Thailand Series 4 Banknotes: Transition from Siam

The Series 4 banknotes of Thailand, issued during the tumultuous period of the late 1930s and into World War II, represent a unique and historically significant chapter in the nation's monetary history. They serve as a tangible record of a country in transition, with notes reflecting two different official names: "Government of Siam" and "Government of Thailand," due to the country's name change on 24 June 1939. This series was also the first to be printed by more than one institution. Initially produced by the British firm Thomas De La Rue (TDLR), production was later taken over by the domestic Royal Thai Survey Department (RTSD) due to the global disruptions of World War II. Following the Series 3 tradition, these banknotes feature the portrait of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), and are notable for being the first series to not have a printed date.

A Nation Rebranded: Siam to Thailand

To fully appreciate the historical context of the Series 4 banknotes, it's essential to understand the political transformations that took place in Thailand. The series was introduced in 1938, marking it as the first full banknote series to be issued after the 1932 Siamese Revolution, which had replaced the absolute monarchy with a constitutional one. This pivotal shift in governance was followed by another significant change on 24 June 1939, when the country’s name was officially changed from Siam to Thailand under Prime Minister Plaek Pibulsongkram.

This change is directly reflected on the Series 4 banknotes, making them a unique historical record. As a result, the series is divided into two distinct groups: notes bearing the title "Government of Siam" and those with the title "Government of Thailand." The latter, introduced on 7 March 1940, were the first Thai banknotes to feature the country's new name. This makes Series 4 the only in Thai currency history to include more than one official state name, serving as a fascinating snapshot of a nation in transition.

The First Series with Multiple Printers

The Series 4 banknotes are primarily distinguished by their two different printers, a direct consequence of the global geopolitical situation during World War II. Initially, the banknotes were produced by the British firm Thomas De La Rue & Company (TDLR) in London, continuing a long-standing relationship with the Thai government. These notes, including denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 1000 Baht, are known for their high-quality intaglio printing, superior paper, and intricate designs.

However, the war severely disrupted this arrangement. After Thailand signed a mutual alliance pact with Japan on 21 December 1941, and subsequently declared war on Britain, it became impossible to continue obtaining banknotes from TDLR. This led the Thai government to order banknotes from Japan, but difficulties with transportation combined with the steadily increasing demand for banknotes by the Japanese military in Thailand ultimately made that option unviable.

This necessity for self-reliance led to the production of the second type of Series 4 notes, which were printed domestically by the Royal Thai Survey Department (RTSD). Materials for these notes were sourced locally; for instance, the paper was produced by the Thai Paper Mill in Kanchanaburi Province, and printing ink was coercively purchased from private entities. The denominations—1, 10, 20, and 100 Baht—were produced under emergency wartime conditions, with cruder engravings on inferior paper. This dual-printer arrangement marks the Series 4 as the first in Thai history to have more than one producer.

Design Elements of Series 4 Banknotes

The design of the Series 4 banknotes, while consistent across denominations, showcases several key features that reflect Thai national identity and the political climate of the era.

Portrait of the King: The obverse of all Series 4 notes features a portrait of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), continuing the tradition from the previous series 3.

Title and Legal Tender: The national title, either Government of Siam or Government of Thailand, is prominently displayed. Below it, the legal tender status is inscribed.

Denomination: The denomination is shown in bold Thai script (below the legal tender statement) and in both Thai and Western numerals on either side of the note. The notable exception is the 100 Baht Type 2 note, which only features Western numerals.

Emblems: Two important national symbols are present on the front of the notes: the Garuda Emblem, positioned above the title, and the Airapote (a mythical three-headed elephant) in the right bottom corner.

Watermark: The watermark on the Series 4 banknotes is a Constitution on a pedestal, a powerful symbol of Thailand's transition from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy in 1932. This design element was particularly significant, as it linked the currency directly to the new political order. For the final two varieties of the 10 Baht note printed by the RTSD, the watermark was changed to wavy lines, though the image of the constitution was still printed in the watermark area. You can find more information about this symbolic watermark here.

Serial Numbering and Prefix: The serial numbers are in red ink and consist of five digits, ranging from 00001 to 100000 for each prefix. The alphanumeric prefix consists of a letter on top and a number on the bottom. The letters used are unique to each denomination: A, B, C, D for the 1-baht notes; K for the 5-baht; N for the 10-baht; P for the 20-baht; S for the 100-baht; and T for the 1000-baht.

Signatories: The Minister of Finance's signature is located on the banknote.

