Thai baht
Encyclopedia
The baht is the currency
of Thailand
. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand
.
, originated from a traditional unit of mass. Its currency value was originally expressed as that of silver of corresponding weight (now defined as fifteen grams), and was in use probably as early as the Sukhothai
period in the form of bullet coins known in Thai as phot duang . These were pieces of solid silver cast to various weights corresponding to a traditional system of units
related by simple fractions and multiples, one of which is the baht. These are listed in the following table:
The above system was in use up until 1897, when the decimal system devised by Prince Mahisorn
, in which one baht = 100 satang, was introduced by king Chulalongkorn
. However, coins denominated in the old units were issued until 1910, and the amount of twenty-five satang is still commonly referred to as a salueng, as is the twenty-five satang coin.
Until November 27, 1902, the baht was fixed on a purely silver basis, with 15 grams of silver to the baht. This caused the value of the currency to vary relative to currencies on a gold standard
. In 1857, the values of certain foreign silver coins were fixed in law, with the one baht = 0.6 Straits dollar
and five baht = seven Indian rupees. Before 1880 the exchange rate was fixed at eight baht per pound sterling
, falling to 10 to the pound during the 1880s.
In 1902, the government began to increase the value of the baht by following all increases in the value of silver against gold but not reducing it when the silver price fell. Beginning at 21.75 baht = one British pound, the currency rose in value until, in 1908, a fixed peg to the British pound was established of 13 baht = one pound. This was revised to 12 baht in 1919 and then, after a period of instability, to 11 baht in 1923. During World War II
, the baht was fixed at a value of one Japanese yen
.
From 1956 until 1973, the baht was pegged to the U.S. dollar
at an exchange rate of 20.8 baht = one dollar and at 20 baht = 1 dollar until 1978. A strengthening US economy caused Thailand to re-peg its currency at 25 to the dollar from 1984 until July 2, 1997, when the country was stung by the Asian financial crisis. The baht was floated
and halved in value, reaching its lowest rate of 56 to the dollar in January 1998. It has since risen to about 30 per dollar.
The baht was originally known to foreigners by the Malay/Portuguese term, tical, which was used in the English language
text on banknotes until 1925.
In 1860, modern style coins were introduced. These were silver 1 sik, 1 fuang, 1 and 2 salung, 1, 2 and 4 baht, with the baht weighing 15.244 grams and the others weight related. Tin 1 solot and 1 att followed in 1862, with gold 2½, 4 and 8 baht introduced in 1863 and copper 2 and 4 att in 1865. Copper replaced tin in the 1 solot and 1 att in 1874, with copper 4 att introduced in 1876. The last gold coins were struck in 1895.
In 1897, the first coins denominated in satang were introduced, cupronickel 2½, 5, 10 and 20 satang. However, 1 solot, 1 and 2 att coins were struck until 1905 and 1 fuang coins were struck until 1910. In 1908, holed 1, 5 and 10 satang coins were introduced, with the 1 satang in bronze and the 5 and 10 satang in nickel. The 1 and 2 salung were replaced by 25 and 50 satang coins in 1915. In 1937, holed, bronze ½ satang were issued.
In 1941, a series of silver coins was introduced in denominations of 5, 10 and 20 satang, due to a shortage of nickel caused by WWII
. The next year, tin coins were introduced for 1, 5 and 10 satang, followed by 20 satang in 1945 and 25 and 50 satang in 1946. In 1950, aluminium-bronze 5, 10, 25 and 50 satang were introduced whilst, in 1957, bronze 5 and 10 satang were issued, along with 1 baht coins struck in an unusual alloy of copper, nickel, silver and zinc. Several Thai coins were issued for many years without changing the date. These include the tin 1942 1 satang and the 1950 5 and 10 satang, struck until 1973, the tin 1946 25 satang struck until 1964, the tin 50 satang struck until 1957, and the aluminium bronze 1957 5, 10, 25 and 50 satang struck until the 1970s. Cupronickel 1 baht coins were introduced in 1962 and struck without date change until 1982.
In 1972, cupronickel 5 baht coins were introduced, switching to cupronickel-clad copper in 1977. Between 1986 and 1988, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of aluminium 1, 5 and 10 satang, aluminium-bronze 25 and 50 satang, cupronickel 1 baht, cupronickel-clad-copper 5 baht and bimetallic 10 baht. Cupronickel-clad-steel 2 baht were introduced in 2005.
