Cents and Fiscal Sensibilities in Bangkok's Bank of Thailand Museum
Cents and Fiscal Sensibilities in Bangkok's Bank of Thailand Museum
Contained inside the Bang Khunphrom Palace and Thevaves Palace Main Mansions lies a Thai institution cum research centre devoted to the monetary heritage of the Asian kingdom of Thailand. Tracing the evolution of Thai currency throughout the ages the Bank of Thailand Museum exhibits ancient moneys from Sri Vijaya, Davaravati and Funan kingdoms right down to the monetary developments of the nation in the recent past. In addition, the museum also documents the history of Thailand's banking heritage with the inception of the Bank of Thailand and the 690 years since.
Highlights include the World of Money Exhibit on the south wing of the ground floor of the museum in which lies the Ancient Money display. Complemented by animation and multimedia devices the exhibit focuses on prehistoric items such as bronze axes, stone bracelets, blue beads, stone earrings, Ban Chiang potteries, stone axes and Ban Chiang earthen beads in addition to Dvaravati currency. The Srivijayan Empire's nutmeg coins and the Lavapura Coins of the U-Thong City are also featured here as are a host of local coins such as the Hoy, Tok, Laad, Jiang, Pak Mu and Bai Mai coins.
The Pod Duang Coins exhibit on the other hand contains the Sukhothai Period currency which served the people of the kingdom for over 600 years till it was nullified by the Rattanakosin Dynasty's King Rama V. The complete collection of Pod Duang Coins in the museum also includes Pod Duang Thong Kam gold coins and the trumpet flower coin known as the Pod Duang Chor Ram Poey which is displayed alongside minting equipment and dioramas.
The Thai Coins exhibit is another point of interest inside the premises as it features historic coins dating back to the era of King Rama III, the Tae Meng Coin of King Rama IV's time, King Rama V's Nuad coin as well as the Gold Prototype coin belonging to the period of King Rama VI. Other must-see exhibits within the museum include the International Bank Notes Room and the History and Series of Banknotes display which explores the changes in bank note design, colour, and printing methods. Materials used to manufacture the notes are also featured while also displaying oddities of bank note publication such as the mourning bank note, one-faced bank note and the ploughing bank note. The Chirdchukiart Room is also worth the visit as it deals with the biographies of BOT governors over the years with candid interviews, video presentations and keynote speeches delivered by the bank's distinguished governors alumni.
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