New 100-baht notes to honour Queen Sirikit and Princess Bajrakitiyabha

BANGKOK – The Bank of Thailand (BOT) will issue 20 million commemorative 100-baht banknotes in remembrance of the late Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and Princess Bajrakitiyabha, with the special editions available to the public from 21 December 2026.

BOT Governor Vitai Ratanakorn announced on Monday that the central bank had received royal permission to produce two commemorative banknote designs to honour the contributions of the two members of the royal family and allow the public to obtain them as keepsakes.

Each design will have a face value of 100 baht, with 10 million notes produced per design, bringing the total issuance to 20 million.

The commemorative banknotes will be available at their face value from 21 December at all commercial banks nationwide, as well as the Government Savings Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Housing Bank and Islamic Bank of Thailand.

The front of both designs will be identical to the current Series 17 polymer 100-baht banknote in circulation.

The reverse sides will feature images depicting the royal duties and activities of Queen Sirikit and Princess Bajrakitiyabha, highlighting their contributions to the welfare of the Thai people and the country.

Both designs will also incorporate special fluorescent features that glow under ultraviolet light, using colours and patterns distinct from those found on regular circulating banknotes.

Remembering Queen Sirikit and Princess Bajrakitiyabha

Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, died on 24 October 2025 at the age of 93. She was the wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the mother of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Throughout her decades of royal duties, she was particularly known for her efforts to preserve traditional Thai arts and crafts and improve rural livelihoods.

Her initiatives included the establishment of the SUPPORT Foundation in 1976, which provided vocational training and supplementary income opportunities for rural communities while helping preserve traditional Thai craftsmanship, including silk weaving and embroidery.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, died on 11 June 2026 at the age of 47.

A law graduate of Thammasat University who later earned advanced law degrees from Cornell University in the United States, she served as a public prosecutor and Thailand’s ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014.

She was also known for her work on criminal justice reform, particularly improving conditions for women prisoners and supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Her initiatives included the Kamlangjai Project, also known as the Inspire Project, which sought to provide assistance and opportunities for prisoners and disadvantaged groups.

Commemorative folders also available

In addition to the banknotes, the BOT will produce two million commemorative presentation folders for each design.

The folders will be sold for 10 baht each, with all proceeds presented to His Majesty the King for charitable purposes at his discretion.

The central bank said the commemorative banknotes were intended to express remembrance and gratitude for the royal contributions of Queen Sirikit and Princess Bajrakitiyabha, while giving the public an opportunity to preserve the special editions as keepsakes.