The first series of circulating banknotes to be printed during the reign of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun will debut with three denominations on Chakri Memorial Day, April 6.
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) yesterday unveiled samples of new banknotes marking the reign of King Rama X. The first banknotes bearing His Majesty's image will be available on April 6, in three denominations: 20, 50 and 100 baht. The 500- and 1,000-baht notes will be launched on July 28. photos by the BoT
The denominations are 20-, 50- and 100-baht notes, Bank of Thailand governor Veerathai Santipraphob said, adding the 500- and 1,000-baht-denominated banknotes will be in circulation on the birthday of His Majesty, which falls on July 28.
The front side of the banknotes depicts His Majesty wearing a Royal Thai Air Force uniform as the main portrait. The reverse side depicts portraits of two former kings in order of reign, along with images showing their royal duties.
The size and colour of the notes will remain the same as those currently in circulation to ensure a smooth changeover, he said.
Most security features are retained in the new series. A security thread is located on the front side of each note while a new moving effect is being incorporated into the 100-baht note security thread.
The Roman alphabet with Arabic numerals is placed vertically.
Mr Veerathai said that notes currently circulating can still be used as normal.
The new banknotes can be exchanged at any commercial bank. The same is true for state-owned banks like the Government Savings Bank, the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, GH Bank, and the Islamic Bank of Thailand.
Earlier, a source at the Finance Ministry said the first coins minted under His Majesty's reign are expected to be launched next month.
The new coins comprise nine denominations: 10 baht, 5 baht, 2 baht, 1 baht, 50 satang, 25 satang, 10 satang, 5 satang and 1 satang. Those valued at less than 25 satang will be used for bank account settlements.
On Sept 20 last year, the last series of banknotes commemorating the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was printed. They were printed for circulation but some people collected them as the 20-, 50-, 100-, 500- and 1,000-baht denominations feature pictures of the late King at different ages.