Bangkok: The Treasury Department has issued a clarification regarding the composition of the 10-baht coin, emphasizing that the metal is not brass but "aluminum bronze," following social media claims that the coins could be fashioned into jewelry. The department reiterated that counterfeiting coins is a punishable offense.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Boonchob Wisespreecha, the spokesman for the Treasury Department, addressed a social media clip that showed 10-baht coins being used to make rings and necklaces. The clip suggested that the inner metal of the coin was brass, but the department confirmed that it is actually composed of 92% copper, 2% nickel, and 6% aluminum, forming a single metal coin. Brass, in contrast, consists of copper and zinc without nickel or aluminum.
The Treasury Department also highlighted the legal implications of counterfeiting under the Currency Act of 1958 and its amendments. Section 9 of the Act prohibits the unauthorized creation, sale, use, or issuance of objects or symbols in place of currency, with violators facing imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to fifty thousand baht, or both. Additionally, the Criminal Code sections related to forgery and alteration outline further penalties.
The department reported that as of April 30, 2025, there are 2,992.9 million 10-baht coins in circulation, with 40 million coins produced in the fiscal year 2024. A total of 208.8 million coins will be available for exchange until June 2027, ensuring sufficient supply for the economy.
Efforts are ongoing to investigate the incident shown in the clip, and the Treasury Department encourages anyone with information about such activities to contact their Call Center at 0 2059 4999 for further legal action.