Printer: The printer's name is inscribed along the bottom edge of both the obverse and reverse. The RTSD notes are distinguishable by the printer's name being in Thai script.

The Reserve (Back) Design

Unifying elements across all denominations of Series 4 are:

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall: This building, a symbol of royal power and the new constitutional government, was a fitting choice for the national currency. For more on the history and significance of this landmark on Thai banknotes, you can read this article.

Denomination: The denomination is repeated on the reverse, with Thai numerals in the top left corner and Arabic numerals in the top right, except for the 100 Baht Type 2, which only has Arabic numerals in both corners.

Forgery Penalty: Text detailing the penalty for forging banknotes is inscribed below the image of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.

Printer: The printer's name is also found along the bottom edge of the reserve.

Individual Denomination Designs

Each denomination of the Series 4 banknotes is distinguished by its unique color palette and a specific landmark featured on the obverse to the right of the king's portrait.

1 Baht Banknote

Colors: Predominantly blue and green

Front (Obverse): Phra Samut Chedi temple and pagoda on the Chao Phraya River, an image that was used on the reverse of the Series 3 banknote

Dimensions: 125 x 65 mm

5 Baht Banknote

Colors: Predominantly purple and green

Front (Obverse): Phra Pathom Chedi temple in Nakhon Pathom

Dimensions: 135 x 75 mm

10 Baht Banknote

Color: Dominated by a rich brown color

Front (Obverse): Mahakan Fort in Bangkok

Dimensions: 147 x 87 mm

20 Baht Banknote

Colors: Primarily green with an orange blend

Front (Obverse): Dusidaphirom Pavilion and the Chakri Mahaprasart Pavilion in Bangkok

Dimensions: 147 x 87 mm

100 Baht Banknote

Colors: Primarily blue with an orange blend

Front (Obverse): Ordination Hall of Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) in Bangkok

Dimensions: 147 x 87 mm

Note: The 100 Baht note printed by TDLR was never officially issued for circulation and is only known to exist as a specimen. In contrast, the 100 Baht notes produced by the Royal Thai Survey Department (RTSD) were issued and used as legal tender.

1000 Baht Banknote

Color: Predominantly red

Front (Obverse): Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) and the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok

Dimensions: 195 x 105 mm

A Collector's Guide to Series 4 Banknotes

This section provides a detailed breakdown of the official varieties of Thailand's Series 4 banknotes, categorized by their title and printer. The information on signatories and prefix ranges is a critical guide for both new and seasoned collectors.

The easiest way to distinguish between the two types of notes is by examining the printer's name located at the bottom edge on both the front and back. Notes printed by TDLR have the printer's name in English script ("THOMAS DE LA RUE ..."), while those printed by RTSD display the name in Thai script. It's also worth noting that the 100 Baht note printed by TDLR was never issued for circulation and only exists as a specimen, whereas the RTSD-printed 100 Baht notes were used as legal currency.

Title: Government of Siam (Printed by TDLR)

These notes represent the initial phase of Series 4 production, printed in London before Thailand's formal name change and wartime alliances. Denominations issued in this category include the 1, 5, 10, 20, and 1000 Baht notes.

1 Baht Banknote - 2 Varieties

a. Signature: Chaiyos Sombat. Prefix range of A/1 to A/52 (Indicating 52 unique prefixes, each representing 100,000 notes).

b. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of A/53 to B/100 (Indicating 148 unique prefixes).

5 Baht Banknote - 1 Variety

a. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of K/1 to K/25 (Indicating 25 unique prefixes).

10 Baht Banknote - 1 Variety

a. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of N/1 to N/15 (Indicating 15 unique prefixes).

20 Baht Banknote - 1 Variety

a. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of P/1 to P/15 (Indicating 15 unique prefixes).

1000 Baht Banknote - 1 Variety

a. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of T/1 00001 to T/1 20000 (Indicating 0.2 prefix, or 20,000 notes issued).

Title: Government of Thailand (Printed by TDLR)

These notes, introduced in March 1940, were printed in London after the country’s official name was changed to "Thailand," reflecting the new national identity. They maintain the high-quality production standards and intricate designs characteristic of TDLR-printed currency. This category includes the 1, 5, 10, and 1000 Baht denominations; notably, no 20 Baht notes were issued with the "Government of Thailand" title from TDLR.

