Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Thai Baht (THB) Notes
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How to Identify Counterfeit Thai Baht (฿) Currency Notes
Thai baht banknotes are pretty tough to fake, but that doesn’t stop people from trying. The latest series, introduced by the Bank of Thailand, has a mix of old-school and high-tech security – from raised prints you can feel to hidden watermarks you’ll only spot when you hold them up to the light. Here’s a quick guide to help you when it comes to spotting a real baht from a fake one.
Key Security Features of Thai Baht Notes
The Bank of Thailand advocates a straightforward yet effective three-step method, FEEL, LOOK, and TILT, for authenticating banknotes.
1. Banknote Paper: Genuine Thai Baht banknotes are printed on special paper predominantly made from cotton fiber. The thickness of the paper is also intentionally varied between denominations.
2. Raised Print (Intaglio): Several key elements on the banknotes are produced using the intaglio printing technique. This includes the portrait of H.M. The King, the denomination numerals (both words and figures), etc.
1. Watermark: When a genuine banknote is held up to the light, a watermark depicting the portrait of H.M. The King, along with a translucent image of the denomination numeral, becomes clearly visible from both sides of the note.
2. Security Thread: All denominations have a metallic security thread embedded within the banknote paper. When held against the light, this thread appears as a continuous dark line. The thread also contains microprinted text, typically the denomination.
3. See-Through Register: Genuine banknotes have elements printed on the front and back that align perfectly to form a complete image or numeral when the note is held up to the light. For Series 17 notes, this often includes the Garuda emblem or the denomination numeral.
4. Clear Window (Polymer Notes): The Series 17 20 Baht polymer banknote features one or more transparent windows. These windows are an integral part of the polymer substrate and may contain embossed or printed elements, such as the denomination.
1. Latent Image/Numbers: Hidden numerals, usually corresponding to the note's denomination, are incorporated, often found in the lower-left corner of the banknote. These latent images become visible when the banknote is tilted.
2. Color-Shifting Ink: Higher denomination banknotes, specifically the 500 Baht and 1000 Baht Series 17 notes, utilize color-shifting ink on certain design elements, such as Thai ornamental patterns or the denomination numerals.
A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit Thai Baht Currency by Denomination
Every US dollar bill comes with its own set of security features, and knowing what to look for in each one makes spotting a fake a whole lot easier.
| Denomination | Note Color | Raised Intaglio Print | Watermark | Security Thread | See-Through Register | Latent Number | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Baht | Green | King's portrait, numerals, 10 slanted bars, 8-petaled flower (Braille) | Portrait of King Vajiralongkorn | Printed strip on polymer with "20 BAHT" text | Garuda emblem | 20' to the left of the King's shoulder | Clear windows with embossed '20' and color-shifting effect (yellow to red) |
| 50 Baht | Blue | King's portrait, numerals, royal emblem | King's portrait with '50' | Metallic thread with "50 BAHT" text | Garuda emblem | 50' to the left of the King's shoulder | N/A |
| 100 Baht | Red | King's portrait, monograms, and floral design | King's portrait with '100' | Windowed thread with "100 BAHT" (color shifts pink to green) | Garuda emblem | 100' to the left of the King's shoulder | Glittering golden ink that changes shades when tilted |
| 500 Baht | Purple | King's portrait, numerals, royal emblem | King's portrait with '500' | Windowed thread with "500 BAHT" (shifts magenta, orange, yellow) | Garuda emblem | 500' in patterned area | Dynamic color-shifting ink (gold to green), holographic effects |
| 1000 Baht | Brown | King's portrait, numerals, royal emblem | King's portrait with '1000' | Metallic thread (gold to green shift) with "1000 BAHT" | Garuda emblem | 1000' to the left of the King's shoulder | Dynamic color-shifting ink (gold to green), 16-petaled flower design |
1. 20 Baht Banknote (Green color)
- Raised print (intaglio): It is present on the King's portrait and the denomination numerals. There are other marks, such as ten slanted bars on the center-left and center-right edges, and an eight-petaled flower arranged as the Braille character.
- Clear Windows: Two transparent windows are key features. The upper window contains multiple small embossed '20's. The lower, larger window features a yellow '20' in its center, with another smaller transparent '20' below it.
