailand: 125 years Thai Postal Service commemorative coin issued

Thai Postal service was established 4 Aug 1883 during the reign of HM King Rama V. A 10 Baht bi-metallic coin has been issued to commemorate 125 years of postal service in Thailand.

Commemorative coin
125th anniversary of Postal service
125 ปี ไปรษณีย์ไทย



Denomination: 20 Baht
Diameter: 26mm
Weight: 8.5
Composition: Outer ring Cupro-Nickel (Cu 75% Ni 25%)Center Aluminium Bronze (Cu 92% Ni 2% Al 6%)
Edge: Segmented Reeding
Description: Obv - Conjoined busts of HM Kings Rama V and Rama IX Rev -
Date issued: 16 Jan 09
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 51017

Thailand: Princess Mother 9th Cycle Birthday commemorative coin issued

Six different coins for three denominations have been issued to mark the 9th cycle (108th) birthday of Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani 21 Oct 1900 – 18 Jul 1995). Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani or simply HRH Princess Mother was mother of two kings of Thailand, HM King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

The three denominations are cupro-nickel 20 Baht, silver 800 Baht and gold 16,000 Baht. All three denominations come with 2 varieties – standard and polished (proof) making it a total of 6 different coins.

Commemorative coin
108th (9th cycle) Birthday - Princess Mother
108 พรรษา (9 รอบ) สมเด็จย่า


Denomination: 20 Baht
Diameter: 32mm
Weight: 15g
Composition: Cupro-Nickel (Cu 75% Ni 25%)
Edge: Segmented Reeding
Description: Obv - Bust of Princess Mother Rev - Insignia of Princess Mother
Date issued: 16 Jan 09
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 51033


Denomination: 800 Baht
Diameter: 35mm
Weight: 22g
Composition: 0.925 Silver 0.659 oz. ASW
Edge: Segmented Reeding
Description: Obv - Bust of Princess Mother Rev - Insignia of Princess Mother Date issued: 16 Jan 09
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 51031


Denomination: 16,000 Baht
Diameter: 26mm
Weight: 15g
Composition: 0.9 Gold 0.434 oz. AGW
Edge: Segmented Reeding
Description: Obv - Bust of Princess Mother Rev - Insignia of Princess Mother
Date issued: 16 Jan 09
KM#: NA
Catalog Nr.: 51029

Thailand: New signature banknotes in circulation

20, 100 and 1000 Baht banknotes with signature 80 are in circulation. This variety has signatures of Suchart Tadatamrongwet (สุชาติ ธาดาธำรงเวช) as Finance Minister and Tarisa Watanagase (ธาริษา วัฒนเกส) as Governor of BOT. Suchart Tadatamrongwet served between 24 Sep 08 and 19 Dec 08 which is one of the shortest term for a Finance Minister in Thai history.