Thai banknotes and their signatures 06b - King Rama IX - 1948 issue /2

Four more signature combinations can be found on the notes issued as the 9th series (Rama IX - 1948 issue). For the others, see : thai-banknotes-and-their-signatures-06a.html

King Rama IX - 1948

Signature combinations 31 - 34 came in circulation by the end of 1949.

For a while, the signature of Mr. Dej S(a)nidvong remained on the notes, as Governor of the Bank of Thailand, until the reappearance of Mr. Serm Vinicchayakul. (sign. 25, 26 and 34)

Combination 31 : MoF :  M17 Field Marshal Plaek Piboonsongkram [13 Oct 1949 - 18 Jul 1950]
                             BoT :  B11 M.L. Dej S(a)nidvong [4 Aug 1949 - 29 Feb 1952]

Field Marshal Plaek Piboonsongkram

Field Marshal Plaek Piboonsongkram was prime Minister of Thailand, during the second world war.
He had strong bonds with the facist parties of Italy, nazi Germany and Japan.
After WWII, he became prime Minister again, but with the young and unexperienced King Rama IX on the throne (represented by various regents), he installed a de facto dictatorship. He had the highest rank in the army, the navy and the royal air force.

Combination 32 : MoF :  M18 Pra Manupanavimonsart (Chom Jamornman) [18 Jul 1950 - 28 Nov 1951]
                             BoT :  B11 M.L. Dej S(a)nidvong [4 Aug 1949 - 29 Feb 1952]

Pra Manupanavimonsart

Combination 33 : MoF :  M19 Gen. Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit [8 Dec 1951 - 30 Mar 1953]
                             BoT :  B11 M.L. Dej S(a)nidvong [4 Aug 1949 - 29 Feb 1952]

Combination 34 : MoF :  M19 Gen. Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit [8 Dec 1951 - 30 Mar 1953]
                             BoT :  B08/12  Mr. Serm Vinicchayakul [1 Mar 1952 - 24 Jul 1955] 

see signature combinations 25 and 26

to be continued...

Thai banknotes and their signatures 06a - King Rama IX - 1948 issue

From 1948 on a complete new set of banknotes were issued.
This is known as the 9th series of banknotes. They were printed between 1948 and 1955, and were in use at the time of the coronation of King Rama IX in 1950. Rama IX was officially installed at the age of 18.

In the video above, you find a British newflash of the coronation of King Bumibol (Phumiphon) in 1950.

For this 9th series of banknotes, the signature on the left is from the Finance Minister, the one on the right, of the governor of the Bank of Thailand.
The first set of notes, bare signature combinations 27 to 34.

Although all notes have two signatures again, there is one note (50 satang), that has only one signature.
'Combination' 27, therefore only appears on one single banknote.

Combination 27 : MoF :  M13 Prince Vivadhanajaya [11 Nov 1947 - 8 Apr 1948]
                             BoT : -

Prince Vivadhanajaya

Prince Vivadhanajaya (grandson of King Rama IV). He was Govenor of the Bank of Thailand, then minister of Finance, then again Governor of the BoT, to end as Finance Minister again.

Combination 28 : MoF :  M14 Prince Vivadhanajaya [11 Nov 1947 - 8 Apr 1948]
                             BoT :  B09 Leng Srisomwong [25 Nov 1947 - 2 Sep 1948]

Leng Srisomwong

The 1, 5, 10 and 20 baht-notes, come with red and black serial numbers. Those with red serial numbers are more rare, thus more expensive.

Thailand Pick 069b - signature combination 28

Thailand Pick 069b - signature combination 28

Thailand Pick 069b - reverse

Note: the right signatures is printed on the area of the watermark.

For combination 29, Prince Vivadhanajava becomes Governor of the Bankt of Thailand, and his signature moves to the right, a new minister of Finance, Visut Tonavanik (noble title: Praya Tonavanikmontri) signs to the left

Combination 29 : MoF : M15 Praya Tonavanikmontri (Visut Tonavanik) [15 Apr 1948 - 30 Nov 1948] 
                             BoT :  B10 Prince Vivadhanajaya [11 Nov 1947 - 8 Apr 1948]

Praya Tonavanikmontri (Visut Tonavanik)

Combination 30 : MoF : M14/16 Prince Vivadhanajaya [30 Nov 1948 - 13 Oct 1949]

                             BoT :  B11 M.L. Dej S(a)nidvong* [4 Aug 1949 - 29 Feb 1952]

Here, Prince Viviadhanajava reappears as Finance Minister, and a new Governor of the BoT is added.

M.L. Dej S(a)nidvong

* For Thai speakers, the combination "s+n" is hard to pronounce, they will add an 'a' to make it easier.

to be continued...

