Monday, March 12, 2018

New King Rama X Banknotes Unveiled

On 8 March 2018, Mr. Veerathai Santiprabhob, Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), announced that the BOT was granted royal permission from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (King Rama X) to print and issue the new series of Thai banknotes (Series 17) into circulation as the circulating banknotes.

King Rama X

The BOT was bestowed the issue dates as follows:
  • 20-Baht, 50-Baht and 100-Baht will be issued on Chakri Memorial Day, 6 April 2018.
  • 500-Baht and 1000-Baht will be issued on His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun’s birthday, 28 July 2018.

The front side of the banknote in all denominations depicts His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun in the Royal Thai Air Force uniform as the main portrait.

The reverse side of each denomination depicts the portraits of two Kings in order of reign, along with the images of their memorable royal duties.

To ensure smooth changeover; the sizes and the colors of the Series 17 remain the same as the Series 16. Most security features are retained in the new series; however, some of new advanced counterfeit deterrent features have been adopted as follows:
  • Security thread: located on the front side of the banknote. Extra moving effect is incorporated into the 100-Baht banknote security thread.
  • Vertical serial number: Roman alphabet with Arabic numerals are placed vertically.

The Series 17 banknote can be exchanged at any commercial bank, the Government Savings Bank, the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the Government Housing Bank, and the Islamic Bank of Thailand. The existing and the previous series remain legal tender.