southeast asia: Thailand

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...Thailand - 2025 100 Baht 150th Year of Ministry of Finance Commemorative Banknote

ราชอาณาจักรไทย

(Kingdom of Thailand)

Bank of Thailand, Est.1942

(ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย)

Currency : Baht (THB)

Here I have posted a commemorative banknote of 100 baht, together with a 50 baht coin, celebrating the 150th year of the establishment of the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry of Finance of Thailand (MOF) was established on 14 April 1875. The MOF is a cabinet ministry responsible for overseeing Thailand's public finance, including taxation, the treasury, government properties and state-owned enterprises. In addition to these, it is also responsible for regulating the financial sector, providing loan guarantees and ensuring the government's financial stability.

According to the Bank of Thailand's website, this note was issued on 1st April 2025.

The design for this note, both front and back is the same as the current series (17th), first issued in 2017.

One Hundred Baht

Front - The designs on the front are the same as the current series of the 100 baht note. The portrait of the current King of Thailand, King Rama X in his Air Force Marshal uniform. At the bottom of the note, the following commemorative text inscription in Thai are printed: -

๑๕0 ปี กระทรวงการคลัง วันที ๑๔ เมษายน พุทธศักราช ๒๕๖๘

"150th year of the Ministry of Finance, April 14, 2025"

Signatures

Minister of Finance - Pichai Chunhavajira

Governor - Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput

Date - April 14, 2025

Watermark - King Rama X and electrotype 100

Size - 150.5mm x 72.5mm

Back - King Rama V; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua (reigned 1868-1910) [son of Rama IV] and King Rama VI; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Maha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua (reigned 1910-1925) [son of Rama V].

King Rama V (b.1853-1910) was known as King of Chulalongkorn the Great, and the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty. He became the King of Siam at a very young age of 15. He inherited the Thai's throne following the death of his father, King Rama IV.

King Rama VI (b.1881-1925) was the son of King Rama V. He was only the King of Siam for 18 years and died at the young age of 44 due to illness. While he had four wives during his lifetime, he only managed to produce a daughter, and she was born 2 hours before his death. He was succeeded by his brother, Parajadhipok, who went on to become King Rama VII(b.1893-1941). King Rama VI is best known for his efforts to create and promote Siamese nationalism. He also founded the country's first university, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

In addition to the single note, the bank also issued this note in a seal folder together with a brilliant uncirculated 50 baht coin. Unfortunately, I have no information as to how many of such limited edition folders were issued nor do I know what the issued price was.

...Thailand - 2022 Full Set Of Five Notes

ราชอาณาจักรไทย

(Kingdom of Thailand)

Bank of Thailand, Est.1942

(ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย)

Currency : Baht (THB)

Here is a full set of five banknotes. These notes belong to the 17 Series, which was first introduced in 2017 and 2018. Since then, there were few reprints issued but not in full sets. The below notes were reportedly released in (nd)2022 and I believe these are the only full sets issued since these were first introduced in 2017. The 20 baht note has since been replaced by a polymer series, whilst the rest are still printed on paper materials.

The designs on the front are all the same, with the portrait of the current King of Thailand, King Rama X in his Air Force Marshal uniform. On the back, from 20 baht to 1000 baht, there are printed with two portraits of the Thai Kings, representing the Chakri Dynasty since 1782. Needless to say, the current King appears twice on the 1000 baht, both front and back.

Signatures

Minister of Finance - Arkhom Termpittayapaisith (tenure 2020-2023)

Governor - Dr Sethaput Suthiwartnaruepu (tenure 2020-2025)

Twenty Baht

Front - Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun

Watermarks - King and electrotype 20

Dimensions - 139mm x 72.5mm

Back - The first Chakri dynasty king, King Rama I; Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok (1782-1809) & King Rama II; Phra Phutthaloetla Naphalai (1809-1824) [son of Rama I]

Fifty Baht

Watermarks - King and electrotype 50

Dimensions - 145mm x 73mm

Back - King Rama III; Nangklao (1824-1851) [son of Rama II] & King Rama IV; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Maha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua (1851-1868) [son of Rama II]

