Covid-19: Major Thai bank stops exchanging foreign money

[CLW]

Super Rich will be happy about that

[Jonathan Swift]

9 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Do they know something the government doesn't know, or isn't telling us? Seems a little heavy handed given the allegedly very low numbers confirmed in Thailand.

What, you think banks and the government are not intimately and incestuously involved with each other on all matters, that there would be such paranoia fueled "secrets"? Why not take a look at what medical science has to say - coronaviruses do not survive long enough on such surfaces for disease to be transmitted that way. Unless of course someone is wiping their infected noses with bills  and passing them. So yeah, it's about what someone "doesn't know" - it's about pure ignorance and desperation. 

[damascase]

Cash quarantine: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-southkorea-money/skoreas-central-bank-burns-quarantines-cash-in-coronavirus-precaution-idUSL4N2AZ1TL

[david555]

2 minutes ago, damascase said:

Cash quarantine: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-southkorea-money/skoreas-central-bank-burns-quarantines-cash-in-coronavirus-precaution-idUSL4N2AZ1TL

Happens in normal times also ...burning old ...damaged or dirty bills .....,but maybe now just a bit quicker and printing quicker new ones ...

[digger70]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Covid-19: Major Thai bank stops exchanging foreign money

Why? they can Sterilise the banknotes .To much trouble? Yep that's Thailand Land off social misfits

[Susco]

2 hours ago, Just Weird said:

Why would it be as Thai notes have also been through the same unlimited number of hands?!

 

1 hour ago, mngmn said:

Unlike the pure as snow Thai Baht?

What you all conveniently forget is that Thai Baht notes are circulating within Thailand, where there are limited infections reported, while those foreign notes all come from countries where there are many more infections and deaths

[scubascuba3]

7 minutes ago, Susco said:

 

What you all conveniently forget is that Thai Baht notes are circulating within Thailand, where there are limited infections reported, while those foreign notes all come from countries where there are many more infections and deaths

you realise everyone here plus other countries are skeptical at the number of victims in Thailand?

Edited March 9, 2020 by scubascuba3

[Susco]

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

you realise everyone here plus other countries are skeptical at the number of victims in Thailand?

No I only know about the TV cynics.

 

You have a credible link where other countries have cast doubts about the Thai figures?

[scubascuba3]

5 minutes ago, Susco said:

No I only know about the TV cynics.

 

You have a credible link where other countries have cast doubts about the Thai figures?

Yes, here's a recent one. Quatar banning passengers from Thailand.

 

https://pattayaone.news/qatar-bans-passengers-from-pakistan-13-other-countries-amid-coronavirus-fears/

[Tony125]

2 hours ago, Tony125 said:

Sure it does, the Virus scare has caused the stock market to drop over 3,000 points. With lower economy outlook the dollar  has fallen against the baht once again.

CoronVirus depressing economy

 

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/coronavirus-does-worrying-increase-risk-getting-sick-082137959--abc-news-topstories.html

[Susco]

12 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes, here's a recent one. Quatar banning passengers from Thailand.

 

https://pattayaone.news/qatar-bans-passengers-from-pakistan-13-other-countries-amid-coronavirus-fears/

I read it a few times, but can you point me where in the article it even remotely insinuates that Qatar casts doubts on the official figures?

 

 

[Bangkok Barry]

10 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

I can't help but wonder how many cases have NOT been reported, or are part of the "official figures", in order to "save face" and "protect the image of Thailand". 

Social media will certainly have exposed any cover-up. No more secrets these days. Health workers on the front line would certainly have reported the situation, as well as family members of sufferers.

[0zr0cks]

16 minutes ago, Susco said:

I read it a few times, but can you point me where in the article it even remotely insinuates that Qatar casts doubts on the official figures?

 

 

Ummm! The ban does it by implication 

[Hoppyone]

11 hours ago, Liverpoolfan said:

That's it, slam the final nail in Thailand's tourism coffin why don't you.

There wont be a single tourist left at this rate.

 

Imagine coming here for the first time. Taxi driver shouts you over for a lift.., hang on a minute mate, just need to change some money.. 

Everyone will fall at the first hurdle!!????

 

That’s if the taxi driver wants to take you where your wanting to go ,after he asks you where your going before you get into cab so he can decide if he wants you,then the next problem is getting him to put his metre on all not so great for tourists 

[Elkski]

I suppose the business at exchange booths was down.   Usually not so many people dumb enough to not see the better rate at the booth 10 meters away.    Money  freshly  touched by grimy foreign  travelers could surely be a risk.  Why not shut things down  now.  So hard to see the exchange rates.   Probably more a financial decision than virus risk.   Dont  Thai companies just need to pay 2 months pay then  they are off the hook?

Edited March 9, 2020 by Elkski

[saakura]

10 hours ago, bluesofa said:

Apart from the 100 Baht notes. The ink washes out of those if they're in the washing machine.

Are you using toilet cleaner or bleach in your washing machine? The 50, 500 & 1000 baht notes are equally good quality.

[Sydebolle]

Not a day goes by where not somebody in this country is throwing additional oil into already very open and hot fire. 
If other banks follow suit, then tourists will be stucked over the fact, that they cannot buy Thai Baht. 

It is a fact that money worldwide is a relatively dirty affair for all the bacteria on bank notes and coins. But try to imagine, what happens in any retail store or supermarket, where cashiers deal with 30 - 40 check-outs every hour .....

Plastic/latex gloves would be one solution though ........ 

