Thai Occupation Banknotes & Coins: Unissued Malaya Currency

Delve into Thai Occupation Banknotes & Coins: Unissued Malaya Currency, a unique chapter in Southeast Asia's WWII history. Learn about these Thai occupation banknotes & coins prepared for the WWII Malay States (Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu), specifically the unissued 1 Dollar note & 1, 5, and 10cent coins. Though never officially circulated, these financial instruments reflect significant geopolitical changes and economic disruptions during the Thai occupation. This article explores their historical context, design, and enduring legacy.

Historical Context

Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909

The four northern states of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu, which are now part of modern-day Malaysia, were once under the suzerainty of the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand). During the reign of King Rama V, also known as King Chulalongkorn, these states were ceded to Great Britain as part of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909. This treaty delineated the boundaries between British Malaya and Siam, significantly altering the territorial map of the region. The treaty was instrumental in defining the modern borders between Thailand and Malaysia, setting the stage for future geopolitical dynamics.

Japanese Occupation of Malaya

The onset of World War II brought about dramatic changes in Southeast Asia. In December 1941, the Japanese launched a swift and coordinated invasion of Malaya, which was then a British colony. The Japanese military strategy aimed at securing resource-rich territories and establishing a stronghold in the region. As British defenses crumbled under the relentless Japanese assault, the geopolitical landscape of Malaya underwent a rapid transformation.

Thai Administration of Northern Malay States

Thailand under the leadership of Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram allied with Japan. It is believed that this alliance was partly motivated by Thailand's desire to avoid any war with Japan and also to reclaim territories it had lost to colonial powers. In December 1941, shortly after the Japanese invasion began, Thailand and Japan signed an alliance agreement on 21 December 1941 allowing Japanese forces to move through its territory to launch attacks on Burma.

In 1943, as part of their above-mentioned wartime alliance with Japan, the Japanese granted Thailand administrative control over the four northern states of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu, and also parts of Shan state.

From 18 October 1943, the four Malay states were subsequently absorbed into the Thai administrative system, referred to in Thai as Si Rat Malai meaning four Malay states, marking a significant geopolitical shift. The Thai authorities made Alor Setar the center for the administration of the territory and the four states are referred to in Thai as Syburi, Palit, Kalantan, and Trangkanu respectively. On 2 September 1945, the four Malay states were returned to the British.

Banknotes Prepared for Issuance

During the Japanese occupation of Northern Malaya in World War II, as part of its administration, Thailand undertook significant efforts to prepare specific banknotes and coins for circulation in the occupied territories.

Despite the plans to issue new currency, only one denomination of banknote was prepared for use in the Thai-occupied Malay States a 1 dollar note. This banknote, although prepared, was never officially issued due to restrictions imposed by the Japanese authorities. The decision to prepare only a single denomination likely reflects the urgency and resource constraints faced by the Thai administration during the war.

Thai One Dollar Banknote

Being a wartime banknote, the 1 dollar paper money was designed with simple features to be easily recognizable and functional for everyday transactions. The primary intention was not to use the local Thai currency, the Thai Baht, but to use the Dollar currency that the local population is familiar with. This, thus, created a seamless transition for the local population to the new currency system under Thai administration.

The color of the banknote is mauve and yellow with dimensions of 125 x 65 mm. The main text on the front of the banknote in Thai reads "Ratthaban Thai Nueng Dollar" meaning "Thai Government One Dollar" signifying the issuing authority and the denomination. In addition to the Thai language, the banknotes also contain the same text Chinese script and Jawi script. This multilingual approach ensured that the banknotes were accessible and usable by the local communities in Northern Malaya. It is worthwhile to note that the use of Chinese and Jawi script is not the first time used on Thai banknotes as it was also used on the 1st Series banknotes issued in 1902 during the reign of King Rama V because those banknotes were also used in these four Malay states before the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 mentioned above.

At the bottom of the banknote both obverse and reverse, there is the printer's name, the Royal Thai Survey Department (RTSD) in Thai language. For ease of design, the banknote depicts the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok on the reverse side. The Throne Hall has been used on Series Four banknotes printed by Thomas de la Rue and also RTSD, as well as, the Special Series 1 Baht banknote issued in 1942 also printed by RTSD. The banknote does not have any security thread. Like, the other Thai issues, the constitution is used as a watermark.

Remainder banknotes, i.e., a banknote that has been prepared for issue but not issued for one reason or another, without any serial number and proofs and specimen banknotes with serial number 00000 exist. Notably, the banknotes do not contain any signature, further indicating its status as an unissued financial instrument.

Overprinting and Usage in Thailand

After the decision by the Japanese to not allow the circulation of the prepared banknotes in Malaya, the remainder banknotes were overprinted with a value of 50 baht and used in Thailand instead. This overprinting effectively repurposed the existing stock of banknotes for use within the Thai economy.

The process involved adding a new denomination value over the original design. This measure allowed for rapid and cost-effective issuance, circumventing the time-consuming process of printing new banknotes from scratch and without incurring much additional printing costs. The decision to utilize the existing stock was both a pragmatic and strategic move, reflecting the exigencies of wartime economics.