In 2008, the Ministry of Finance
and the Royal Thai Mint announced the 2009 coin series, which included changes in materials to reduce production costs as well as an update of the image on the obverse to a more recent portrait of the King. The two-baht coin, confusingly similar in color and size to the one-baht coin, was changed from nickel-clad low-carbon steel to aluminium bronze
. New two-baht coin was the first of the new series released on February 3, 2009. Followed by satang coin in April, five-baht coin in May, ten-baht coin in June and one-baht coin in July 2009.
In February 2010 the Treasury Department of Thailand has stated that it is planning a new 20-Baht coin.
s and Indian rupee
s. Undated notes were also issued before 1868 for 5, 7, 8, 12 and 15 tamlung, and 1 chang. One att notes were issued in 1874.
In 1892, the Treasury issued notes for 1, 5, 10, 40, 80, 100, 400 and 800 ticals, called baht in the Thai text. On September 19, 1902, the government introduced notes for 5, 10, 20, 100 and 1000 ticals, with 1 and 50 tical notes following in 1918. In 1925, notes were issued with the denomination baht used in the English text, in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 100 and 1000 baht.
In 1942, the Bank of Thailand was founded and took over responsibility for the issuance of paper money. 50 baht notes were briefly reintroduced in 1945, with 50 satang notes issued in 1946. The one baht note was replaced by a coin in 1957 and the five baht was replaced in 1972. 50 baht notes were again reintroduced in 1985, with the 10 baht note replaced by a coin in 1988. The EURion constellation
has been used on the reverse of 100 and 1000 baht note since 2003. Older notes are occasionally still found in circulation, for example 10 baht notes, and these can usually be spent without problem. In any case, they can be exchanged for free in banks.
On July 27, 2010, the Bank of Thailand announced that the 16th series banknotes will enter circulation in December 2010.
as well as the general term for money
, reflecting the fact that the baht (or tical) is foremost a unit of weight
for precious metal
s and gemstone
s. One baht = 15.244 grams. Since the standard purity of Thai gold
is 96.5%, the actual gold content of one baht by weight is 15.244 × 0.965 = 14.71046 grams, or about 0.473 troy ounce
. 15.244 grams is used for bullion; in the case of jewellery
, 1 baht should be more than 15.16 grams.
Currency
In economics, currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply...
of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand
Bank of Thailand
- History :The Bank of Thailand was first set up as the Thai National Banking Bureau. The Bank of Thailand Act was promulgated on 28 April 1942 vesting upon the Bank of Thailand the responsibility for all central banking functions...
.
History
The baht, like the poundPound (currency)
The pound is a unit of currency in some nations. The term originated in England as the value of a pound of silver.The word pound is the English translation of the Latin word libra, which was the unit of account of the Roman Empire...
, originated from a traditional unit of mass. Its currency value was originally expressed as that of silver of corresponding weight (now defined as fifteen grams), and was in use probably as early as the Sukhothai
Sukhothai kingdom
The Sukhothai Kingdom ) was an early kingdom in the area around the city Sukhothai, in north central Thailand. The Kingdom existed from 1238 till 1438...
period in the form of bullet coins known in Thai as phot duang . These were pieces of solid silver cast to various weights corresponding to a traditional system of units
Thai units of measurement
Before metrication, the traditional system of measurement used in Thailand employed anthropic units. Some of these units are still in use, albeit standardised to SI/metric measurements. The square wa, ngan and rai are still used in measurements of land area, and the baht is still used as a unit of...