1 Baht Banknote - 2 Varieties

a. Serial numbers on the right side: Thai digits. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of C/1 to D/50 (Indicating 150 unique prefixes).

b. Serial numbers on the right side: Western digits. Signature: Pridi Panomyong. Prefix range of D/51 to D/62 (Indicating 12 unique prefixes).

5 Baht Banknote - 1 Variety

a. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of K/26 to K/27 (Indicating 2 unique prefixes).

10 Baht Banknote - 2 Varieties

a. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Known prefix range of N/16 to N/39 (Indicating at least 24 unique prefixes).

b. Signature: Pridi Panomyong. Known prefix range of N/48 to N/55 (Indicating at least 8 unique prefixes).

Note: The prefixes from N/40 to N/47 have not been recorded or documented by collectors. If you possess information or images of banknotes within this missing prefix range, sharing the details would be a valuable contribution to numismatic research.

1000 Baht Banknote - 1 Variety

a. Signature: Pradit Manudham. Prefix range of T/1 20001 to T/1 40000 (Indicating 0.2 prefix, or 20,000 notes issued).

Title: Government of Thailand (Printed by RSTD)

These banknotes, printed locally in Thailand, are a direct result of wartime supply chain disruptions. The easiest way to identify them is by the printer's name, which appears in Thai script along the bottom edge of both the obverse and reverse. Produced under emergency conditions, these notes are characterized by cruder engravings and inferior paper quality compared to their TDLR counterparts. The denominations issued by the RTSD were the 1, 10, 20, and 100 Baht notes.

1 Baht Banknote - 4 Varieties

The first variety features serial number on the right in Thai digits, while the remaining three varieties use Western digits.

a. Serial numbers on the right side: Thai digits. Signature: Pao Boripanyuthakit. Prefix range of A/1 to A/40 (Indicating 40 unique prefixes).

b. Serial numbers on the right side: Western digits. Signature: Pao Boripanyuthakit. Prefix range of A/41 to C/28 (Indicating 188 unique prefixes).

c. Serial numbers on the right side: Western digits. Signature: Kuang Apaiwong. Prefix range of C/29 to C/32 (Indicating 4 unique prefixes).

d. Serial numbers on the right side: Western digits. Signature: Leng Srisomwong. Prefix C/33.

10 Baht Banknote - 4 Varieties

The first two varieties of the 10 Baht note feature the Constitution on a pedestal watermark, while the final two varieties have a watermark of wavy lines with a printed constitution in the same area.

a. Watermark: Constitution on pedestal. Signature: Pao Boripanyuthakit. Prefix range of N/1 to N/50 (Indicating 50 unique prefixes).

b. Watermark: Constitution on pedestal. Signature: Leng Srisomwong. Prefix range of N/51 to N/57 (Indicating 7 unique prefixes).

c. Watermark: Wavy lines, with the image of the constitution was printed in the watermark area. Signature: Direk Chainam. Prefix range of N/58 to N/82 (Indicating 25 unique prefixes).

d. Watermark: Wavy lines, with the image of the constitution was printed in the watermark area. Signature: Vijit Suritanont. Prefix range of N/83 to N/86 (Indicating 4 unique prefixes).

20 Baht Banknote - 3 Varieties

a. Signature: Pao Boripanyuthakit. Prefix range of P/1 to P/84 (Indicating at least 84 unique prefixes).

b. Signature: Kuang Apaiwong. Known prefix P/83.

c. Signature: Leng Srisomwong. Known prefix P/84 to P/88 (Indicating at least 5 unique prefixes).

Note: Based on available data, there is an overlap in the prefix ranges for the 20 Baht varieties. The signature of Pao Boripanyuthakit is documented on both prefixes P/83 and P/84. Additionally, the signature of Kuang Apaiwong is found on prefix P/83, while Leng Srisomwong's signature begins on P/84. This suggests further numismatic research is required to clarify the exact transition between these varieties.

100 Baht Banknote - 2 Varieties

a. Signature: Kuang Apaiwong. Known prefix range S/1 to S/6 (Indicating at least 6 unique prefixes).

b. Signature: Leng Srisomwong. Known prefix S/6.

The Seri Thai Movement Banknotes

The story of Thailand's Series 4 banknotes is incomplete without mentioning the Seri Thai Movement. This underground resistance movement, which fought against the Japanese occupation and the pro-Japanese government in Thailand during World War II, produced its own counterfeit banknotes with British assistance. These notes were part of a psychological warfare campaign to undermine the Japanese-backed Thai government and its currency. The counterfeit Seri Thai notes have been found on Government of Siam 1 Baht, 5 Baht, and 10 Baht banknotes. While not official legal tender, these "Seri Thai" banknotes are a fascinating historical footnote and are highly sought after by collectors. They represent the clandestine struggle for freedom and national sovereignty during a time of great peril. The existence of these notes, alongside the official government issues, highlights the complex and divided nature of Thai politics during the war.

