The History of Thai Currency – from Ancient Beads to Modern Baht
The history of Thailand currency traces the evolution of the medium of exchange used in Thailand prior to the 1st century. This dates from the days of barter trade, ancient beads and money in various shapes and sizes till the currency in modern times.
Ancient beads, seeds, bracelets and pebbles used as a medium of exchange in the early days around 200 – 300 BC, have been discovered in Thailand, including old Roman copper coins dating back to 270 BC!
During the 1st – 7th centuries, metallic coins of the Funan Kingdom in Indochina made their appearance in Thailand, followed by Dvaravati coins in the 7th – 11th centuries. This was followed by a period in the history of Thai currency when money in different shapes and sizes from various places were in use.
Sandal wood flower coins or Dok Jan coins from the Sri Vijaya Kingdom in SE Asia were introduced in trade in the region in the 8th – 13th centuries. Cowrie shells and baked clay coins were also used from the pre- Sukhothai era until the reign of King Rama IV, when they were dropped from circulation.
From the 14th – 19th centuries, coins from the Lanna Kingdom in the northern Thailand embossed with various designs were also in circulation. Around the same period, 15th – 19th centuries, Lanchang, the kingdom in northeastern Thailand introduced silver and copper pieces in long and narrow boat shapes.
In the history of Thai currency, the money that was most enduring was Pot Duang or bullet money. This first appeared during the Sukhothai era, 13th – 14th centuries. Pot Duang money were hand-made coins. Metal strips were bent and folded into spheres very much like a bullet, thus the name, bullet money.
Bullet money was in circulation for 600 years from the Sukhothai era to Rattanakosin until its withdrawal from circulation in 1904 during the reign of King Rama V.
The most profound changes in the history of Thai currency occurred during the Rattankosin era in the reigns of King Rama IV and King Rama V. Standardized factory minted coins and bank notes were officially issued.
During the reign of King Rama IV, when foreign trade and diplomatic relations expanded, the paper money, in the form of royal promissory notes, was issued in 1853. These were followed by bank notes issued by the foreign to facilitate trade clearance.
In 1857, Queen Victoria of Britain presented Thailand with the first minting machine and the minting of the first Thai silver coins commenced. In 1858, a minting machine purchased from Britain and the Royal Mint was set up in the Grand Palace and the minting of coins went ahead full steam.
In the reign of King Rama IV, money was denominated in satang, tho, phi, padueng and baht.
During the reign of King Rama V, or King Chulalongkorn, coinage was streamlined. The numerous denominations were reduced to only two, satang and baht, based on the metric system, which remain till this day. Bank notes issued were in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 40,80, 100, 400 and 800 baht.
Today, the denominations have been streamlined to 25, 50 satang coins, 1, 5, 10 baht coins and 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 baht notes.
The history of Thai currency goes back more than 1,000 years, evolving from ancient beads and bracelets to the modern baht that's in current use.
The ancient beads, bullet money and old currencies can be viewed at the Bank of Thailand Museum in Bang Khun Phrom Palace within the premises of the Central Bank of Thailand.
The History of Thai currency first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies, a travel website with a historical perspective of renowned places preserved for posterity and the legendary figures who left these legacies in the landscape of Bangkok. The author, Eric Lim, is a freelance writer who lives in Bangkok Thailand.
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