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Evolution of Thai Money

Before the adoption of Thai coins currently used as a medium of monetary exchange and also used to make payment, the evolution of money included designs and forms which have been found over various period of time. For Thai people, money was considered as the symbol of civilization. Money itself, reflected belief, faith in religion, culture, customs and traditions of each era and also act as a significant record of the history and development of Thailand.

History

The land which is now Thailand was once inhabited by various pre-historic communities. Therefore, these groups of people left a heritage of social culture and ceremonies. In the ancient days of Thai society, before money was created to serve as a medium of exchange, humans traded goods by bartering for products of similar value. However, many products differed in quality, and buyers and sellers differed in their assessments of value and in their requirements. To facilitate product sales, several mutually-agreed commodities came into use as mediums for exchange.The Indo-China Peninsula or “Suvarnaphumi” which means “Golden Peninsular” was the geographical area on which Thailand is presently situated. These ancient kingdoms were a prosperous homeland for a variety of diverse races and tribes. They were the regions that were later on known as the Funan Kingdom, Dvaravati Kingdom, Srivijaya Kingdom and Sukhothai Kingdom. They used money as a “medium of exchange” which evolved into different forms of money. Thai money has the unique characteristics of the Thai nation with the Sukhothai Kingdom, using round coins made from silver. Later on, money had developed into what was known as Pod Duang, and has been continued from that time down to the Ayudhya, Thonburi and the early Rattanakosin periods.

Funan Kingdom (A.D. Centuries 1-6)

Funan was the most important region of Indo – China and became highly successful in trade during 1-6 centuries. The Funan Kingdom was influenced by India, through trading and religion. The coinage used during that period bears marks symbolizing the monarchy and the religion, these were mostly flat and round coins made from silver. These coins display, on one side, a half sun spreading rays between two rows of fish eggs. The opposite side carries, in a central position, the Sriwatsa design that represents Phra Narai in accordance with the Brahmin religion, with Bandoh, a small Brahmin ceremonial drum, in one corner; and the Swastika, a symbol that represents good-luck, in the other. At the top of each coin the sign of the sun and the moon appear.

Dvaravati Kingdom (A.D. Centuries 6-11)

With the decline of the Funan Kingdom, several kingdoms declared their freedom and independence. They alternated at being the dominant power in the area. Including,the regions around the central Chao Phya River basin such as Nakhon Pathom, Rajburi, Supanburi etc.They had become the important cities and formed themselves into the consolidated kingdom known as the Kingdom of Dvaravati in the 6th century A.D.. They also alternated at being the dominant power in the area and continued to follow the religious beliefs and administrative systems that had been adopted from India, and meantime, were influenced by Khmer cultures and beliefs. The Dvaravati Kingdom produced many types of coins as a medium in trade. They revealed, through the designs on the coins, symbols of monarchy and the power of the state, the beliefs of Buddhism and the Bhramin religion.

Samples are coins inscribed with the large conch, the small conch, the rabbit on a lily leaf, and the goat, with a row of fish eggs decorating the outer edge. On the reverse side is the Sriwatsa symbol flanked by mohout’s hooks, with the sun and moon on the top and fish at the bottom.In addition, there are flat coins on one side. On some of these coins appeared the features of Buranaklod (water jar), the Dhama wheel and a cow. On the reverse side of the coins are the ancient Sanskrit script.

Srivijaya Kingdom (A.D. Centuries 8-13)

Around the 8th century, the Srivijaya Kingdom was “The land of Sea-faring Traders”. Therefore, the Malaysian Peninsula, especially the area of Chaiya and Nakhon Sri Thammaraj province prospered because they were vital ports on the trade route and also the central market of goods from Europe, Middle East, India and Khmer. Merchant ships stopped to seek shelter from the southern monsoons of the Malaysian Peninsula. Eventually, these lands in the southern part down to Sumatra Island rose to power and banded together to form Srivijaya Kingdom. The people were Buddhists of the Mahayana Sect, ruled by a king.

