Date Systems: Thailand

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Thai coins were not dated before 1874, and since have used three different dating systems.

Step 1

Thai dates are read from left to right and use Thai numerals. Using the table below, locate a series of three to four numerals. Most B.E. coins will have the date system characters before the number (see Step 2).

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Step 2

Determine the date system (era) by finding which range the number from Step 1 is included (more or less).

Characters Date System Number Range Dates Used (AD)
จ.ศ. Chula Sakarat (CS) 1236 - 1244 1874 - 1882
ร.ศ. Rattanakosin Sok (RS) 106 - 129 1887 - 1910
พ.ศ. Buddhist Era (BE) 2458 & Up 1915 - Present

Step 3

Take the number from Step 1, and add the corresponding offset for the date system found in Step 2. See the examples below.

Characters Thai Year Conversion
๑ ๒ ๓ ๖ CS1236 1236 + 638 = AD1874
๑ ๒ ๓ RS123 123 + 1781 = AD1904
พ.ศ. ๒ ๕ ๔ ๘ BE2548 2548 - 543 = AD2005