For more detailed information on the resistance movement, you can read more about the Seri Thai Movement. For more on the notes themselves, you can find further details about Seri Thai Banknotes.

Pridi Panomyong: A Name of Two Titles

For collectors, the presence of two different signatories on the Series 4 banknotes—Pradit Manudham and Pridi Panomyong—is a unique and highly collectible feature, as they refer to the same individual. This rare occurrence adds a fascinating layer to the series, making it a key focus for numismatists.

Born Pridi Panomyong on 11 May 1900, he was a highly accomplished scholar who earned a PhD in law and a diploma in economics from Sciences Po in Paris. Upon his return to Siam in 1927 to work for the Ministry of Justice, he was granted the royal title Luang Praditmanudham. He used this title when signing documents as the Minister of Finance. He was also a key leader of the 1932 Siamese Revolution. He renounced his royal title in 1942, after which he signed banknotes under his birth name, Pridi Banomyong, which explains the name variation found on the currency.

A Timeless Design: The Legacy of Series 4

The iconic design of the Series 4 banknotes had a lasting impact on Thai currency, influencing the aesthetic of later series. The design were reused in the Series 6 and, most notably, in the highly sought-after Series 9. The Series 9 banknotes, which are among the most popular with collectors, directly adopted many of the design elements from Series 4. Series 9 is also significant as it was the first to feature the portrait of King Rama IX and marked Thailand's return to using TDLR for printing after the end of World War II. This reuse of design elements cemented the Series 4's status as a cornerstone of Thai numismatic history.

Conclusion

Thailand's Series 4 banknotes are a historical record of a nation in flux. They reflect the major political and social transformations of the era, from the constitutional change symbolized by the Constitution on a pedestal watermark to the official name change from Siam to Thailand. The dual-production origins, with notes printed by both the British firm TDLR and the domestic RTSD, serve as a tangible link to the geopolitical disruptions of World War II. When viewed alongside the counterfeit notes of the Seri Thai Movement, these banknotes provide a comprehensive picture of a country's struggle for economic and national identity.

The lasting legacy of the Series 4 banknotes is evident in the timeless nature of their design, which was reused in later series. This iconic imagery, featuring the portrait of King Rama VIII and various national landmarks, was carried forward into the highly popular Series 9, which was the first to feature King Rama IX and marked Thailand's return to printing with TDLR after the war. This direct design lineage cements the Series 4's status as a cornerstone of Thai numismatic history, making it a captivating study for collectors and historians alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Series 4 banknotes have two different titles: "Government of Siam" and "Government of Thailand"?

The two different titles reflect the official name change of the country from Siam to Thailand, which occurred on 24 June 1939. Banknotes with the title "Government of Thailand" were subsequently introduced on 7 March 1940. This makes the Series 4 the only series in Thai history to include more than one official state name.

Why was this series printed by two different entities?

The Series 4 banknotes were the first to be produced by more than one printer due to the disruptions of World War II. Initially, the notes were printed by the British firm Thomas De La Rue (TDLR). However, after Thailand allied with Japan and declared war on Britain, it became impossible to obtain notes from the UK. This necessity led to the local production of banknotes by the Royal Thai Survey Department (RTSD) in Thailand.

What is the significance of the watermark on these banknotes?

The watermark is a Constitution on a pedestal, a powerful symbol of Thailand's transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one following the 1932 Siamese Revolution. This design element directly linked the currency to the nation's new political order.

Why do some banknotes feature the signatures of "Pradit Manudham" and others "Pridi Panomyong"?

The two different names refer to the same person, a rare and highly collectible feature of the series. Born Pridi Panomyong, he was granted the royal title Luang Praditmanudham in 1927. He signed notes with this title until he renounced it in 1942, after which he used his birth name, Pridi Panomyong.

How did the design of Series 4 influence later banknotes?

The iconic design of the Series 4 banknotes was so popular that it was reused in the Series 6 and, most notably, in the highly sought-after Series 9. The Series 9 was the first to feature King Rama IX and marked the return to printing with TDLR after the war, cementing the Series 4 design as a cornerstone of Thai numismatic history.