Treasury wants to buy all those coins you don't want

Two of the trucks where people can swap coins for banknotes. The side opens up and has a window where the exchange can be made. (Photo: Treasury Department)

Mobile coin exchange units are hitting the roads to encourage people to swap the loose change they have collected for easier to handle banknotes, so the coins can be recycled.

The modified trucks, which are green and clearly marked with the Treasury Department logo, have a window along the side where the coins can be exchanged for notes of equal value.

One began operating in Pathum Thani province on Monday and three in Ayutthaya province. They will move to other areas throughout this and next month.

The other targeted provinces are Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Nakhon Pathom, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok and Sarburi provinces.

Treasury Department director-general Amnuay Preemonwong hopes the mobile units will encourage people to exchange the coins they collect at home for banknotes.

Currently, only about 30% of the 32 billion coins worth 50 billion baht in circulation are exchanged for notes. The old coins are returned to the mint and melted down to make new coins. This recycling is cheaper than using new materials.

Mr Amnuay expects the mobile units to collect about 5 million more coins each month.

The coin-exchange mobile units will be open at these scheduled locations and dates from 10am-3pm:

Jan 15

Pathum Wilai School, Muang district, Pathum Thani

Jan 15-16

Ayothaya Municipality Office, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya district, Ayutthaya

Aranyik Municipality Office, Nakhon Luang district, Ayutthaya

Jan 21-22

Tambon Pho En Administration Organisation office, Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya

Jan 23-24

Tambon Wang Daeng Administration Organisation office, Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya

Jan 25-26

Tambon Ban Rom Administration Organisation office, Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya

Jan 27-28

Tambon Jao Sanuk Administration Organisation office, Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya

Jan 29-30

Tambon Nong Khak Administration Organisation office, Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya

Jan 31-Feb 1

Tambon Pak Tha Administration Organisation office, Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya

Feb 4-6

Ayothaya Municipality Office, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya district, Ayutthaya

Feb 7-8

Aranyik Municipality Office, Nakhon Luang district, Ayutthaya

Other places will be announced by the Treasury Department.