
The Thai Baht paper money has a rich history that spans over a century. The first Thai Baht paper money was introduced in 1902, making it a relatively modern currency.
The early paper money featured King Rama V, the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty, on the obverse side. This design was a nod to the king's modernizing efforts and his vision for a stronger Thailand.
Thai Baht paper money has undergone several redesigns over the years, with the first major change occurring in 1942. The new design featured King Rama VII, the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty, on the obverse side and a portrait of the king on the reverse side.
The Thai government has continued to update the design and security features of the paper money to prevent counterfeiting and stay ahead of emerging technologies.
Thai Baht Paper Money Overview
Thai Baht paper money is a vibrant reflection of the country's rich history and cultural heritage. The collection spans diverse epochs, from the time of Ananda Mahidol to the era of Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.
Each banknote, regardless of denomination, echoes the legacy of the Land of Smiles and paints a picture of Thailand's evolution. You'll find banknotes from the reigns of Ananda Mahidol and Bhumibol Adulyadej, as well as the Series Four banknotes and those printed post-World War II by the Tudor Press.
Our assortment is rich with historical touchstones, including the Padej Dusakorn Fort and Grand Palace banknotes, which embody the nation's royal heritage and age-old traditions.
Here's a list of the different denominations of Thai Baht paper money:
Thailand
The Thailand section of our Thai Baht paper money collection is truly a treasure trove of history. We have banknotes spanning from the time of Ananda Mahidol to the era of Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.
You'll notice a wide range of denominations, including 1 Baht, 5 Baht, 10 Baht, 20 Baht, 50 Baht, 100 Baht, 500 Baht, and a magnificent 1,000 Baht.
Each banknote is a unique piece of history, painting a vibrant picture of Thailand's evolution. They showcase the nation's transformation, its rulers' legacies, and its people's indomitable spirit.
A different take: How Much Is 1000 Dollars in Thailand Currency
Our collection proudly features banknotes from the reigns of Ananda Mahidol and Bhumibol Adulyadej, as well as the Series Four banknotes and those printed post-World War II by the Tudor Press.
You can browse our collection in various ways, including alphabetically (A-Z or Z-A), by price (low to high or high to low), and by date (old to new or new to old).
Here are the available sorting options for our Thailand Baht banknotes:
- Featured
- Best selling
- Alphabetically, A-Z
- Alphabetically, Z-A
- Price, low to high
- Price, high to low
- Date, old to new
- Date, new to old
Banknotes and Coins
Thai Baht banknotes come in five denominations: 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Baht, each with a unique color to help you identify them.
The colors are green, blue, red, purple, and brown respectively, so make sure to look carefully to avoid mistaking the 1,000 Baht note for the 100 Baht one.
Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 Baht, as well as 25 and 50 Satang.
Some coins have two versions, like the two-Baht coin, which can be gold or silver depending on the year it was minted.
To avoid confusion, some people write the figure 2 on the two-Baht coin with a permanent marker.
Thai Baht is widely accepted in neighboring countries, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar.
Here's an interesting read: 100 Thai Baht in Pounds
Series
The 15th series of Thai baht banknotes are the oldest circulating banknotes in Thailand, issued from 2003 to 2005.
These banknotes can still be seen and used in common manners, with the 20 baht note featuring King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the uniform of the Supreme head of the armed forces.
Here's a brief overview of the 15th series banknotes:
The 16th series of Thai baht banknotes were introduced later, with the 20 baht note featuring King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the Royal House of Chakri gown.
History
The history of paper money in Thailand is a fascinating story that spans over a century. In 1892, the treasury contracted with Giesecke & Devrient in Germany to print notes for various denominations, but they were never issued and eventually destroyed.
The first notes to be introduced were in 1902, printed by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in England, and denominated in 5, 10, 20, 100, and 1000 ticals. The notes had many types, with 1 and 50 tical notes following in 1918.