[david555]

20 minutes ago, saakura said:

Are you using toilet cleaner or bleach in your washing machine? The 50, 500 & 1000 baht notes are equally good quality.

Few days ago out of pure curiosity i trow a number of 100 and 20 baht notes in the sink with diswash soap ........and after rinced put it in the dishes drip ......few hours later they looked as new ...

So dont fear legal money laundring 

 

BTW no need to iron them ...even not advisablei guess ????

.

[Ventenio]

Here is what I would do.... CHARGE for everything after these people land, or no stamp!!

 

100 baht for temperature check

100 baht for secure face mask

100 baht for doctor to look at you for 1 second

100 baht for note that says "Pay 100 baht at next station."  

 

this is normal behavior for 40 cases out of 70000000 people.  

i can only imagine what will happen next......will the next change help the farangs?  55555  Why read books, we have this kind of news

[fruitman]

9 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Never heard of an ATM? Ridiculous decision though.

Never heard of a 220 baht surcharge for westerners?! 

[JHolmesJr]

3 hours ago, Just Weird said:

Not sanctimonious in the least, they've also stopped handing out Thai baht.  Obviously.

Headline says different.

[OffshoreMig]

A positive and understandable step

 

Other Orangisation and government need to review and  take steps to limit the infection

VFS global should suspend or cancel it Bio Metric Data collection centres in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

They are outdated and unnecessary and a serious risk in the transmission of the COVID-19 Virus,With over 1000 people attending these centres daily. Overcrowding, lifts air-conditioning , waiting rooms,document handling and the finger print scanning equipment are all potential sources of infection and transmission.

Thailand has been issuing e-Passports, which included bio metric data (Photos and Fingerprints), since  2o13 most visa applicants hold an e=passport,  The requirement for visa applicants to attend these centres is just price gouging. Udder the current circumstance they are a risk to public health and safety.  They are an unjust tax on Thai nationals.  If the applicant live more than 100KM from the city centre the costs and risks are magnified.  Public transport Hotel accommodation and return trip just add to the risks.  It tales approximately 30 mins to record the bio metric data and cost around 800 THB

Those who attend these centres are most likely going to be catching a flight to another country within the foreseeable future a=or within the incubation period of the virus.  These cebtres are akin to a airport lounge or check-in desk.

It is made worst when there are other cheaper and more safer option available such as a smart mobile phone app.

If the Australian, UK, Canadian, US and other governments are not prepared to close down these centres then it is incumbent oon the Thai Government to close them down.  lt is Thai nationals that are suffering the most both financially and epidemically. All nations health and safety is being at risk

Imagine the uproar if Foreign Tourists has to pay 80 THB to have their photos taken and finger prints recorded on arrival.  Why should Thais have to pay this fee hen this information is already recorded and available in their e-Passports. (which comply to the same international standards as other nations)

Given the serious risk of contracting the virus and  the cost in involved

 

Any person who might contract this disease at one of these centres would have a claims against the associated government that requires applicants to attend these centres.

 

CLOSE THEM DOWN  NOW



e
 

 

Edited March 9, 2020 by OffshoreMig

[Janner1]

12 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

Khun Prayuth has not yet bought his used submarines, it may cost him a lot of US dollars in a few weeks.

And now you may get an inkling why Thailand a country in the thick of it with it’s all consuming ties to China is recording very small numbers infected.

How stupid and uncaring is it to allow nationals to return home from a highly infected country ( Korea ) without ensuring that they will be quarantined for 14 days just to protect the tourist dollar. It beggars belief

This virus would have been defeated in weeks if certain governments including China had in the beginning and now told the truth so that WHO and other organisations could act accordingly.

[Traubert]

23 minutes ago, Ventenio said:

Here is what I would do.... CHARGE for everything after these people land, or no stamp!!

 

100 baht for temperature check

100 baht for secure face mask

100 baht for doctor to look at you for 1 second

100 baht for note that says "Pay 100 baht at next station."  

 

this is normal behavior for 40 cases out of 70000000 people.  

i can only imagine what will happen next......will the next change help the farangs?  55555  Why read books, we have this kind of news

Yeah, but you are very strange.

[JeffyInBkk]

Its interesting that there are studies that show that the coronavirus could remain active on surfaces for as long as 9 days ......https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-news-new-research-reveals-coronavirus-can-remain-infectious-for-as-long-as-9-days-on-surfaces-

[Traubert]

9 minutes ago, Janner1 said:

And now you may get an inkling why Thailand a country in the thick of it with it’s all consuming ties to China is recording very small numbers infected.

 

It's all consuming ties to China that registered 79,000 cases.

 

I'm afraid I don't follow and apparently neither do you.

[stuandjulie]

Good old Thailand, always ready to give us a laugh in these trying times.

[Number 6]

Fallout from virus

 

Not worth it to keep staff in booths and all the overhead related to changing cash money.

 

Disingenuous to make it health issue. But hey it's K bank. Worst bank in Thailand.

 

 

[FritsSikkink]

55 minutes ago, fruitman said:

Never heard of a 220 baht surcharge for westerners?! 

Never cared about it, withdrew the max all the time so percentage wise it wasn't that much.

[PoorSucker]

14 hours ago, Liverpoolfan said:

That's it, slam the final nail in Thailand's tourism coffin why don't you.

There wont be a single tourist left at this rate.

 

Imagine coming here for the first time. Taxi driver shouts you over for a lift.., hang on a minute mate, just need to change some money.. 

Everyone will fall at the first hurdle!!????

 

No problems, 100 baht, 100 Euro or 100 dollars, samui prices.