One Hundred Baht

Watermarks - King and electrotype 100

Dimensions - 151mm x 73mm

Back - King Rama V; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua (1868-1910) [son of Rama IV] & King Rama VI; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Maha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua (1910-1925) [son of Rama V]

Five Hundred Baht

Watermarks - King and electrotype 500

Dimensions - 157mm x 72.5mm

Back - King Rama VII; Somdet Chaofa Prajadhipok Sakdidej (1925-1935) [son of Rama V] & King Rama VIII; Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946 suicide/murdered aged 20) [grandson of Rama V];

One Thousand Baht

Watermarks - King and electrotype 1000

Dimensions - 163mm x 73mm

Back - King Rama IX; Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946-2016) [grandson of Rama V] & King Rama X; Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (since 13.10.2016) [son of Rama IX].

...Thailand - 100 Baht 2024 Commemorative 72nd Birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Polymer Note

ราชอาณาจักรไทย

(Kingdom of Thailand)

Bank of Thailand, Est.1942

(ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย)

Currency : Baht (THB)

This is a commemorative note issued to commemorate the King of Thailand's King Rama X's 6th Cycle (72nd birthday) birthday celebration.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X) was born on 28.07.1952. This commemorative note was released on 23.07.2024, 5 days before the King's birthday.

A total of 10 millions pieces have been issued with 2 million special brochures printed and sold at 10 baht each. All proceeds from the sale of the folders (without the note) are to be presented to the King at his discretion. The folder is measured at 130mm x 204mm. This banknote is printed on Polymer substrate material.

One Hundred Baht

Front - A portrait of King Rama X in full Regalia with the Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao breast chain. King Rama X was born Vajiralongkorn on 28.07.1952. He was the only son of the late King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej. King Rama X ascended to the Thai's throne on 13.10.2016 at the age of 64 years old, following the death of his father King Rama IX. The Emblem of Thailand, the Garuda (the mount of Lord Vishnu) is printed on the top right hand corner as a see-through feature. The Garuda is a birdlike mythological beast of the Hindu and Buddhist tradition. A Garuda is a large hybrid half-man and half-bird creature. An octagon see-through window is printed below the Coat of Arms. This octagon is embossed with a tiny bullet-wood flower to assist with those vision impaired. On the top left corner is the royal emblem for the Auspicious Occasion of the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.

Minister of Finance - Srettha Thavisin

Governor - Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput

Quantity Issued - 10 million pieces

Folder - 2 million units

Printer - Bank of Thailand Note Printing Works

Dimensions - 90mm x 164mm

Back - King Rama X standing in full Regalia with the Ancient and Auspicious order of the nine gems, the Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao breast chain and with a ceremonial sword in his left hand. A Four-leaf squared flower perfect registrar feature is printed on the same location on both sides (back - on the bottom right corner; front - bottom left corner) which can be seen when held up against the light. On the bottom, the following Thai text are printed on the note: -

ที่ระลึกเฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว เนื่องในโอกาสพระราชพิธีมหามงคลเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา ๖ รอบ ๒๘ กรกฎาคม ๒๕๖๗

<Souvenirs in honor of His Majesty the King On the occasion of the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, 28 July 2024>.

One Hundred Baht

This is a replacement note printed with the prefix of ๙พ. Apart from the denomination value of 100, this note is printed entirely in Thai's text. All modern Thai baht notes issued for general circulation, and including those previous commemorative notes issued are printed with Arabic numerals for the serial numbers. For this issue, it's all in Thai's writing.

This note is printed by Bank of Thailand Note Printing Works in Bangkok, Thailand.

...Thailand - 20 Baht ND2022 Polymer Series

ราชอาณาจักรไทย

(Kingdom of Thailand)

Bank of Thailand

(ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย)

Currency : Baht (THB)

After an absence of 20 years, the Bank of Thailand has re introduced a polymer note of 20 baht and was released for circulation on 24.03.2022. In 1996, the central bank released 50 and 500 baht commemorative polymer notes, celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej to the throne. The bank then went on and issued the 50 baht polymer note for circulation and then ceased printing them in 2002. At the moment, the lowest denomination for a banknote is 20 baht. This new release will replace the current paper banknotes in circulation eventually.

The design for the new 20 baht is the same as the last paper note, issued in 2018, except that it added two see-through windows to the note.