The term "tical" was used for these notes, but English speakers eventually started referring to them as "baht" in the Thai text. This change in terminology happened in 1925, when notes were issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 100, and 1,000 baht.
The Bank of Thailand took over responsibility for issuing paper money in 1942, and in 1945, 50 baht notes were briefly reintroduced. 50 satang notes were issued in 1946, and the one baht note was replaced by a coin in 1957.
Here are the current denominations of paper money in Thailand:
- 20 baht note
- 50 baht note
- 100 baht note
- 500 baht note
- 1000 baht note
15th Series
The 15th series of banknotes in Thailand are quite fascinating. They were issued between 2001 and 2005.
These banknotes are still in circulation and can be seen in everyday use. The 15th series banknotes have distinct features, including different dimensions and main colors for each denomination.
Let's take a look at the dimensions of each banknote. Here's a breakdown:
The main colors of the banknotes also vary, with the 20 baht note being green, the 50 baht note being blue, the 100 baht note being red, the 500 baht note being purple, and the 1,000 baht note being brown.
These colors are not just for aesthetics; they serve as a visual identifier for each denomination. The 15th series banknotes also feature images of Thai royalty and notable landmarks, adding to their cultural significance.
For more insights, see: Banknotes of the Thai Baht
16th Series

The 16th series of banknotes is a fascinating topic. It was introduced with a range of denominations, each with its own unique features.
The 20 baht note measures 138 × 72 mm and features King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the Royal House of Chakri gown. It was first issued on April 1, 2013.
The 50 baht note is a bit larger, measuring 144 × 72 mm, and has a blue main color. It was introduced on January 18, 2012, and features King Naresuan.
The 100 baht note is the largest of the series, measuring 150 × 72 mm, and has a red main color. It was issued on February 26, 2015, and features King Taksin the Great.
The 500 baht note is a bit smaller than the 100 baht note, measuring 156 × 72 mm, and has a violet main color. It was introduced on May 12, 2014, and features King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok.
Take a look at this: Convert $100 to Thai Baht

The 1,000 baht note is the largest denomination, measuring 162 × 72 mm, and has a brown main color. It was issued on August 21, 2015, and features King Chulalongkorn.
Here's a summary of the 16th series banknotes:
17th Series
The 17th Series was a significant milestone in the development of television programming. It marked the beginning of a new era in entertainment.
The first series to air in the 17th series was a drama that premiered on a major network in the United States. It was a huge success, attracting a large audience and receiving critical acclaim.
One notable aspect of the 17th series was the introduction of a new genre of programming, blending elements of comedy and drama. This format became a staple of television programming for years to come.
The 17th series also saw the rise of serialized storytelling, with many shows featuring complex, multi-episode storylines.
Denominations
The denominations of Thai Baht paper money are quite diverse.
The 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Baht notes come in different colours, making them easy to distinguish.
The 1,000 Baht note is particularly tricky to tell apart from the 100 Baht note, as the red and brown colours are quite similar.
You can easily tell them apart by looking closely at the colour.
Here's a quick rundown of the note denominations and their corresponding colours:
- 20 Baht: green
- 50 Baht: blue
- 100 Baht: red
- 500 Baht: purple
- 1,000 Baht: brown
1000
The 1000 Baht note is a significant denomination in Thai currency. It features a portrait of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as King Rama IX.
20 Baht Paper Banknotes
The 20 Baht paper banknote is a common sight in Thailand, featuring portraits of two of the country's most revered monarchs: His Majesty King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulalok (King Rama I) and His Majesty King Phra Buddha Lertla Naphalai (King Rama II).
These banknotes measure 72 x 144 mm in size and were first issued on July 28, 2018.
The 20 Baht note is one of five denominations of Thai paper banknotes, each with its own distinct color – green, blue, red, purple, and brown, respectively.
Take a look at this: Banknotes of Thailand
500 Baht
The 500 Baht note is a significant denomination in Thai currency.
This note features the portraits of two Thai monarchs: His Majesty King Prajadhipok, also known as King Rama VII, and His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol, also known as King Rama VIII.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are old Thai baht notes still valid?
Old Thai baht notes are still valid, but their acceptance may vary depending on the denomination and age. You can exchange them for free in banks, even if they're no longer widely accepted.
Should I carry USD or baht in Thailand?
Carry Thai Baht (THB) for the best exchange rates and widest acceptance in Thailand. While some places may accept USD, it's not the preferred currency.
Sources
- https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note204729.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banknotes_of_the_Thai_baht
- https://noteshobby.com/collections/thailand
- https://www.bot.or.th/en/our-roles/banknotes/History-and-Series-of-Banknote-And-Commemorative/banknotes-series/banknote-series17.html
- https://www.thailandnow.in.th/country-facts/from-banknotes-and-coins-to-application/
Featured Images: pexels.com