Should the new 1,000 kip note carry pictures of real women?

The Bank of the Lao PDR introduced a new 1,000 kip banknote this month. The new note consists of several components, which will make it harder for forgers to replicate. But many people say the photograph of real women on the note is inappropriate

A trader in Xiengnheun village, Ms Phoy Yangvannavong: I think the new banknote is more colourful than the old one. That’s good because it will encourage more people to use kip, because today everyone’s interested in what’s new and fashionable. It’s easier for vendors if they have plenty of small banknotes so they can give their customers change. Sometimes they give you sweets if they have run out of small denomination banknotes or they set the price of their goods according to the most commonly circulated notes so they don’t have to give change. If there are more small banknotes in circulation it will encourage vendors to keep their prices low, which is much better for consumers. I think it was easier for counterfeiters to copy the old 1,000 kip note because the pictures of women were drawn by hand. But the new note has pictures of real people, which will make it more difficult for criminals to make forgeries.

An employee at Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao, Mr Bounkorn phouthichai: I approve of the new 1,000 kip note because it is more attractive and is also difficult for criminals to copy. The central bank wanted to issue an improved version of the banknote to encourage more people to use it. I think the picture of three real women on the note helps to promote our rich culture. The women come from each of our three main ethnic groups and the pictures show visitors the traditional dress of our people. They can see that Lao women still wear the traditional long skirt (sinh) and the use of a photograph helps to prevent forgeries. I know some countries have pictures of famous scientists or heads of state on their banknotes. I think it would be good for Laos if the new note carried a picture of a leader who had played an important role in helping to develop the country.

An employee at Air Booking, Mr Bounthan Chanpaseud: I realise the bank wanted to use pictures of real women to portray our different ethnic groups, but I think they should have considered whether or not this was really appropriate before making the decision to issue the new note. If visitors see a picture of three women on a banknote they may wonder who they are and whether they are important people in Laos. I know most countries have pictures of their leaders on banknotes. I think the bank should have used the old picture and improved other aspects of the note by redesigning the pattern to make it more attractive. If the bank wants to prevent forgeries, they should incorporate a stamp into banknotes as is done in neighbouring countries.

An office worker, Mr Sommai: I don’t think it’s appropriate for the bank to use a picture of real women to portray our ethnic groups. I think it’s better to draw a picture. The bank should realise that the 1,000 kip note will be in use for a very long time and the next generation might question our priorities and sense of responsibility. Our 20,000 and 50,000 kip notes carry drawings of our leaders. I think if we’re going to have photographs of real people we should portray our country’s leaders to honour their good deeds and perpetuate their memory. If the three women pictured on the new note do something bad in the future, this could affect the image of our currency. I think the best thing is for the central bank to revert to the original design to put a stop to the complaints about the new note.

[PANDAbear]

i like to say my opinion anyway...

i like to see the positive and uniqueness of this new design.
nothing represents a country better than its people. (i think that was well said lol)
i think even if they are not government officials (or what i like to say politicians), they are human beings that live in the country. it's the duty of the government to serve the people, so who better to be on the official currency of a nation than real people?
even if the real people do something bad, it shows they are human. a country should accept all its people as it is and be proud of it in order to buld unity and prosperity...the values of the Lao government. i think the notes could still be forged. i mean, all over the world, people figure out a way to forge money...no matter how advanced the marking system is. I also think that a representation of different ethnicities of lao people is admirable of a country....I think the lao people should be proud to have a representation of the people on a currency note. other countries don't have it...it makes Lao PDR unique.

[ant]

[Aha]

My colleagues said real pic of women make banknote look like the fake one ... they like the draw one .. another thing is ..they point that .... money is symbol of country so they don't think we should put someone's real pic there. I agree with them na ... symbol of country should not put any personal thing on ieieieieie. Heard that they will call back the new banknote with real pic tua .. ( they printed about 100 million nii la ) who has this new banknote ao pai change with bank der (or check it first, i got this info from co-worker na)

Originally Posted by Banknote

The Bank of the Lao PDR introduced a new 1,000 kip banknote this month. The new note consists of several components, which will make it harder for forgers to replicate. But many people say the photograph of real women on the note is inappropriate

i don't care,as long as they are looking good (i preferred them on the bathing suit,would be better,special sao beer laos oh! it's hot) that's better than picture of thong hai hinh or picture of K.P.

[Aha]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

i don't care,as long as they are looking good (i preferred them on the bathing suit,would be better,special sao beer laos oh! it's hot) that's better than picture of thong hai hinh or picture of K.P.

Aoweee if you need those you ka pai buy calendar la ka leow LOL jum pen yunt tong ao pic of beautiful lady maa print on money kakakakakak lol nee nee i guess you never seen calendar of Lao cement maen bo .. ouiiiiiiiiii bak ngarm ngarm ... more beautiful than sao Beerlao eek bok hai lol and difficult to find eek .. every year na their calendar never left to Vientiane jak thuea, but if you go to Vangvieng or Kasii you'll see alot. Who work for Lao cement na .. this year koy khor your calendar duuuuuu LOL joke ....