There are three known overprinting varieties, as follows:

1. Horizontal black Fifty Baht in Thai text overprinted on One Dollar at the center front.

2. Red 50 overprint in watermark circle front, black bar overprint over the One Dollar text and numerals front, red Fifty Baht in Thai text at center front, and Royal Garuda emblem overprint upper center front.

3. Red 50 overprint in watermark circle front and back, black bar overprint over the One Dollar text and numerals front and back, red Fifty Baht in Thai text at center front, and Royal Garuda emblem overprint upper center front.

The impact of these overprinted banknotes on Thailand's currency system was multifaceted. On one hand, it provided a temporary solution to the currency shortage, enabling smoother transactions and economic activities during the war. On the other hand, it introduced complexities in the currency system, as these notes carried the remnants of their original purpose, especially, the varieties that did not overprint all text intended for the original purpose, creating an unusual blend of regional monetary symbols and values. These overprinted notes circulated in Thailand, provide an interesting footnote in the country's numismatic history.

Coins Prepared for Issuance

In addition to the banknotes, coins were also prepared by the Thai administration for use in the occupied Malay States. These coins were intended to facilitate smaller transactions and were minted in tin, a material readily available and cost-effective during the wartime period.

While the banknotes used the dollar currency, the coins used the decimal cent. Coins in denominations of 1 cent, 5 cent, and 10 cents were minted. The coins have reeded edge.

The obverse of the coin has the shape of a chakra with an anchor inserted into the chakra circle. On the left and right there are images of spread bird wings under the image of Phra Maha Mongkut. Under the left winglet, Arabic numerals indicate the denomination 1, 5, or 10 respectively. On the right side, there is the text "St" indicating Satang. Underneath, the text and numeral is indicating the year of issue B.E. 2486 or 1943.

On the reverse side, there are large Arabic numerals in the middle of the coin that specify the denomination of 1, 5, or 10 respectively. On the top, is the text "Thai Government" while the text at the bottom reads "one cent", "five cents" or "ten cents" respectively.

The diameter, thickness, and weight of the coins are as follows:

1 cent: 1.30 cm, 0.15 cm and 1.07 grams

5 cents: 1.75 cm, 0.20 cm and 2.13 grams

10 cents: 2.00 cm, 0.20 cm and 3.60 grams

The preparation of these banknotes and coins was part of a broader strategy by the Thai administration to integrate the occupied Malay States into their economic system. Similar to the banknotes, the prepared coins were never officially issued for circulation in the Malay States due to the prevailing circumstances and decisions made by the occupying Japanese authorities. The decision not to issue these coins likely stemmed from the complexities of wartime administration and the Japanese desire to maintain control over the region's economy.

Conclusion

The unissued banknotes and coins of Thailand for Japanese-occupied Northern Malaya during World War II hold a unique place in numismatic history. The prepared but unissued banknotes and coins illustrate the economic and political strategies of the Thai administration and the constraints imposed by their Japanese allies.

Even though the 1 dollar banknote and the 1 cent, 5 cent,s and 10 cents coins were never circulated, these items are highly coveted among collectors due to their rarity and the intricate historical narrative they represent. These pieces are not merely monetary instruments but potent symbols of the complex wartime relationships and territorial changes in Southeast Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the historical context behind Thailand's administration of the Northern Malay States during WWII?

A: During World War II, as an ally of Japan, Thailand was granted administrative control over the four northern Malay states (Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, or Si Rat Malai) starting October 18, 1943. This was partly motivated by Thailand's desire to reclaim territories lost to colonial powers, and these states were integrated into the Thai administrative system.

Q: Which banknote denomination was prepared by the Thai administration for issuance in the occupied Malay States?

A: Only a single banknote denomination, a 1 Dollar note, was prepared by the Thai administration for use in the Thai-occupied Malay States. However, this banknote was never officially issued due to restrictions imposed by the Japanese authorities.

Q: What were the key design features of the unissued Thai One Dollar banknote for Malaya?

A: The 1 Dollar banknote was designed with simple features in mauve and yellow, measuring 125 x 65 mm. It prominently featured "Ratthaban Thai Nueng Dollar" (Thai Government One Dollar) in Thai, Chinese, and Jawi scripts. The reverse depicted the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok, and it used the constitution as a watermark, but notably lacked a signature or security thread.

Q: What happened to the unissued Thai One Dollar banknotes prepared for Malaya?

A: After the Japanese prohibited their circulation in Malaya, the remainder of these banknotes were repurposed and used in Thailand. They were overprinted with a value of 50 Baht in Thai text, effectively repurposing the existing stock to address currency shortages within the Thai economy during the war.

Q: Were any coins also prepared by Thailand for use in the occupied Malay States?

A: Yes, in addition to banknotes, coins were also prepared by the Thai administration for the occupied Malay States. These were minted in tin in denominations of 1 cent, 5 cents, and 10 cents. Like the banknotes, these coins were never officially issued for circulation in Malaya.