Thais flock to exchange for last batch of coins of King Bhumibol era

BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) -- A large crowd of the Thais has been queuing up to exchange for the two new coins to commemorate His late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, both in a 20-baht denomination, the last two series of coins produced with His late King Bhumibol's royal permission. One is to mark 100 years of Thai cooperatives, and the other to commemorate Thailand's entry into the Asean Economic Community (AEC). Both are made of a mixture of nickel and copper. The coins would be released to the public on March 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 from 8pm-6pm at the Treasury Department's coin distribution unit while those living in other provinces can exchange for the set of coins at their respective local treasury offices nationwide. With an ID card, an individual can buy one set of five coins -- two AEC coins, two Thai cooperatives coins and a coin to commemorate 50 years of royal rainmaking. A total of 150,000 coin sets would be produced, 60,000 of which would be distributed to the units in Bangkok. The giving out of the coin sets in other provinces would be based on the population ratio, with Nakhorn Ratchasima receiving the highest quota of 4,000 sets. (END)