Treasury Department keen to mint coins for neighbouring countries

BANGKOK, May 20 (TNA) -- The Treasury Department has approached Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to produce coins for them and also is expanding marketing campaigns for its commemorative coins internationally. Jakkrit Parapuntakul, director-general of the department, said on May 19 that it proposed to mint coins to replace low-denomination banknotes in Cambodia and Laos. Targeted were 500 and 1,000-Kip coins for Laos, he cited. The department was also contacting Myanmar authorities to present its coin production services there, he said. Besides, the department started campaigns for its commemorative coins through international dealers. It introduced commemorative Thai elephant coins made from gold and silver in several sizes and priced from 3,200 to 75,000 baht each. The department minted 8,000 such commemorative coins and planned to sell 20-30% of them in other countries. Foreign collectors had growing demand for Thai commemorative coins, Mr Jakkrit said. (TNA)