Thai banknotes and their signatures 05 - Early years of Rama IX

Signature combination 24, see : http://rainbowstampsandcoins.blogspot.com/2024/09/thai-banknotes-and-their-signatures-04b.html came on the banknotes when King Rama IX was already in charge, but since the coronation took place in 1950, Rama VIII banknotes were in use till then.
The same goes for the signature combinations 25 and 26

young King Rama IX - Bhumibol Adulyadej

Combinations 25 and 26, again with two signatures:

Now on the left is the signature of the Minister of Finance.
When we look closely, the signatures of the ministers here, were already on the banknotes before. In combination 25, we find again the signature of Praya Srivisaravaja (comb. 22), and in combination 26, the one of Mr. Vijit Lulitanon (comb. 24)

As minister of Governor of the Bank of Thailand (now right), we find the signature of Mr. Serm Vinicchayakul. On a later combination, we will find his signature again, but then as Minister of Finance (comb. 37).

Mr. Serm Vinicchayakul

Combination 25: MRT : M12 Praya Srivisaravaja [2 Feb 1946 - 24 Mar 1946]
                            BoT :  B08 Mr. Serm Vinicchayakul [17 Oct 1946 - 24 Nov 1947]

Combination 26: MRT : M13 Mr. Vijit Lulitanon [24 Aug 1946 - 8 Nov 1947]
                            BoT :  B08 Mr. Serm Vinicchayakul [17 Oct 1946 - 24 Nov 1947]

In 1946, a 100 baht-note was issued with signature 26. The same note with signature 25 might exist, but has never been confirmed.
This note was re-issued later, with signature 28 (see Rama IX signatures).

to be continued....

Thai banknotes and their signatures 04a - Siam Government

The 4th era of Thai signatures, are the ones issued under the rule of King Ananda Madihol, or Rama VIII.
Rama VIII came to rule after the abdication of his uncle, Rama VII.
By the end of his reign, King Rama VII was no longer the absolute monarch of Thailand/Siam.
Therefore, he could not appoint his successor himself.
As the prince Chula Chakrabongse already was excluded from the throne (see: https://rainbowstampsandcoins.blogspot.com/2024/09/thai-banknotes-and-their-signatures-03.html),
the first in line became another son of King Rama V, with his 7th wife.
Mahidol Adulyadej, 69th child of King Rama (yes),

Prince Mahidol Adulyadej

The prince could not make it to the throne, for the simple reason that he already deceased by then.
As the new successor to the throne, now was appointed by the government, the eldest son of the prince, was appointed to be the new king. The boy however was only 9 years old at that time, and lived in Switzerland. It was convenient (or not?) for the new government, to have such a young king on the throne, who had never ever been in Thailand/Siam. At the age of 13, the young prince visited Thailand for the first time,

He returned to Switzerland, to finish his studies, and returned to his kingdom after the second world war, in December 1945. Right away, he became the people's favourite.
An unfortunate accident (?), ended the boy's life even before he was officially installed as king.
It was his brother,  Phra Chaoyuhua Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, who granted him the royal title after his death, making King Ananda Madihol the 8th kind of the Chakri-dynasty.

King Ananda Madihol in 1946

Opposite to what you might think, during the 'reign' of Rama VIII, at least 14 different signature combinations can be found. All of the banknotes, bare the image of the young Rama VIII.

Under the 'Siam' government, two additional signature combinations can be found:
Here again, only a Minister of Finance signed.

Combination 15: BoT :  -                               

                            MRT : M04 Praya Chaiyasombat
                                        (Serm Krisnamara) [12 Feb 1936 - 19 Dec 1938]

Praya Chaiyasombat

Combination 16: BoT :  -                          
                            MRT : M05 Luang Pradidmanutham (noble title)
                                       (Mr. Preedee Panomyong) [20 Dec 1938 - 17 Dec 1941]

Mr. Preedee Panomyong was the man under whose influence, the government decided to hand the throne to the young Anana Madihol.
He was a powerful statesman, who had a hand in the transformation from Siam to Thailand, from the absolute monarchy to a quasi-democratic monarchy, ...
29 March 1934 – 12 February 1935 : Minister of Interior
12 July 1936 – 13 December 1938 : Minister of Foreign Affairs
20 December 1938 – 16 December 1941 : Minister of Finance
16 December 1941 – 5 December 1945 : Regent of Thailand - till the return of the King VIII
24 March 1946 – 23 August 1946 : Prime Minister and Minister of Finance - under King Rama IX

Mr. Preedee Panomyong

to be continued...

Thai banknotes and their signatures 03

For the third period of signatures on Thai banknotes, this article deals with the notes issued under the ruling of King Rama VII, Prajadhipok.

King Rama VII

Prajadhipok became king, after the his brother, Rama VI died in 1925, after a reign of only 15 years.
Rama VII, the younger brother of Rama VI, was the 32th (!) child of Rama V.
He ruled more or less between the two world wars, and was the last absolute monarch of Thailand (Siam at that time).

