Burma, which is now known as Myanmar, is the largest mainland Southeast Asian country bordered by Bangladesh and India to the northwest, China to the northeast, Laos to the east, Thailand to the southeast, the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. The name change to Myanmar was officially implemented by the ruling military junta in 1989 following the suppression of an uprising.
Historically, Burma became a province of India in 1886 after three Anglo-Burmese Wars. During British occupation, Burma used the rupee until Japan invaded in 1942, leading to the issuance of "JIM" (Japanese Invasion Money) rupee banknotes.
On January 4, 1948, Burma became an independent republic and shifted its currency from the rupee to the kyat. Subsequent changes in government and economic policies saw the establishment of the People’s Bank of Burma and later the Union of Burma Bank.
In 1990, post the official renaming of Burma to Myanmar, the Central Bank of Myanmar introduced the King Lion family of banknotes featuring King Lion (Chinthe) on the front and different scenes in Myanmar at the back. These notes are in 200, 500, and 1000 kyats.
Hyperinflation in 2009 and 2012 led to the introduction of 5000 and 10,000 kyat banknotes. In 2020, the Central Bank announced a new series of banknotes featuring General Aung San in national dress. The 1000 kyat note was released on the 72nd anniversary of Burmese independence, and the 500 kyat note was introduced on Martyr’s Day.
