Banknote Billet Thailand 50 baht roi Rama IX 1996

The 50 baht banknote issued by Thailand in 1996 belongs to a particularly notable commemorative series in the history of Thai numismatics. It is a banknote made of polymer, a synthetic material that distinguishes this issue from traditional cotton or conventional fiduciary paper banknotes. This polymer substrate gives the banknote specific properties in terms of resistance and durability, while allowing the integration of security features particular to this type of medium.

This banknote is associated with the figure of King Rama IX, also known as Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand's iconic monarch whose reign was the longest in the country's history. His representation on this commemorative banknote reflects the central role of the monarchy in Thai culture and monetary iconography. King Rama IX is a recurring figure on Thai monetary issues, and his presence on this polymer series holds particular significance in the context of the year 1996.

The banknote displays a face value of 50 baht, the official monetary unit of the Kingdom of Thailand. Its weight is 1 gram, which is characteristic of polymer banknotes, generally lighter than their traditional paper equivalents at comparable dimensions.

Thailand's issuance of polymer banknotes in 1996 is part of an international trend initiated notably by Australia from the late 1980s onwards, consisting of adopting this medium for certain denominations or commemorative series. This banknote thus constitutes a concrete testimony to the technological evolution in the production of fiduciary signs, as well as a numismatic document reflecting a specific period in Thai monetary history.