related by simple fractions and multiples, one of which is the baht. These are listed in the following table:
| Unit (RTGS RTGS RTGS may refer to:*Real Time Gross Settlement*Royal Thai General System of Transcription... ) |
Thai spelling | Relative value | Value relative to baht | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bia | เบี้ย | at | Bia is Thai for cowry Cowry Cowry, also sometimes spelled cowrie, plural cowries, is the common name for a group of small to large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries... , the shell of which was used as a trade medium of the same value. |
|
| Solot | โสฬส | fueang | Solot literally means sixteen, referring to the fractional amount relative to a fueang | |
| At | อัฐ | fueang | Likewise, at literally means eight. | |
| Sio/pai | เสี้ยว/ไพ | fueang | Sio means quarter. | |
| Sik | ซีก | fueang | Sik means half. | |
| Fueang | เฟื้อง | baht | ||
| Salueng | สลึง | baht | ||
| Mayon/mayong | มายน/มะยง | baht | ||
| Baht | บาท | 1 | ||
| Tamlueng | ตำลึง | 4 baht | 4 | Thai version of the tael Tael Tael can refer to any one of several weight measures of the Far East. Most commonly, it refers to the Chinese tael, a part of the Chinese system of weights and currency.... |
| Chang | ชั่ง | 20 tamleung | 80 | Thai version of the catty Catty The catty , symbol 斤, is a traditional Chinese unit of mass used across East and Southeast Asia, notably for weighing food and other groceries in some wet markets, street markets, and shops. Related units include the picul, equal to 100 catties, and the tael, which is of a catty. A stone is a... |
The above system was in use up until 1897, when the decimal system devised by Prince Mahisorn
Prince Mahisorn
align=right|Prince Mahisara Rajaharudaya, The Prince Mahisorn , is a son of King Mongkut, Rama IV, and his Royal Consort Huang. He was 13 years younger than his brother, Chulalongkorn, who would become Rama V...
, in which one baht = 100 satang, was introduced by king Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...
. However, coins denominated in the old units were issued until 1910, and the amount of twenty-five satang is still commonly referred to as a salueng, as is the twenty-five satang coin.
Until November 27, 1902, the baht was fixed on a purely silver basis, with 15 grams of silver to the baht. This caused the value of the currency to vary relative to currencies on a gold standard
Gold standard
The gold standard is a monetary system in which the standard economic unit of account is a fixed mass of gold. There are distinct kinds of gold standard...
. In 1857, the values of certain foreign silver coins were fixed in law, with the one baht = 0.6 Straits dollar
Straits dollar
The Straits dollar was the currency of the Straits Settlements from 1904 until 1939. At the same time, it was also used in the Federated Malay States, the Unfederated Malay States, Sarawak, Brunei, and British North Borneo.-History:...
and five baht = seven Indian rupees. Before 1880 the exchange rate was fixed at eight baht per pound sterling
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
, falling to 10 to the pound during the 1880s.
In 1902, the government began to increase the value of the baht by following all increases in the value of silver against gold but not reducing it when the silver price fell. Beginning at 21.75 baht = one British pound, the currency rose in value until, in 1908, a fixed peg to the British pound was established of 13 baht = one pound. This was revised to 12 baht in 1919 and then, after a period of instability, to 11 baht in 1923. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the baht was fixed at a value of one Japanese yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
.
From 1956 until 1973, the baht was pegged to the U.S. dollar
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
at an exchange rate of 20.8 baht = one dollar and at 20 baht = 1 dollar until 1978. A strengthening US economy caused Thailand to re-peg its currency at 25 to the dollar from 1984 until July 2, 1997, when the country was stung by the Asian financial crisis. The baht was floated
Floating exchange rate
A floating exchange rate or fluctuating exchange rate is a type of exchange rate regime wherein a currency's value is allowed to fluctuate according to the foreign exchange market. A currency that uses a floating exchange rate is known as a floating currency....
and halved in value, reaching its lowest rate of 56 to the dollar in January 1998. It has since risen to about 30 per dollar.
The baht was originally known to foreigners by the Malay/Portuguese term, tical, which was used in the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
text on banknotes until 1925.
Coins
Rama III (1824-1851) was the first king to consider the use of a flat coin. He did so not for the convenience of traders, but because he was disturbed that the creatures living in the cowry shells were killed. When he learned of the use of flat copper coins in Singapore in 1835, he contacted a Scottish trader, who had two types of experimental coins struck in England. However, the king rejected both designs. The name of the country put on these first coins was Muang Thai, not Siam Before 1860, Thailand did not produce coins using modern methods. Instead, a so-called "bullet" coinage was used, consisting of bars of metal, thicker in the middle, bent round to form a complete circle on which identifying marks were stamped. Denominations issued included , , , , , ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 4, 4½, 8, 10, 20, 40, and 80 baht in silver and , , , ½, 1, 1½, 2, and 4 baht in gold. 1 gold baht was generally worth 16 silver baht. Between 1858 and 1860, foreign trade coins were also stamped by the government for use in Thailand.In 1860, modern style coins were introduced. These were silver 1 sik, 1 fuang, 1 and 2 salung, 1, 2 and 4 baht, with the baht weighing 15.244 grams and the others weight related. Tin 1 solot and 1 att followed in 1862, with gold 2½, 4 and 8 baht introduced in 1863 and copper 2 and 4 att in 1865. Copper replaced tin in the 1 solot and 1 att in 1874, with copper 4 att introduced in 1876. The last gold coins were struck in 1895.