At first, he was not meant the be the next king of Thailand.
There was one prince higher in rank, Field Marshal Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, the Prince of Phitsanulok.

Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath

He was the 40th (!!) child of Rama V, but he died in 1920. Logically, his son, Prince Chula Chakrabongse would be in line for the throne.

Prince Chula Chakrabongse

However, his father had married a foreigner (Ukraine) and a recently enforced Succession Law, barred him from the throne.

In his short life, Rama VII died at the age of 47, he was only king for a period of 10 years.
Only 4 different signatures were used during his life, but he was the first king having his portrait on the Thai notes issued in 1934-35.

First difference is, that all of the notes only bare one signature, that of a minister of Finance.
Another change with the previous banknotes, is that for the first time the currency is the thai Baht, and no longer the 'Tical' (one Tical equals one Baht).

Combination 11 : BoT :  -

                             MRT : T5 Praya Komarakunmontri [26 Oct 1929 - 9 Apr 1932]

Praya Komarakunmontri

From here on, banknotes were signed by a Minister of Finance, hence the new numbering 'M'

Combination 12 : BoT :  -

                             MRT : M01 Praya Manopakornnititad [29 Jun 1932 - 23 Jun 1933]

Praya Manopakornnititad

Combination 13 : BoT :  -

                             MRT : M02 Chaopraya Sritanmatibet [24 Jun 1933 - 21 Sep 1934]

Chaopraya Sritanmatibet

Sritanmatibet had the highest nobility rank, below the royals (such as Prince).
'Chaopraya' is a higher rank than 'Praya', and 'Praya' again is a higher rank than 'Pra'.
Next to the rank, also a specific title is given to noblemen. But not only noblemen got ranked and titled in Thailand.

Ranks and titles were also given to monks, the Royal boats, Elephants and horses, and even the river that flows through Bangkok has the rank of Chaopraya!

Combination 14 : BoT :  -

                             MRT : M03 Praya Manavarajsevi [22 Sep 1934 - 1 Aug 1935]

Praya Manavarajsevi

to be continued...

Thai banknotes and their signatures 02

The second period of signatures on Thai banknotes, runs from 1910 till 1925, when King Rama VI was ruling.

King Rama VI - Vajiravudh

Rama VI, or King Vajiravudh, son of King Rama V, ruled less than 15 years, but he introduced family names in Thai society, and his love for literature made him translate serveral works of Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. Under his rule, all Thai were entitled to follow elementary education.

During his reign, 5 new signature combinations can be found on the banknotes. By the end of his life, some banknotes were issued with only one signature too.

For the combinations 5, 6, 7 and 8, Prince Kitiya Woralak signed for the Royal Treasury.
The signature of the Bank Official changed 4 times.

Combination 5 : BoT :  B3 Pra Manatmanit [21 Aug 1909 - 1 Jan 1917]

Pra Manatmanit (B3)

                            MRT : T3 Prince Chantaburinarunat [1 Apr 1908 - 17 Jan 1922] 

Praya Chaiyossomba

Combination 6 : BoT :  B4 Praya Chaiyossombat [1 Jan 1917 - 6 Dec 1920]
                           MRT : T3 Prince Chantaburinarunat [1 Apr 1908 - 17 Jan 1922]

Combination 7 : BoT :  no signature
                           MRT : T3 Prince Chantaburinarunat [1 Apr 1908 - 17 Jan 1922]

Combination 8 : BoT :  B5 Praya Thep Ratananarin [6 Dec 1920 -17 Jul 1925]

Praya Thep Ratananarin (B5)

                            MRT : T3 Prince Chantaburinarunat [1 Apr 1908 - 17 Jan 1922]

It might be confusing, but signature combination 5 and 8 are actually the same people.
In the 5th combination, we find the signature of Pra Manatmanit, where in combination 8, the signature reads as Praya Thep Ratananarin. The difference is the nobility rank that was given.
"Pra" is a lower rank than "Praya". In Thai nobility, next to the rank, also a title is given (often by the King himself). After getting promoted, Pra Mananmanit, became Praya Thep Ratanarin. His signature changed and was know with his highest title afterwards.

Pra Manatmanit (B3) /
Praya Thep Ratananarin (B5)

Combination 9 : BoT :  B5 Praya Thep Ratananarin [6 Dec 1920 -17 Jul 1925]

                           MRT : T4 Prince Supayok Kasem [17 Jan 1922 - 26 Dec 1929]

On this 9th combination of signatures, we encounter again a prince, Prince Kashemsri Subhayok, the Prince Divakaravongse Pravati, son of Rama IV, and brother of King Rama V. 

Prince Supayok Kasem

On combination 10, we only find one signature, Prince Supayok Kasem, minister of Finance.
As Prince Kasem Supayok survived his uncle, Rama VI, his signature continues on the later notes.

to be continued...