The pyrolysis characteristics of a series of bituminous coals, along with an anthracite and a lignite, were studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The kinetic parameters were determined by the integral method assuming that coal pyrolysis is a first-order reaction. The chemical coal structure was determined by means of diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS), whereas the thermoplastic properties of the coals were studied by applying Gieseler plastometry. The kinetic parameters obtained are discussed in relation to the chemical structure, thermoplastic properties, rank and volatile matter evolution of the coal. In addition, the origin of the "kinetic compensation effect" between the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor for these bituminous coals was investigated.