Satang It!

[Mark Wolfe]

I realize this isn't a very important topic, but I understand (sort of) why shops refuse to take satang coins, but recently I went to a main office of Bangkok Bank and they refused to take them as well.

I'm confused. If a bank cannot accept legal tender from its own country, then what does this mean?

I was told to go to Family Mart and change them (which I did). What is this? The Central Bank of Family Mart?

I am not sure I can think of another country where the banks won't take all forms of legal tender.

(By the way, the mint has just released the new copper-plated steel 2 baht coin, so you won't have so much trouble distinguishing it from the 1 baht coin.)

[Pilchard]

How many did you try to bank ?

If it was hundreds they might want them bagged up so they can just be weighed for value.

[Mark Wolfe]

No, no. It has nothing to do with the number of coins; they won't take any. Try it yourself and see what they say.

[Pilchard]

Weird, wonder what family mart does with em

Never had trouble getting them in my change when I pay a bill at the bank tho

[Jingthing]

Phase out the little buggers! Satangs are a pain. No good reason not to make one baht the smallest unit of Thai currency.

If Thai people will miss the satang, it could be a tourist attraction. A large building could be erected and all the returned satangs could be thrown in there and people could roll around and play with the satang mountain all they wish. A good job creation idea for the Thai stimulus package, yes?

Edited March 5, 2009 by Jingthing

[Rooo]

I realize this isn't a very important topic, but I understand (sort of) why shops refuse to take satang coins, but recently I went to a main office of Bangkok Bank and they refused to take them as well.

I'm confused. If a bank cannot accept legal tender from its own country, then what does this mean?

I was told to go to Family Mart and change them (which I did). What is this? The Central Bank of Family Mart?

I am not sure I can think of another country where the banks won't take all forms of legal tender.

(By the way, the mint has just released the new copper-plated steel 2 baht coin, so you won't have so much trouble distinguishing it from the 1 baht coin.)

Same as in Australia Mark, banks don't accept 1 & 2 cent pieces,tollways don't accept 5 cents.So you wonder why keep them in circulation.

[PoorSucker]

Same as in Australia Mark, banks don't accept 1 & 2 cent pieces,tollways don't accept 5 cents.So you wonder why keep them in circulation.

In India they sell the paise coins for more than they are worth.

It because the Muslims use them to give to beggars.

One coin for each beggar.

Could be a reason why they still have satang in circulation here.

[samuibeachcomber]

are n't satangs only used by the supermarkets and 711,family mart,may be thats the reason the banks dont accept them.was told never to give satangs to beggars cos they cant use them and its kind of an insult.I would imagine any money they receive they'd use for food at market stalls and food carts.

[t.s]

are n't satangs only used by the supermarkets and 711,family mart,may be thats the reason the banks dont accept them.was told never to give satangs to beggars cos they cant use them and its kind of an insult.I would imagine any money they receive they'd use for food at market stalls and food carts.

you would think that a beggar would hardly be in a position to choose.

[H2oDunc]

I put them in a bag and give them to the kids which run around near the market in Bang Rak. They mean very little to me but the smile you get when they look in the bag is priceless

[sweetyhoney]

I not have problem with this, but if you have many many coin and you really want to change you can go to lotus...I am very sure they will change for you

[suegha]

It's like all the small coins in any country. In the UK, 1p and 2p have no use, the 5p should be the smallest and scrap the rest. They probably cost more to make than they are worth!

[Mark Wolfe]

Maybe, but in the US, all coins are legal tender everywhere, including banks. Isn't this as it should be? If the Central Bank issues coins, they must be honored. If the Central Bank decides that a coin will be recalled, then there is a phase-out program.

This situation of banks not honoring the nation's currency, however small, is absurd.

[krading]

When you go to a funeral they toss out little bags of coins as they march around the crematorium. Put them away somewhere safe and when you've collected enough you can use them again at you own funeral

[suegha]

A very practical post there from krading!

[KHUNDAN]

If you have a lot of Satang, contact me and I will take them off your hands.

Thanks

Dan