Twenty Baht (Safeguard)

King Maha Vajiralongkorn

Front - Portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) in military uniform. He ascended to the throne in 2016 following the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej or Rama IX (b.1927-2016).

Signatures

Minister of Finance - Arkhom Termpittayapaisith

Governor - Dr Sethepul Suthiwartnarueput

Dimensions - 138mm x 72mm

Back - Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke or Rama I (b.1737-1809) and to his left is Pharabat Somdet Phra Putthaloetla Naphalao (b.1767-1824) or Rama II. Rama I reigned from 1782 to 1809 and he was succeeded by his son Rama II following his death at the age of 72. Rama I was the founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, and was the first monarch of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. Rama II only reigned for 15 years, and died suddenly at the age of 57. Some believed that he was poisoned. He was succeeded by his elder half brother Phra Bat Somdet Phra Nangkloa Chao Yu Hua or Rama III (b.1788-1851).

Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke (b.1737-1809) and Pharabat Somdet Phra Putthaloetla Naphalao (b.1767-1824)

Twenty Baht (Guardian)

King Maha Vajiralongkorn

Dimensions - 138.5mm x 72.5mm

Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke (b.1737-1809) and Pharabat Somdet Phra Putthaloetla Naphalao (b.1767-1824)

Safeguard

Guardian

...Thailand - 100 & 1000 Baht Commemorating the First Anniversary of the Coronation of King Rama X ND2020

ประเทศไทย

(Thailand)

ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย

(Bank of Thailand, Established 1942)

Currency - Baht (THB)

On 27.11.2020, the central bank of Thailand announced the release of two new commemorative banknotes of 100 and 1000 baht. These two new notes were released to the public on 12.12.2020, celebrating the first anniversary of the Coronation of the Thai King, King Rama X. A total of 20 million pieces were issued for the 100 baht denomination and 10 million pieces for the 1000 baht value. These notes were issued for general circulation in Thailand.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun was born on 28.07.1952. He became the King of Thailand following the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama lX) on 13.10.2016. The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej reigned Thailand for more than 70 years from 1946 until his death in 2016. Whilst King Rama X became the King of Thailand in 2016, he was not crowned until on 04.05.2019 almost 3 years after the death of his father. King Rama X was the only son of King Rama lX and was made the crown prince by his father when he was 20 years old in 1972. King Rama X is the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, since it was founded in 1782. The Thai monarchy goes back as far as 1238.

The size of this new 100 baht commemorative is the same as the current 100 bath, however the colour for this new note is printed in yellow instead of pinkish-red like those current notes in circulation. The design on the front of this note depicts King Rama X in military uniform. King Rama X is also the Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. On the back it features images of the Royal Coronation Ceremony in 2019 and the King reading a speech. If I am not mistaken, standing next to the King is Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalak (born Suthida Tidjai).

The design for the 1000 baht is completely new and it is printed in a vertical format. Like the 100 baht note, it is also printed predominately in yellow-brownish. On the front it features the King in full Thai traditional ceremony uniform and on the back it also features the Royal Coronation Ceremony in 2019. In my opinion, this 1000 baht note is a large size note.

Both banknotes are predominately printed in gold or yellow which is also the Thai royal colour.

Thai's banknotes are one of the few banknotes issued around the world that do not have any western texts printed on the front or back, except the letter prefix. Despite this, Thai's banknotes can be easily identified as all modern banknotes are printed with the portrait of the King.

Dimensions

100 baht - 150mm x 72mm

1000 baht - 181mm x 127mm

One Hundred Baht

nd2020, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun

Reverse - Royal Coronation Ceremony in 2019

One Thousand Baht

nd2020, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun

Reverse - Royal Coronation Ceremony in 2019

.Footnote👌

Like those banknotes issued with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth the Second, the images used are also younger than her current age when they are issued and I believe it is the same here for the portrait of King Rama X. The King was born in 1952 and will be 69 years old in 2021. The portrait on the notes looks more like in his late 40s or early 50s. I can never understand why they do use their present age/look when it comes to printing them on a banknote.