The two main types of money found originating from Srivijaya Kingdom were Dok Chan Money and Namo Money.

Silver and gold Dok Chan Money is flat, round, and imprinted with a four-petal blossom on one side, with the other side imprinted with the ancient Sanskrit word “wara”.

Silver mixed with antimony Namo Money is flat, round and small with one side bearing the ancient Sanskit letter similar to Thai alphabet “น”. On the other side, there are fold and gully marks.

Sukhothai Kingdom (A.D. Centuries 13-15)

The Sukhothai Kingdom was founded after the joint efforts and armies of Poh Khun (King) Pah Muang and Poh Khun (King) Bang Klang Hao successfully dislodged the Khmer from holding on the administrative powers over the territories of Suvarnaphumi. Poh Khun Bang Klang Hao ascended the throne of the Sukhothai Kingdom under a new title and name: King Sri Intharathit.

The pinnacle of political and administrative power, and the development of the Sukhothai Kingdom, was reached during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng.This Kingdom’s territory was extended to cover the entire length of the Malaysian Peninsular. The initiation of the Thai alphabet and its inscription into stone. Besides, the people of Sukhothai made ceramics which were considered to be of high quality and known as “Sangkalok”.Sangkalok was an important component of exports.

Meanwhile, the medium of exchange used in this kingdom varied but the type of money originated in Sukhothai was “Pod Duang” or “Bullet Money” , it was in circulation for 600 years. It was round-shaped, with long, sharp and pointed tips of legs, and a large hole between the legs. It had marks to show the origin, as few as one and as many as seven marks have been found stamped into Sukhothai Pod Duang. The marks most often found are lion, elephant, conch, Dharma Wheel, lotus, rabbit and ratchawat (a pyramid of dots).

Additionally, it was found that Sukhothai used a hard mixture of many low value metal, such as, tin, lead and zinc, to produce a shape resembling Pod Duang, but of larger size, they were called different names, such as “Pod Duang Chin”, Ngern Kub, Ngern Khub or Ngern Kook. Cowrie shells or Bia were also used as small change in Sukhothai Kingdom.

Ayudhya Kingdom (1350-1767)

The establishment of the Kingdom of Ayudhya was in 1350 A.D. . Due to the geographical location with the junction of four main rivers, namely, Chao Phraya, Noi, Lop Buri and Pa Sak, Ayudhaya had become then the centre of commerce, communication, economics and administration.

The main Ayudhya money remained Pod Duang as in the Sukhothai period, but with some modifications. The coins later became more compact, with shorter and wider apart legs, and with smaller and less deep notchmarks. They also made the rice grains pattern instead. Pod Duang of the period bore only two marks. On the top was the Chakra, which was the kingdom mark, and in the front was the Reign marks, which varied in design, such as the Pum Khao Bin, Ratchawat, Elephant and Conch Shell marks etc.

Thonburi Kingdom (1767-1782)

After the fall of Ayudhya to the Burmese in 1767, King Taksin led the Thai army to push out and vanquish the Burmese. After liberation, King Taksin tried to put the country back in order, as Ayudhya had been sacked and burnt by the Burmese and was difficult to renovate in a short time. Therefore, King Taksin chose to establish his capital in Thonburi. Thonburi was close to the sea and suitable as a seaport for trading with foreign countries. It was a small city that was easy to take care of and defend. Later, he was enthroned as the king and the people passed a resolution to honor him as “King Taksin the Great”

The money that was used early in this reign was Pod Duang of Ayudhya and later King Taksin had Pod Duang produced for use in the economic system with similar characteristics as that of the later Ayudhya period but was stamped with the Chakra as the Kingdom mark. Regarding the Reign mark, it still remained controversial as to what symbol was used: “Trisula” or “Thavivudh”

Rattanakosin Kingdom

Following Thonburi Kingdom, Rattanakosin was established as the new capital. The Money system at the beginning of Rattanakosin Era was similar to Ayudhya monetary system consisting of Pod Duang but it was modified in order to exhibit the development of unique traits attributed to Thai people living in this era. Commemorating Pod Duang also came into being, which showed there was a shared interest in the importance of the events occurring in their time. Then, King Rama IV who had the royal intention to produce “flat coin” for use. Thus, for the first time this became a period in which Thai money entered the international system.