In 1897, the first coins denominated in satang were introduced, cupronickel 2½, 5, 10 and 20 satang. However, 1 solot, 1 and 2 att coins were struck until 1905 and 1 fuang coins were struck until 1910. In 1908, holed 1, 5 and 10 satang coins were introduced, with the 1 satang in bronze and the 5 and 10 satang in nickel. The 1 and 2 salung were replaced by 25 and 50 satang coins in 1915. In 1937, holed, bronze ½ satang were issued.
In 1941, a series of silver coins was introduced in denominations of 5, 10 and 20 satang, due to a shortage of nickel caused by WWII
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The next year, tin coins were introduced for 1, 5 and 10 satang, followed by 20 satang in 1945 and 25 and 50 satang in 1946. In 1950, aluminium-bronze 5, 10, 25 and 50 satang were introduced whilst, in 1957, bronze 5 and 10 satang were issued, along with 1 baht coins struck in an unusual alloy of copper, nickel, silver and zinc. Several Thai coins were issued for many years without changing the date. These include the tin 1942 1 satang and the 1950 5 and 10 satang, struck until 1973, the tin 1946 25 satang struck until 1964, the tin 50 satang struck until 1957, and the aluminium bronze 1957 5, 10, 25 and 50 satang struck until the 1970s. Cupronickel 1 baht coins were introduced in 1962 and struck without date change until 1982.
In 1972, cupronickel 5 baht coins were introduced, switching to cupronickel-clad copper in 1977. Between 1986 and 1988, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of aluminium 1, 5 and 10 satang, aluminium-bronze 25 and 50 satang, cupronickel 1 baht, cupronickel-clad-copper 5 baht and bimetallic 10 baht. Cupronickel-clad-steel 2 baht were introduced in 2005.
In 2008, the Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Finance (Thailand)
The Ministry of Finance of the Kingdom of Thailand is a Cabinet Ministry in the Government of Thailand. It is considered to be one of the country's most important Ministry...
and the Royal Thai Mint announced the 2009 coin series, which included changes in materials to reduce production costs as well as an update of the image on the obverse to a more recent portrait of the King. The two-baht coin, confusingly similar in color and size to the one-baht coin, was changed from nickel-clad low-carbon steel to aluminium bronze
Aluminium bronze
Aluminium bronze is a type of bronze in which aluminium is the main alloying metal added to copper, in contrast to standard bronze or brass...
. New two-baht coin was the first of the new series released on February 3, 2009. Followed by satang coin in April, five-baht coin in May, ten-baht coin in June and one-baht coin in July 2009.
