Bank of Thailand reveals two new banknotes to mark Queen’s 80th birthday and the Crown Prince’s 60th birthday; special security features are included.

Author: Central Banking Newsdesk
Source: Central Banking | 06 Jul 2012

The Bank of Thailand has unveiled two commemorative banknotes; an 80 baht ($2.50) note to mark Queen Sirikit of Thailand’s 80th birthday and a 100 baht note to mark the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday. The central bank said it will issue the notes in the next two months to pay tribute to the pair’s “incomparable contributions to the country”.

Two million 80 baht notes are to be released three days prior to the Queen’s birthday on August 12. They will be sold at a price of 120 baht in a “hard-paper cover” by a number of Thai banks, with part of the proceeds going to the Queen for charitable donation.

The new 80 baht notes contain a number of specially designed features. They are 80mm wide to represent 80 years and contain a windowed security thread. Each window reveals the number 80 or a rose when the note is tilted. The notes also contain a watermark of the Queen’s monogram, which is visible when held up to the light.

In addition, 10 million 100 baht notes will be printed for the Crown Prince’s ‘5th cycle’ (60th) birthday on July 28. The notes will be released into circulation on the day before the prince’s birthday. The front of the note is identical to the current 100 baht note, while the reverse depicts a new image of the prince being conferred with his title.

Wider preparations for the two birthdays are already underway, with the government appointing two national commissions to oversee the events. The deputy prime minister, Yongyoot Wichaidit, chaired a meeting in which it was decided that ‘projects and activities’ in celebration should run from May 1 to December 31.

Source: Central Banking