New 50-baht bank notes to be issued

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has announced the introduction of a new fifty-baht bank note at the beginning of next month to replace the unpopular polymer one which was released into circulation nearly a decade ago.

The new notes would be glazed, white paper instead of polymer, a senior central bank official, Ithichai Chantharinthu, told reporters on Monday.

“The bank of Thailand will print the first lot of 144 million bank notes. These will gradually replace the 2.7 billion old notes in the market. I think it will take 18 months to two years to complete. And of course, the old notes will all be destroyed,'' he said.

The production costs will be 50 percent lower than the current note, and less than one baht a note, he added.

The new notes would bear an image of His Majesty the King as usual. But the

transparent circle or spot on the note will be clearer so that it is easier to see from both sides of the note.

The new notes will appear to have three colours --- blue, red and yellow -- as the paper contains fibres that glow under ultra-violet rays, Mr. Ithichai

said.

The size of the number 50 on new bank notes will be slightly larger than on the current note to avoid confusion, he said.

--TNA 2004-09-28

Oh great.

Will the new notes still fit in my wallet?

I thought the old "new 50" was supposed to last for ever.

How about a new version of the 100??

to replace the unpopular polymer one which was released into circulation nearly a decade ago.

Unpopular?? They are too scarce to be unpopular. Try expensive.

No, unpopular, and I can understand why, I hate them myself. Feels like you have a piece of plastic in your wad. Always make sure I quickly get rid of any I get.

I still personally think that they should introduce a 5,000 baht note.

I still personally think that they should introduce a 5,000 baht note.

aye, I bet a lot of cashiers / waitresses @ bars do aswell

A 2000 baht bill would make sense.

[The production costs will be 50 percent lower than the current note, and less than one baht a note, he added.

Wow, must have taken a lot of research to realize that after printing millions of those polymer notes! I suppose the Australian Mint office in Ekkamai is looking for other business now.

A 2000 baht bill would make sense.

Even better a Bt 5,000 note would be very convenient for changing say a £100 uk note = Bt 7,500...ie 1x 5k,2x2k plus 1k..nice and neat and not too thick for the billfold.

Also if European tourists are the flavour of the month then it would obviously make more sense for the T.G to produce a nifty little Bt 25,000 note which would would be almost exactly = to the Euro-Eu.500. (until the next hic-up)

A 2000 baht bill would make sense.

Taxi driver: "Cannot give change on 2,000 baht, no hab money for change..."

First-time (naive) tourist: "Errh..., well, that's okay. Just keep the rest of 1,945 baht...

Taxi driver (while tourist is leaving the cab): "Falang baaaaaaaah..."

Taxi driver: "Cannot give change on 2,000 baht, no hab money for change..."

They always seem to find a shop open somewhere that has change in my experience.

Seriously though, it's ridiculous paying any large bill in cash when 1000 baht (USD24) is the largest denomination.

Anyone know what year the 1000 baht bill was first introduced? Surely with inflation it's time for something higher.

Seriously though, it's ridiculous paying any large bill in cash when 1000 baht (USD24) is the largest denomination.

That is one of the delights of Thailand.

Bills are rarely big enough for it to be problem.

I still personally think that they should introduce a 5,000 baht note.

and they are just so's Wolfie can tip well.

I really like that polymer note - sad to see them go