Bank of Thailand warns people of fake notes

With a sharp increase in the number of counterfeit bills, the Bank of Thailand has warned people to be wary of fake bills.

Nopporn Pramojaney, the official in charge of printing bills, said high-denomination fakes are likely to be circulated during the New Year holiday. He urged residents to be especially wary of 1,000-baht notes, worth about $28.50.

The bank seized 18,895 counterfeit notes in the 12 months that ended Nov. 30, Nopporn said. The majority of the seized counterfeits are 1,000-baht notes. In the previous year, 10,819 notes were seized. Nopporn suggested hard times may be luring more people into counterfeiting.