Reign of King Rama I to King Rama III

In the Reign of King Rama I until King Rama III, Pod Duang was continued in use but with the Reign mark changed. King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (King Rama I) created Pod Duang with the Chakra representing the Kingdom mark and the Bua Unalom and the royal emblem of King Rama I. The Pod Duang also had values: Tumlung, Baht, half Baht, Salung, Fuang.

The money used in the reign of King Rama II continued to be Pod Duang which was similar to that of King Rama I’s, but with the Reign mark changed to the Garuda to represent the reign of King Rama II. It is assumed of come from his former name “Chim Plee”, the paradise home of Lord Garuda.

The money produced in the reign of King Rama III remained the Pod Duang carring the Chakra-Prasat mark. The Prasat mark represents King Rama III’s former name: “Tab”(Tee pratab), which was Phra Maha Prasat (Royal Palace). Additionally, it was found that Pod Duang was produced to commemorate some important occasions such as Pod Duang krut sio, Pod Duang Chaleo, Pod Duang Dok Mai and Pod Duang Bai Matum.

Reign of King IV

The Thai monetary system changed significantly during the reign of King Rama IV. This period saw increasing numbers of trade between Thai and foreigners. During, the early period of the reign, Pod Duang was still the main money, bearing the chakra as the Kingdom mark and the Mongkut as the Reign mark. The use of the Mongkut mark (crown) was the pre-ascension of His title and name “Crown Prince Mongkut”.

Meantime, Thailand had a problem due to the inability of being able to produce sufficient Pod Duang and to meet demand as well as prevent widespread counterfeiting, King Rama IV had the paper money issued for use along with Pod Duang, being called “Mai”. Mai was produced from paper with simple printing and used together with Pod Duang, but this series of paper money was not popular with citizens.

In 1857, Queen Victoria sent a small manpowered coin production machine as a royal gift. King Rama IV had the first coin production machine. This coin was called “Rien Bannakarn” (Royal Gift Coins). But, finally, the cessation of use of this machine was ordered because only a small number of coins could be produced per day. They had a new steam-powered machine for the production of flat coinage. Later, King Rama IV ordered the construction of the “Sitthikarn Mint” in front of the Royal Treasury, in the Grand Palace. The first series of coins produced by this machine were similar to the Royal Gift Coins. They could be used alongside Pod Duang, as the production of Pod Duang had been discontinued.

In this same year King Rama IV ordered the production of gold and silver coins of four-Baht value bearing the Monkut-Krung Siam mark for giving as memento on occasion of His 60th Birthday.

Reign of King Rama V

The reign of King Rama V saw a significant development of the nation in almost every aspect including in monetary and financial system. The King ordered the issuance of new tin Solos coins bearing on the obverse the Phra Kiew (the coronet), and in the reverse, the Elephant inside Chakra design. The Phra Kiew is also called “Chula Mongkut” as the royal emblem of King Rama V.

In 1875 King Rama V ordered to build a new Mint, including the installation of a new machine with greater production capacity and efficiency. The new Mint began producing silver coins with the royal portrait and the Coat-of-Arms design, making it the first time that the front side carried the profile of the ruling monarch. It became the operating format for later reign.

During the reign of King Rama V, there was an important restructuring of the monetary system by realigning Siam’s money units along the international lines from the former 13 units, namely: Tos, Pit, Pad Duang, Chang, Tumlung, Baht, Salung, Fuang, Pai, Sik, Sio, Att and Solos. They were based upon weight and were difficult for keeping accounts along international lines.

