I am impressed by the fact that, compared to many other countries, the banknotes in Thailand are in remarkably good shape. I see the occasional scruffy 20 Baht note, but nothing like the rags in circulation in Laos. Even in UK many banknotes are filthy and lots have scribblings on them, presumably from cashiers countings. It occurred to me that defacing a banknote in Thailand might be a serious issue - given the image on them.

What's the consensus?

My consensus is thus,the large banknotes or the only large one the 1000 baht note is so clean,because so few people actually have any,this is certainly the case every time I visit Makro and the guy in front pays the bill of 2765 baht in 20 baht notes

One of the reasons is that many (all?) Thai banknotes are made from polymer rather than paper.

My consensus is thus,the large banknotes or the only large one the 1000 baht note is so clean,because so few people actually have any,this is certainly the case every time I visit Makro and the guy in front pays the bill of 2765 baht in 20 baht notes

interesting, i live in bangkok and see people peeling them off a stack daily.

15 years ago, 1000 baht could only be changed in a large store. Now days, mot motorcycle taxi guys can break one.

the key difference as has been mentioned is the composition of the notes as well as the fact that the central bank actively prints new notes and takes old notes out of circulation unlike many of its surrounding countries.

Edited December 30, 201213 yr by tinfoilhat

One of the reasons is that many (all?) Thai banknotes are made from polymer rather than paper.

Strange -- they tear exactly like paper.

One of the reasons is that many (all?) Thai banknotes are made from polymer rather than paper.

Strange -- they tear exactly like paper.

You tried also,LOL

One of the reasons is that many (all?) Thai banknotes are made from polymer rather than paper.

Strange -- they tear exactly like paper.

You tried also,LOL

Having lived in NZ I am very familiar with poly-whatsit banknotes, and Thai notes are certainly not made of that material.

I was getting at the possibility of it being an offence to deface them because of the strict laws. Any thought on that?

Edited December 30, 201213 yr by jpinx

My consensus is thus,the large banknotes or the only large one the 1000 baht note is so clean,because so few people actually have any,this is certainly the case every time I visit Makro and the guy in front pays the bill of 2765 baht in 20 baht notes

interesting, i live in bangkok and see people peeling them off a stack daily.

15 years ago, 1000 baht could only be changed in a large store. Now days, mot motorcycle taxi guys can break one.

the key difference as has been mentioned is the composition of the notes as well as the fact that the central bank actively prints new notes and takes old notes out of circulation unlike many of its surrounding countries.

I suspected I would get one bite,it was a light hearted comment highlighting the fact that I always get caught in Makro.

Agreed, the Thais do a great job of keeping their bank notes in good condition

My consensus is thus,the large banknotes or the only large one the 1000 baht note is so clean,because so few people actually have any,this is certainly the case every time I visit Makro and the guy in front pays the bill of 2765 baht in 20 baht notes

interesting, i live in bangkok and see people peeling them off a stack daily.

15 years ago, 1000 baht could only be changed in a large store. Now days, mot motorcycle taxi guys can break one.

the key difference as has been mentioned is the composition of the notes as well as the fact that the central bank actively prints new notes and takes old notes out of circulation unlike many of its surrounding countries.

About 3 years ago 50 baht notes seemed to be rare, and now there's lots. One wonders if the bank is doing some of that famous "quantitative easing" that the west is muttering about ?

In some countries, like PNG, people tend to hide their cash in places you wouldn't like to go. It tends to lead to "scruffy" banknotes. The worst I have seen here is the 5 coin baht in the ear (that one seems to be dying out) and the crones keeping their dosh down the bra.

Edited December 30, 201213 yr by Briggsy

. It occurred to me that defacing a banknote in Thailand might be a serious issue - given the image on them.

@ OP I think you might have answered your own question there ! as I remember reading some time ago that it is indeed illegal to deface anything bearing an image of His Majesty and ibelieve that technically it is an offence to fold a banknote in such a way as to cover his image ,taken to extremes it would actually make it illegal to put the banknotes inside your wallet as that could be construed as insulting the king ! but I guess that even given the strange ways things are done in Thailand it would be impossible to enforce the laws pertaining to the royal family as they would have to put everyone in the country on trial .

My consensus is thus,the large banknotes or the only large one the 1000 baht note is so clean,because so few people actually have any,this is certainly the case every time I visit Makro and the guy in front pays the bill of 2765 baht in 20 baht notes

interesting, i live in bangkok and see people peeling them off a stack daily.

15 years ago, 1000 baht could only be changed in a large store. Now days, mot motorcycle taxi guys can break one.

the key difference as has been mentioned is the composition of the notes as well as the fact that the central bank actively prints new notes and takes old notes out of circulation unlike many of its surrounding countries.

About 3 years ago 50 baht notes seemed to be rare, and now there's lots. One wonders if the bank is doing some of that famous "quantitative easing" that the west is muttering about ?

George O is good at that Quantitative easing business, it give him and his mates a bit more dosh to maintain their lavish taxpayer funded lifestyle!

Strange -- they tear exactly like paper.

But you can machine wash them and they come out in good shape.

Try that with your birthday certificate

And you can find them in perfect condition under 20 meters of water when diving!