- Watermark-like Feature: While traditional watermarks are paper-based, the polymer note features an image of King Vajiralongkorn's head, visible when held to light.
- Security Thread: A vertical security thread (or printed strip on polymer) displays the repeating text "20 BAHT".
- See-Through Register: A Garuda emblem, the national emblem of Thailand, is printed on the upper right corner of the obverse with perfect registration with elements on the reverse.
- Latent Number: The numeral '20' is hidden in a patterned area to the left of the King's shoulder and becomes visible when the note is tilted.
- Color-Shifting Effect (Lower Clear Window): The lower clear window exhibits a color-shifting effect, changing from translucent yellow to red when the note is tilted.
2. 50 Baht Banknote (Blue color)
- Raised intaglio print: It is present on the King's portrait, the denomination numerals, and the royal emblem.
- Watermark: A watermark of the bust of King Vajiralongkorn facing front, with the denomination numeral '50' below it, is visible when held to light.
- Security Thread: A vertical security thread is embedded in the paper, displaying repeating text "50 BAHT".
- See-Through Register: A Garuda emblem is located on the upper right corner of the obverse, aligning perfectly with its reverse counterpart.
- Latent Number: The numeral '50' is concealed in a patterned area to the left of the King's shoulder.
3. 100 Baht Banknote (Red)
- Raised intaglio print: It is used for the King's portrait, monograms, denomination numerals, and the numeral '100' within a floral design. Other features include ten slanted bars on the center-left and center-right edges, and an eight-petaled flower arranged as the Braille character.
- Watermark: A watermark of King Vajiralongkorn's head with the denomination '100' below it.
- Security Thread: A vertical metallic security thread, windowed in four sections on the obverse, contains the repeating text "100 BAHT". The thread also exhibits color-shifting properties, changing from pink to green when viewed from different angles.
- See-Through Register: A Garuda emblem on the upper right of the obverse forms a complete image with elements on the reverse when held to light.
- Latent Number: The numeral '100' is hidden to the left of the King's shoulder.
- Color-Shifting Ink/Effects: The numeral '100' located in the center of a five-petaled flower (to the right of the King's portrait) is printed with glittering golden ink that changes shades of gold when the note is tilted.
4. 500 Baht Banknote (Purple color)
- Raised intaglio print: The note features raised intaglio print on the King's portrait, denomination numerals, and the royal emblem.
- Watermark: H.M. The King's portrait and the translucent denomination '500'.
- Security Thread: A windowed, color-shifting security thread is embedded. It contains the inscription “500 BAHT”. When tilted, the thread displays a holographic effect with moving boxes and shifts in color between magenta, orange, and yellow.
- See-Through Register: A complete front-and-back registered design, likely the Coat of Arms of Thailand (Garuda), is present.
- Latent Number: Hidden Arabic numeral '500' is located in the patterned area on the lower left.
- Dynamic Color-Shifting Ink: Some parts of the Thai baht banknotes, like the denomination numbers and intricate Thai patterns, are printed with a special ink that changes color. When you tilt the note, these designs shift from gold to green. Additionally, a flower design in the center-right of the obverse is printed with color-shifting ink that changes between deep gold and neon yellow.
5. 1000 Baht Banknote (Brown color)
- Raised intaglio print: It is found on the King's portrait, denomination numerals, and the royal emblem. Other marks include ten slanted bars located on the left of the top edge and the left of the bottom edge, and an eight-petaled flower arranged as the Braille character.
- Watermark: An image of H.M. King Vajiralongkorn with the denomination '1000' below it.
- Security Thread: A vertical metallic security thread that changes color from gold to green when tilted. It contains the repeating microprinted text "1000 BAHT".
- See-Through Register: A Garuda emblem on the upper right of the obverse aligns perfectly with elements on the reverse.
- Latent Number: The numeral '1000' is hidden in a patterned area to the left of the King's shoulder.
- Dynamic Color-Shifting Ink: The denomination '1000', located within a sixteen-petaled flower design to the right of the King's portrait, is printed with dynamic color-shifting ink and changes color from gold to green when the note is tilted.
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