Counterfeit 1,000 Baht Banknotes Reported in Phayao Market
Local vendors in Phayao's Phu Sang district have reported receiving counterfeit 1,000 baht banknotes, prompting warnings to the public.
Vendors at a fresh market in the Phu Sang district of Phayao province have raised an alarm regarding the circulation of counterfeit 1,000 baht banknotes. According to reports from Khaosod Online, local merchants—including a grocery store owner and a pork vendor—discovered they had been defrauded after accepting fake currency during busy trading periods.
One vendor, Ms. Wannika Chaisri, noted that she received a counterfeit note during the high-traffic period just before the end of Buddhist Lent. She only realized the bill was fraudulent after the rush of customers had subsided. Upon inspection, the counterfeit notes lack the light-reflecting properties found on genuine currency, and the texture of the paper differs significantly from authentic banknotes. The Bank of Thailand has reportedly been contacted to collect and destroy the fake bills.
For residents and travelers, this incident serves as a reminder to exercise caution when handling large-denomination cash. Genuine Thai banknotes feature distinct security elements, such as color-shifting ink that reacts to light when tilted. While this appears to be a localized issue, it highlights the importance of verifying high-value notes during transactions. It remains to be confirmed whether this is an isolated incident or part of a wider distribution network, and authorities have not yet announced any arrests related to the production or circulation of these specific counterfeit bills.