| Circulating Coins http://www.treasury.go.th/template.php?selectedMenuIdx=5&targetURL=/currency/circulation_text.htm http://ecatalog.treasury.go.th/whatsnew/detail.php?id=176 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | Technical parameters | Description | Date of first minting | |||||
| Diameter | Mass | Composition | Obverse | Reverse | ||||
| 1 satang 1 | 15 mm | 0.5 g | 97.5 %Al Aluminium Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances.... , 2.5% Mg Magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Phrathat Haripunchai, Lamphun Lamphun Province Lamphun is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Mai, Lampang and Tak.-Geography:Lamphun is located in the river valley of the Ping River, surrounded by mountain chains.... |
1987 | ||
| 99% Aluminium Aluminium Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances.... |
2008 | |||||||
| 5 satang 1 | 16 mm | 0.6 g | 97.5 %Al Aluminium Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances.... , 2.5% Mg Magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole... |
Phra Pathom Chedi Phra Pathom Chedi Phra Pathom Chedi is the tallest stupa in the world with the height of . It is located in the town of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.The name Phra Pathom Chedi means Holy chedi of the beginning. The stupa at the location is first mentioned in Buddhist scriptures of the year 675, however archaeological... , Nakhon Pathom Nakhon Pathom Province Nakhon Pathom ) is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi... |
1987 | |||
| 16.5 mm | 99% Aluminium Aluminium Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances.... |
2008 | ||||||
| 10 satang 1 | 17.5 mm | 0.8 g | 97.5 %Al Aluminium Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances.... , 2.5% Mg Magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole... |
Phra That Choeng Chum Phra That Choeng Chum Phra That Choeng Chum a major and sacred religious monument of Sakon Nakhon Province, is enshrined at Wat Phra That Choeng Chum in town. Of rectangular shape, it is made of mortar and bricks with a height of 24 meters... , Sakon Nakhon Sakon Nakhon Province Sakon Nakhon is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin and Udon Thani... |
1987 | |||
| 99% Aluminium Aluminium Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances.... |
2008 | |||||||
| 25 satang | 16 mm | 1.9 g | Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze is a type of bronze in which aluminium is the main alloying metal added to copper, in contrast to standard bronze or brass... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Phra Mahathat, Nakhon Si Thammarat Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand... |
1987 | ||
| 16 mm | 1.9 g | Copper Copper Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish... -plated steel Steel Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Phra Mahathat, Nakhon Si Thammarat Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand... |
2008 | |||
| 50 satang | 18 mm | 2.4 g | Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze is a type of bronze in which aluminium is the main alloying metal added to copper, in contrast to standard bronze or brass... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although this is actually the name of the mountain it is located on. The temple is located 15 km from the city of Chiang Mai and is a sacred site to many Thai... , Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Province Chiang Mai is the second-largest province of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan State of Burma... |
1987 | ||
| 18 mm | 2.4 g | Copper Copper Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish... -plated steel Steel Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although this is actually the name of the mountain it is located on. The temple is located 15 km from the city of Chiang Mai and is a sacred site to many Thai... , Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Province Chiang Mai is the second-largest province of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan State of Burma... |
2008 | |||
| 1 baht | 20 mm | 3.4 g | Cupronickel Cupronickel Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Phra Kaew Wat Phra Kaew The Wat Phra Kaew is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is a "potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thai society". It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok , within the precincts of the Grand Palace.The main building is the central ubosoth, which... , Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... |
1986 | ||
| 3 g | Nickel Nickel Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile... -plated steel Steel Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten... |
2008 | ||||||
| 2 baht | 21.75 mm | 4.4 g | Nickel Nickel Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile... -plated low-carbon steel Steel Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Saket Wat Saket Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan is a Buddhist temple in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, Bangkok, Thailand.The temple dates back to Ayutthaya era, when it was called Wat Sakae. King Rama I renovated the temple and renamed it to Wat Saket.... , Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... |
2005 | ||
| 21.75 mm | 4 g | Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze is a type of bronze in which aluminium is the main alloying metal added to copper, in contrast to standard bronze or brass... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Saket Wat Saket Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan is a Buddhist temple in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, Bangkok, Thailand.The temple dates back to Ayutthaya era, when it was called Wat Sakae. King Rama I renovated the temple and renamed it to Wat Saket.... , Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... |
2008 | |||
| 5 baht | 24 mm | 7.5 g | Cupronickel Cupronickel Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater... clad copper Copper Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Benchamabophit Wat Benchamabophit Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is a Buddhist temple in the Dusit district of Bangkok, Thailand. Also known as the marble temple, it is one of Bangkok's most beautiful temples and a major tourist attraction... , Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... |
1988 | ||
| 6 g | 2008 | |||||||
| 10 baht | 26 mm | 8.5 g | Ring: Stainless steel Stainless steel In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass.... Center: Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze is a type of bronze in which aluminium is the main alloying metal added to copper, in contrast to standard bronze or brass... |
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
Wat Arun Wat Arun Wat Arun Rajwararam is a Buddhist temple in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The full name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan... , Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... |
1988 | ||
| 2008 | ||||||||
Remarks
- The 1, 5 and 10 satang are very rarely seen in circulation. Even though the satang-denominated coins are legal tenderLegal tenderLegal tender is a medium of payment allowed by law or recognized by a legal system to be valid for meeting a financial obligation. Paper currency is a common form of legal tender in many countries....