As for the production of Pod Duang that had ceased production since the reign of King Rama IV. King Rama V ordered the production of Pod Duang with the Chakra-Phra Kiew mark as a memento in commemoration of the Royal Cremation of H.R.H Princess Charoen Kamol Suksawat. She was the youngest daughter of King Rama IV and it was a memento of the Royal Merit Making Ceremony dedicated to Somdej Phra Thep Sirin Tara Mataya the Princess Mother.

Later, King Rama V ordered coins from the coin production facility in Paris. They were the royal portrait-Airapot (three-headed elephant) coins. However, before an announcement for use could be made, King Rama V passed away, thus, King Rama VI ordered the distribution of the coins during the Royal Cremation of King Rama V. These coins was generally called “Rien Nuad” (Moustache Coins).

Reign of King Rama VI to VIII

During the reign of King Rama VI to VIII, Siam faced economic crises that was due to the worldwide economic downturn caused by World War I and II.

During the early reign of King Rama VI, the money coins that had been produced during the reign of King Rama V continued to circulate. He ordered to produce Baht coins which had on the obverse the portrait of King Rama VI and on the reverse the design of Airapot.

In the reign of King Rama VII, he ordered the mintage of silver coins bearing the royal portrait with 50 and 25 Satang values.

In the reign of King Rama VIII, two series of 50, 25, 10 and 5 Satang coins were produced; the first series with the portrait of the king, Child’s Head, on the obverse, and the Garuda on the reverse. They were the last series of coins produced during king Rama VIII’s reign.

Reign of King Rama IX

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne on 9 June 1946, counting from ascending the Throne to the present, it has now been over 60 years and the longest reign of any monarch of the Kingdom of Siam. This is an era when society and the economy rapidly changed, accompanied by evolution of knowledge and technology in all areas, including that of coins, which have continuously been developed and modified in design and metal content in order to comply with the rapidly expanding economy, and to be within international standards.

In 1950, the first series of circulation coins was minted in aluminum bronze and copper in 4 denominations; 5, 10, 25 and 50 Satang coins with the obverse design being King Bhumibol’s portrait and the reverse design being the Coat- of- Arms that had been used during the reign of King Rama V.

In 1986, the changes had been generally partial and made on certain values of coins only, following a comprehensive major revision of coin production in denomination, composition, size and pattern, they included and addition of 1 Satang and 10 Baht coins. Then, the government produced the complete series of 8 types of coins: 10 Baht, 5 Baht, 1 Baht, 50 Satang, 25 Satang, 10 Satang, 5 Satang and 1 Satang. In 2005, 2 Baht coins were minted and made the Thai circulation coins comprise of 9 denominations. Only 25 Satang up to 10 Baht are used in the circulation while the 1, 5 and 10 Satang are minted to serve the accounting system.

During this reign, a large number of coins has been issued. The first commemorative coin was minted in 1961 with the nickel 1 Baht coin to mark the return of Their Majesties from their state visits abroad. It is the first coin featuring the portrait of a female royal family member.

In 1982, the first proof coin was minted to commemorate the bicentenary of Bangkok. The coins were presented to the King and the Royal family without being issued for the general public. It was not until the 50th Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the 12th August of the same year that proof coin were released for the public.

In 2006, to celebrate the 60th year of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne, the Treasury Department issued colour coin for the first time to mark “The First UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award” presented to His Majesty the King by the United Nations. Apart from commemorative coins minted to mark special events and occasions, the Treasury Department also produces commemorative coins in cooperation with international organizations as well.

Thai money and coins are regarded as national treasures as they reflect not only Thai long lasted history but also Thai culture and economy of each period. To learn more about the evolution of Thai money, you can visit the Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decoration and Coins, in the Royal Grand Palace Bangkok or the website http://emuseum.treasury.go.th/th/home/