BoT introduces commemorative banknotes to remember King Rama IX

BANGKOK, July 21 (TNA) -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has introduced commemorative banknotes in remembrance of King Rama IX. BoT governor Veerathai Santiprabhob said the special banknotes were intended to honor and remember the great contributions of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and they would be circulated normally. The new bills will be in 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000-baht denominations. Their front will be the same as the banknote series 16 and the reverse side will show pictures of the late king’s history, work and development projects. Bills with the 20-baht denomination bear pictures of the late king’s childhood. 50-baht notes depict the king’s ascension to the throne. 100-baht notes show the king’s work for people in remote areas. 500-baht notes show the king’s capabilities through royal development projects; and 1,000-baht notes depict stories in the king’s late reign. The new banknotes have the same anti-forgery features as the 16th-series notes plus a special feature on the reverse side. The area around the portrait of King Bhumibol will illuminate when it is viewed under ultraviolet light. From Sept 20 on, people can exchange money for the new commemorative banknotes at commercial banks, Government Savings Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Housing Bank and Islamic Bank of Thailand. Mr Veerathai said that the amount of the commemorative banknotes was enough for people to keep and normally use in everyday life. People would not have to queue up at banks for the new bills because they could also withdraw the new banknotes from ATMs, the Bank of Thailand governor said. (TNA)