, small shops usually don't accept them anymore. - Older coins, some of which are still in circulation, only had Thai numeralsThai numeralsThai numerals constitute a numeral system of Thai number names for the Khmer numerals traditionally used in Thailand, also used for the more common Arabic numerals, and which follow the Hindu-Arabic numeral system.-Usage:...
, but newer designs also have Arabic numeralsArabic numeralsArabic numerals or Hindu numerals or Hindu-Arabic numerals or Indo-Arabic numerals are the ten digits . They are descended from the Hindu-Arabic numeral system developed by Indian mathematicians, in which a sequence of digits such as "975" is read as a numeral...
. - The standard-issue 10-baht coin has, at the 12 o'clock position on the reverse, raised dots corresponding to BrailleBrailleThe Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
cell dot 1 and dots 2-4-5, which correspond to the number 10. - 10-baht coins are very similar to 2–euro coinsEuro coinsThere are eight euro coin denominations, ranging from one cent to two euros . The coins first came into use in 2002. They have a common reverse, portraying a map of Europe, but each country in the eurozone has its own design on the obverse, which means that each coin has a variety of different...
in size, shape and weight, and are likewise bi-metallicBi-metallic coinsBi-metallic coins are coins consisting of more than one metal or alloy, generally arranged with an outer ring around a contrasting center. Common circulating examples include the €1, €2, British £2, Canadian $2, South African R5, Turkish 1 lira, and all Mexican coins of $1 or higher...
. Vending machineVending machineA vending machine is a machine which dispenses items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, consumer products and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts currency or credit into the machine....
s not equipped with up-to-date coin detectors might therefore accept them as €2 coins. - Many commemorative 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht coins have been made for special events. There also are 20, 50, 100 baht commemorative coins as well.
In February 2010 the Treasury Department of Thailand has stated that it is planning a new 20-Baht coin.
Banknotes
In 1851, the government issued notes for ⅛, ¼, ⅜, ½ and 1 tical, followed by 3, 4, 6 and 10 tamlung in 1853. After 1857, notes for 20 and 40 ticals were issued, also bearing their values in Straits dollarStraits dollar
The Straits dollar was the currency of the Straits Settlements from 1904 until 1939. At the same time, it was also used in the Federated Malay States, the Unfederated Malay States, Sarawak, Brunei, and British North Borneo.-History:...
s and Indian rupee
Indian rupee
The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
s. Undated notes were also issued before 1868 for 5, 7, 8, 12 and 15 tamlung, and 1 chang. One att notes were issued in 1874.
In 1892, the Treasury issued notes for 1, 5, 10, 40, 80, 100, 400 and 800 ticals, called baht in the Thai text. On September 19, 1902, the government introduced notes for 5, 10, 20, 100 and 1000 ticals, with 1 and 50 tical notes following in 1918. In 1925, notes were issued with the denomination baht used in the English text, in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 100 and 1000 baht.
In 1942, the Bank of Thailand was founded and took over responsibility for the issuance of paper money. 50 baht notes were briefly reintroduced in 1945, with 50 satang notes issued in 1946. The one baht note was replaced by a coin in 1957 and the five baht was replaced in 1972. 50 baht notes were again reintroduced in 1985, with the 10 baht note replaced by a coin in 1988. The EURion constellation
EURion constellation
The EURion constellation is a pattern of symbols found on a number of banknote designs worldwide since about 1996. It is added to help software detect the presence of a banknote in a digital image. Such software can then block the user from reproducing banknotes to prevent counterfeiting using...
has been used on the reverse of 100 and 1000 baht note since 2003. Older notes are occasionally still found in circulation, for example 10 baht notes, and these can usually be spent without problem. In any case, they can be exchanged for free in banks.
On July 27, 2010, the Bank of Thailand announced that the 16th series banknotes will enter circulation in December 2010.
