Exchange Currency
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang (สตางค์). The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.
The Burmese ruled the kingdom from 1569-1574 and again from 1767-1768. The Kingdom of Krung Thep was founded on April 6, 1782 when the capital was moved from Ayutthaya to Bangkok and General Chakri made himself the first king of the Bangkok dynasty, Rama I. Both gold and silver bullet coins were issued by the Bangkok kings until the reign of Rama IV. Cowrie shells and porcelain tokens were also used as money. Modern coins were not issued until 1859 when Queen Victoria sent a small coining press as a gift to Rama VI.
Thailand was known as the Kingdom of Siam in the 1800s, and officially became the Kingdom of Thailand on June 23, 1939. A military coup of 24 June 1932 ended the absolute monarchy and established a constitutional monarchy with the king's support. Thailand was never a colony of European powers, but was occupied by the Japanese during World War II.
The Tical (Baht) was the primary unit of account in Thailand during the 1800s. Thailand had both an accounting system in Ticals as well as commodity money. The Tical was divisible into 4 Salung (Tamlung) or 64 Att. The specie money was based upon the Catty (Chang), which was equal to 20 Tamlung, or 80 Silver Ticals (Bahts). The Tical had subsidiary coins that followed the units of account for the Tical. One Gold Tical was equal to 10 Silver Ticals, and it took 2 Silver Ticals to get a Mexican Silver Dollar (Peso), and 5 Ticals to get a Chinese Tael.
From 1850-1879, the exchange rate was 8 Thai ticals (baht) = UK£1. In 1894, ratings for certain foreign coins were established, notably 1 Thai ticals = Mexican $0.60 and 5 Thai ticals = 7 Indian rupees (Thailand, Royal Edict No. 112, 1 August 1894). Thailand declared decimalization of the currency on 21 August 1898. Indian rupee coins circulated extensively in the north of Thailand until the early 1900s, and the Indian rupee and Straits Settlements circulated extensively in the south.
The monetary system was decimalized on November 25, 1902, and the Tical was subdivided into 4 Salung or 100 Satang. Thailand adapted the gold standard on April 15, 1928 and replaced the Tical with the Baht at par. Thailand left the Gold Standard on May 11, 1932. The Baht was linked to the Yen at par while Japan occupied Thailand, and though no Japanese Military currency was issued, the Baht depreciated as large amounts of paper Bahts were issued.
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 slot 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, cupro nickel 2½, 5, 10 and 20 satang. However, 1 slot, 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, cupro nickel 5 baht coins were introduced, switching to cupro nickel-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, cupro nickel-clad-copper 5 baht and bimetallic 10 baht. Cupro Nickel-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.
The 1, 5 and 10 satang are very rarely seen in circulation. Even though the satang-denominated coins are legal tender, small shops usually don't accept them anymore. Older coins, some of which are still in circulation, only had Thai numerals, but newer designs also have Arabic numerals.
The standard-issue 10-baht coin has, at the 12 o'clock position on the reverse, raised dots corresponding to Braille cell dot 1 and dots 2-4-5, which correspond to the number 10. 10-baht coins are very similar to 2–euro coins in size, shape and weight, and are likewise bimetallic, although they are worth only 25 euro cents. Vending machines 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 base metal commemorative coins and higher denomination precious metal coins as well.
In February 2010 the Treasury Department of Thailand has stated that they have been planning a new circulation 20 baht coin.
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. On August 9, 2012, the Bank of Thailand issued new denomination banknote, 80 baht, to commemorate H.M. Queen Sirikit's 80th birthday. It was the first Thai banknote that featured Crane's Motion security thread.
Summary info
Summary information about Thai baht- ISO 4217 Code:
- THB
- Currency sign:
- ฿
- Country:
- Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar
- Subunit:
- satang
- Coins:
- 1 satang, 5 satang, 10 satang, 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, 10 baht
- Banknotes:
- 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht, 500 baht, 1000 baht
- Central bank:
- Bank of Thailand
History
Thai-speaking peoples migrated southward and westward from China around the 900s. By the early 1400s, the kingdom of Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) stretched across much of present-day Thailand and Cambodia. Coins were first issued in Thailand by the Mon people during the ninth century. The coins were Indian in design, though copied from Burmese coins.The Khmer rulers of Cambodia conquered Thailand in the eleventh century. During the thirteenth century, the Chiengmai stamped silver bars that were then bent to form a ring, though later they were bent and hammered into a tight ball forming bullet money.The Burmese ruled the kingdom from 1569-1574 and again from 1767-1768. The Kingdom of Krung Thep was founded on April 6, 1782 when the capital was moved from Ayutthaya to Bangkok and General Chakri made himself the first king of the Bangkok dynasty, Rama I. Both gold and silver bullet coins were issued by the Bangkok kings until the reign of Rama IV. Cowrie shells and porcelain tokens were also used as money. Modern coins were not issued until 1859 when Queen Victoria sent a small coining press as a gift to Rama VI.
Thailand was known as the Kingdom of Siam in the 1800s, and officially became the Kingdom of Thailand on June 23, 1939. A military coup of 24 June 1932 ended the absolute monarchy and established a constitutional monarchy with the king's support. Thailand was never a colony of European powers, but was occupied by the Japanese during World War II.
The Tical (Baht) was the primary unit of account in Thailand during the 1800s. Thailand had both an accounting system in Ticals as well as commodity money. The Tical was divisible into 4 Salung (Tamlung) or 64 Att. The specie money was based upon the Catty (Chang), which was equal to 20 Tamlung, or 80 Silver Ticals (Bahts). The Tical had subsidiary coins that followed the units of account for the Tical. One Gold Tical was equal to 10 Silver Ticals, and it took 2 Silver Ticals to get a Mexican Silver Dollar (Peso), and 5 Ticals to get a Chinese Tael.