As I do not read Thai, if any readers know who the signatures are and can share the information would be great. The current bank governor is Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput who was appointed on 01.10.2020 for 5 years. The previous bank governor was Veerathai Santiprabhob who finished up his role on 30.09.2020. As this note was released on 27.11.2020, I can tell who signed on these two notes. Based on previous issues, prior to 01.10.2020, I believe the governor's signature is Veerathai Santiprabhob which is expected as printing of new banknotes requires time to plan and manufacture and this can take up to a year or even longer.

...Thailand - 2018 Chakri Dynasty Series Reprints

ราชอาณาจักรไทย

Kingdom of Thailand

(Bank of Thailand)

These are three reprints of Thailand's 17 series of notes first issued on 06/04/2018. Whilst the designs are the same as those issued earlier, these notes are all printed with new warning messages for banknotes counterfeiting on the back. The new warning text is much shorter than the first print. Thailand is one of the very few countries where all texts are still printed in Thai. The new warning text for these three notes are also the same as the two Chakri Dynasty series 500 and 1000 baht issued on 28/07/2018. The signatures on these 3 reprint notes are also the same as those previously issued. So, were those issued in April 2018 considered as errors? If not, why did the Bank of Thailand replace these 3 notes so soon?

First print

Second print (see below)

Twenty Baht

ND2018

Reverse

Fifty Baht

ND2018

Reverse

One Hundred Baht

ND2018

Reverse

...Thailand - 2018 Chakri Dynasty Series

ราชอาณาจักรไทย

Kingdom of Thailand

A new series of Thai baht with the new portrait of the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn or King Rama X who succeeded to the throne following the death of his father King Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adulyadej) on 13th October 2016.

This is the 17th Series of Thai banknotes and as expected, all notes depict the new portrait of King Rama X in his Air Force Marshal uniform on the front. On the back, from the 50 baht to 1000 baht, there are two portraits of the Thai Kings printed on each note, representing the Chakri Dynasty since 1782. Needless to say, the current King appears twice on the 1000 baht, both front and back;-

The portraits on the back of the notes are: -
*20 baht - The first Chakri dynasty king, King Rama I; Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok (1782-1809) & King Rama II; Phra Phutthaloetla Naphalai (1809-1824) [son of Rama I];
*50 baht - King Rama III; Nangklao (1824-1851) [son of Rama II] & King Rama IV; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Maha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua (1851-1868) [son of Rama II];
*100 bath - King Rama V; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua (1868-1910) [son of Rama IV] & King Rama VI; Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Maha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua (1910-1925) [son of Rama V];
*500 bath - King Rama VII; Somdet Chaofa Prajadhipok Sakdidej (1925-1935) [son of Rama V] & King Rama VIII; Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946 suicide/murdered aged 20) [grandson of Rama V];
*1000 bath - King Rama IX; Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946-2016) [grandson of Rama V] & King Rama X; Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (since 13.10.2016) [son of Rama IX].

The 20, 50 and 100 baht banknotes were issued on 06.04.2018, which marked Chakri Memorial Day in commemoration of the Chakri Dynasty which was established since 1782, while the 500 and 1,000 baht notes were issued on 28.07.2018, which marked the current King Rama X's birthday anniversary.

In view of the above, I have listed these 5 banknotes as commemorative issues as well. This is a unique issue for Thailand as the designs incorporated all Kings, past and present for the Chakri Dynasty since it was founded in 1782. It should also be noted that Thailand is the only country in SouthEast Asia that has never been colonised by any western power. However Thailand was briefly occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War between 1941 to 1945.

Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob

Twenty Baht

ND2018

Reverse

Fifty Baht

ND2018

Reverse

One Hundred Baht

ND2018

Reverse

Five Hundred Baht

ND2018

Reverse

One Thousand Baht

ND2018

Reverse

...Thailand - 2017 A Tribute To The Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama lX)

This is a set of five Commemorative notes issued on 20.09.2017 with denominations from 20 Baht to 1000 Baht. The purpose of this issue was to pay tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's life achievement from a very early age until his death. In another word, it tells the life story of the former Thai King. King Bhumibol Adulyadej who passed away on 13.10.2016, aged 88, after more than 70 years sitting on the Thai throne (from 09.06.1946).

The designs on the front of the notes are the same as the current 16th series, whilst on the back, each note is depicting the image and story of his achievement and his life from his early age as King.

Twenty Baht