- Images of banknotes have been removed lest they infringe copyright, but may be viewed at the Thai-language article linked in the margin.
| 15th series Banknotes http://www.bot.or.th/Thai/Banknotes/HistoryANdSeriesOfBanknotes/Pages/Current_Series_of_Banknotes.aspx | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | Dimensions | Main Colour | Description | Date of issue | |||
| Obverse | Reverse | ||||||
| 20 baht | 138 × 72 mm | Green | H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... in the uniform of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces |
H.M. King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) Ananda Mahidol Ananda Mahidol was the eighth monarch of Thailand under the House of Chakri. At the time he was recognized as king by the National Assembly, in March 1935, he was a nine-year-old boy living in Switzerland. He returned to Thailand in December 1945. Six months later, in June 1946, he was found shot... |
3 March 2003 | ||
| 50 baht | 144 × 72 mm | Blue | H.M. King Mongkut (Rama IV) Mongkut Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama IV, known in foreign countries as King Mongkut , was the fourth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851-1868... |
1 October 2004 | |||
| 100 baht | 150 × 72 mm | Red | H.M. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) Chulalongkorn Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam... |
21 October 2005 | |||
| 500 baht | 156 × 72 mm | Purple | H.M. King Nangklao (Rama III) | 1 August 2001 | |||
| 1000 baht | 162 × 72 mm | Brown | H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... |
25 November 2005 | |||
Commemorative notes
In addition to the banknotes currently in circulation (above) numerous commemorative notes have been issued:- 5 baht – 1969 – Date of the inauguration of the Note Printing Works, Bank of Thailand (commemorative text added to regular 5 baht notes)
- 10 baht – 1969 – Date of the inauguration of the Note Printing Works, Bank of Thailand (commemorative text added to regular 10 baht notes)
- 60 baht – 1987 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday
- 50 baht – 1990 – Princess Mother SrinagarindraSrinagarindraSrinagarindra was a member of the Thai Royal Family and was a member of House of Mahidol, which is descended from Chakri Dynasty, originated by Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, the Prince of Songkla, son of King Chulalongkorn...
's 90th birthday (commemorative text added to regular 50 baht notes) - 500 baht – 1990 – Princess Mother Srinagarindra's 90th birthday (commemorative text added to regular 500 baht notes)
- 1000 baht – 1992 – H.M. Queen SirikitSirikitSomdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat , is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand...
's 60th birthday (commemorative text added to regular 1000 baht notes) - 10 baht – 1996 – 120th anniversary of the ministry of finance (commemorative text added to regular 10 baht notes)
- 50 baht – 1996 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 50th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne (polymer note)
- 500 baht – 1996 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 50th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne (polymer note)
- 500 baht – 1996 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 50th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne (a different emblem)
- 1000 baht – 1999 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 72nd birthday (a different emblem)
- 50 baht – 2000 – H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej's and H.M. Queen Sirikit's 50th Anniversary of Royal Wedding
- 500,000 baht – 2000 – H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej's and H.M. Queen Sirikit's 50th Anniversary of Royal Wedding
- 100 baht – 2002 – The Centenary of Thai Banknotes
- 100 baht – 2004 – H.M. Queen Sirikit's 72nd Birthday
- 100 baht - 2005 - Centennial of the Abolition of Slavery in Thailand
- 60 baht – 2006 – H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne
- 16 baht – 2007 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday (1, 5, 10 baht)
- 100 baht – 2010 – H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary of Coronation Day and H.M. King's and H.M. Queen Sirikit's 60th Anniversary of Royal Wedding
- 100 baht - 2011 - H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 84th birthday
Money and unit of mass
์์Ngern (เงิน) is Thai for silverSilver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
as well as the general term for money
Money
Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
, reflecting the fact that the baht (or tical) is foremost a unit of weight
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
for precious metal
Precious metal
A precious metal is a rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value.Chemically, the precious metals are less reactive than most elements, have high lustre, are softer or more ductile, and have higher melting points than other metals...
s and gemstone
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
s. One baht = 15.244 grams. Since the standard purity of Thai gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
is 96.5%, the actual gold content of one baht by weight is 15.244 × 0.965 = 14.71046 grams, or about 0.473 troy ounce
Troy ounce
The troy ounce is a unit of imperial measure. In the present day it is most commonly used to gauge the weight of precious metals. One troy ounce is nowadays defined as exactly 0.0311034768 kg = 31.1034768 g. There are approximately 32.1507466 troy oz in 1 kg...
. 15.244 grams is used for bullion; in the case of jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
, 1 baht should be more than 15.16 grams.