From 1850-1879, the exchange rate was 8 Thai ticals (baht) = UK£1. In 1894, ratings for certain foreign coins were established, notably 1 Thai ticals = Mexican $0.60 and 5 Thai ticals = 7 Indian rupees (Thailand, Royal Edict No. 112, 1 August 1894). Thailand declared decimalization of the currency on 21 August 1898. Indian rupee coins circulated extensively in the north of Thailand until the early 1900s, and the Indian rupee and Straits Settlements circulated extensively in the south.
The monetary system was decimalized on November 25, 1902, and the Tical was subdivided into 4 Salung or 100 Satang. Thailand adapted the gold standard on April 15, 1928 and replaced the Tical with the Baht at par. Thailand left the Gold Standard on May 11, 1932. The Baht was linked to the Yen at par while Japan occupied Thailand, and though no Japanese Military currency was issued, the Baht depreciated as large amounts of paper Bahts were issued.
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 1⁄128, 1⁄64, 1⁄32, 1⁄16, 1⁄8, ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 4, 4½, 8, 10, 20, 40, and 80 baht in silver and 1⁄32, 1⁄16, 1⁄8, 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 slot 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, cupro nickel 2½, 5, 10 and 20 satang. However, 1 slot, 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, cupro nickel 5 baht coins were introduced, switching to cupro nickel-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, cupro nickel-clad-copper 5 baht and bimetallic 10 baht. Cupro Nickel-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.
The 1, 5 and 10 satang are very rarely seen in circulation. Even though the satang-denominated coins are legal tender, small shops usually don't accept them anymore. Older coins, some of which are still in circulation, only had Thai numerals, but newer designs also have Arabic numerals.
The standard-issue 10-baht coin has, at the 12 o'clock position on the reverse, raised dots corresponding to Braille cell dot 1 and dots 2-4-5, which correspond to the number 10. 10-baht coins are very similar to 2–euro coins in size, shape and weight, and are likewise bimetallic, although they are worth only 25 euro cents. Vending machines 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 base metal commemorative coins and higher denomination precious metal coins as well.
In February 2010 the Treasury Department of Thailand has stated that they have been planning a new circulation 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 dollars and Indian rupees. 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. On August 9, 2012, the Bank of Thailand issued new denomination banknote, 80 baht, to commemorate H.M. Queen Sirikit's 80th birthday. It was the first Thai banknote that featured Crane's Motion security thread.
THB banknotes pictures gallery
| 20 Thai baht | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 20 Thai baht has dimensions 138×72 mm and main colors are camouflage green, fern green, trolley grey, dim gray, floral white and linen. The banknote of 20 Thai Baht was issued on the 3 March 2003. | |
 Obverse side of the 20 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama IX in the uniform of the Supreme Commander. |
 Reverse side of the 20 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama VIII and the Rama VIII Bridge. |
| 50 Thai baht | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 50 Thai baht has dimensions 144×72 mm and main colors are lilac, dark electric blue, charcoal, ceil, timberwolf, desert sand, wild blue yonder, glaucous and pastel purple. The banknote of 50 Thai Baht was issued on the 18 January 2012. | |
 Obverse side of the 50 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama IX in the Royal House of Chakri gown. |
 Reverse side of the 50 Thai baht is showing an image of the statue of King Naresuan Pouring water on the ground, which symbolize the declaration of independence, King Naresuan with his sword leading his troops to beat the Burmese camp, the statue of King Naresuan at the Don Chedi Memorial compound, Phra Chedi Chai Mongkol located at Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. |
| 100 Thai baht | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 100 Thai baht has dimensions 150×72 mm and main colors are pale chestnut, twilight lavender, cordovan, davy’s grey, rose quartz, tea rose, ruddy pink, rosy brown and almond. The banknote of 100 Thai Baht was issued on the 21 October 2005. | |
 Obverse side of the 100 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama IX in the uniform of the Supreme Commander. |
 Reverse side of the 100 Thai baht is showing the portrait of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), in the uniform of Admiral of the Fleet and the Royal Activity of King Rama V about the abolition of slavery. |
| 500 Thai baht | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 500 Thai baht has dimensions 156×72 mm and main colors are old lavender, dark electric blue, khaki, desert sand, bubble gum, pale pink and classic rose. The banknote of 500 Thai Baht was issued on the 1 August 2001. | |
 Obverse side of the 500 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama IX in the uniform of the Supreme Commander. |
 Reverse side of the 500 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama III at the Maha Chetsada Bodin Pavilion, the Loha Prasat at Ratchanatdaram Temple, and a Chinese sailing ship. |
| 1000 Thai baht | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 1000 Thai baht has dimensions 162×72 mm and main colors are pastel brown, anti-flash white, pale silver, dim gray, dark gray, grullo, almond, isabelline and pale silver. The banknote of 1000 Thai Baht was issued on the 25 November 2005. | |
 Obverse side of the 1000 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama IX in the uniform of the Supreme Commander. |
 Reverse side of the 1000 Thai baht is showing the portrait of King Rama IX, the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, the agricultural land managed in accordance with the New Theory. |
Useful links
- About Bank of Thailand:
- Bank of Thailand
- List of currencies:
- Currencies
- Security and design features of THB banknotes:
- THB banknotes
- THB currency on Wikipedia:
- Thai baht
- Official Website of Bank of Thailand:
- www.bot.or.th
- Commemorative coins:
- Commemorative Coins