Thai Banks temporarily close 123 branches

[webfact]

SHUTDOWN
Banks temporarily close 123 branches
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A number of 123 bank branches were closed as of 3.30pm, according to the Bank of Thailand. Over half, 76, belong to TMB Bank. Krungthai Bank closed 16 branches.

Thai shares weakened Monday, as anti-government protesters seized many areas in Bangkok since Sunday night.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index at 11.17am lost 6.42 points or 0.51 per cent, to 1,249.03 points. So far this month, the index has lost 3.3 per cent.

The Thai baht remained steady at 33 against US dollar.

The Bank of Thailand on Monday operates from its emergency centre, as staff may find it difficult to access the headoffice at Bang Khumphrom Intersection. Its note printing operations will also temporarily moved to Krungthai Bank’s Pinklao Branch. Its Call Centre 0-2283-5353 remains open as usual.

As of 11am, 45 bank branches have been closed, according to the Bank of Thailand. Fourteen of them belong to Krungthai Bank; 6 to LH Bank, 5 to Siam Commercial Bank and 4 each to Bangkok Bank, Bank of Ayudhya and Kasikornbank.

Krungthai Bank closed 14 branches on Monday including those at Energy Complex building, Revenue Department, TOT Chaeng Wattana, and Union Mall Latphrao.

CIMB Thai Bank also cancelled the press conference scheduled for tomorrow. It plans to launch a new campaign to mark the Chinese New Year.

While Siam Centre and MBK Centre open as usual, CentralWorld announced that it would be opened at noon and closed at 8pm, citing difficulties to access.

The Land Transport Department’s headoffice in Chatuchak is closed today. The department urged all to contact its office in Nonthaburi.

The "Bangkok shutdown" has affected over 1 million people, according to a Thai PBS report. It estimated that 680,000 residents living in and near the rally sites are affected. On top of this are 440,000 students and 1.2 million people who work in the area. The shutdown have also afffected 4.8 million transport trips.


-- The Nation 2014-01-13

[marcusd]

Well this is news all over the World and of course Shops are going to be affected and so wll banking and all other businesses.

Here is what has been in The Australian Newspapers EVERY DAY now so this being a land of a LOT of tourists throughout the year will no doubt impact on the economy - especially Phuket.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/chaos-reigns-as-bangkok-shut-down-20140113-hv88u.html

[Soutpeel]

And on a related topic TAT announced they expect to see a 40% increase in tourists arriving in Thailand to month end Jan, due to increased booking of urban adventure tours around Bangkok, which will allow tourist to experience first hand Thai democracy in action

[Nowhereman60]

And on a related topic TAT announced they expect to see a 40% increase in tourists arriving in Thailand to month end Jan, due to increased booking of urban adventure tours around Bangkok, which will allow tourist to experience first hand Thai democracy in action

oh, you Yellow Skirts are funny, LOL

[oldthaihand99]

KTB by sukh soi 3 was open for business as usual. Indeed the whole area in general from my limited observations, though it was largely a ghost town at 930 AM. Traffic, pedestrians & shoppers seemed way low even for a Monday morning at that time.

"While Siam Centre and MBK Centre open as usual..."

No surprise there as the BTS practicly stops inside these huge shopping centres.

"The "Bangkok shutdown" has affected over 1 million people, according to a Thai PBS report. It estimated that 680,000 residents living in and near the rally sites are affected. On top of this are 440,000 students and 1.2 million people who work in the area. The shutdown have also afffected 4.8 million transport trips."

Relatively small numbers in a city of over 14 million people.

Edited January 13, 2014 by oldthaihand99

[noitom]

And on a related topic TAT announced they expect to see a 40% increase in tourists arriving in Thailand to month end Jan, due to increased booking of urban adventure tours around Bangkok, which will allow tourist to experience first hand Thai democracy in action

They'll (TAT) realize the opportunity that you suggest , but only after 2-3 more demonstrations down the road a few years.

[noitom]

The banks would be smart to close up in case there are notions of cashing out baht.

[diehard60]

Well this is the start. All of you in bangkok wanted this and now you got it. Then when the blood flows dont cry, you asked for it.

[Soutpeel]

And on a related topic TAT announced they expect to see a 40% increase in tourists arriving in Thailand to month end Jan, due to increased booking of urban adventure tours around Bangkok, which will allow tourist to experience first hand Thai democracy in action

oh, you Yellow Skirts are funny, LOL

Oh my little red shirted friend is making a joke...keep this up and they may sign you for a stand up gig in Dubai along side your comic messiah...

for the receord I am a "Red" supporter....

Liverpool Football Club

[HUAHIN62]

The Bangkok middle class started this now let them bask in Sutheps shutdown glory. Lets see what they say when businesses close for good and they the middle class start to lose their jobs.

[tomyummer]

Which side to cheer for that will improve immigration, work permit processes, and unethical treatment of foreigners?

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[ezzra]

And on a related topic TAT announced they expect to see a 40% increase in tourists arriving in Thailand to month end Jan, due to increased booking of urban adventure tours around Bangkok, which will allow tourist to experience first hand Thai democracy in action

Any one who have been to Thailand for a while now knows not to take TAT figures seriously,

they just do they their job by farting numbers, good numbers, why they can ALWAYS say

that it was an honest mistake and the junior staff is responsible,

[JoeThePoster]

Thai shares weakened Monday, as anti-government protesters seized many areas in Bangkok since Sunday night.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index at 11.17am lost 6.42 points or 0.51 per cent, to 1,249.03 points. So far this month, the index has lost 3.3 per cent.

At close of trading SET index "surged" 28.11 points to close at 1,283.56.

[Soutpeel]

Which side to cheer for that will improve immigration, work permit processes, and unethical treatment of foreigners? Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Just because you cant get your own way as a farang doesnt constitute unethical treatment dear boy..

nothing wrong with the work permit process, its actually one of the easier ones to work with based on my experiences of having work permit/ work visa's in many different countries...for example the US "work permit" is a lot more stringent and takes time/money and aggravation to become legal

so be careful what you bleat for....

[tomyummer]

Which side to cheer for that will improve immigration, work permit processes, and unethical treatment of foreigners? Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Just because you cant get your own way as a farang doesnt constitute unethical treatment dear boy..

nothing wrong with the work permit process, its actually one of the easier ones to work with based on my experiences of having work permit/ work visa's in many different countries...for example the US "work permit" is a lot more stringent and takes time/money and aggravation to become legal

so be careful what you bleat for....

Having been here over ten years, married Thai with kids and yet it seems the same annual idiotic procedures to prove you are not here to take advantage of Thailand year after year with the revenue department visiting your office and home as you keep only one book for revenue purposes not trying to 'cook the books' while employing Thais each and every year?

I can see your point for a one time application hassle, and Thailand is not the US in economic scale and util value, but we go through this every single year refusing to pay 'expedite' fees under the table.

So I do wish for a change and am all for whichever side fixes this paper society, it's lame processes, and puts more value on foreigners living here who hope to add and make it a better place for all.

[Soutpeel]

Which side to cheer for that will improve immigration, work permit processes, and unethical treatment of foreigners? Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Just because you cant get your own way as a farang doesnt constitute unethical treatment dear boy..

nothing wrong with the work permit process, its actually one of the easier ones to work with based on my experiences of having work permit/ work visa's in many different countries...for example the US "work permit" is a lot more stringent and takes time/money and aggravation to become legal

so be careful what you bleat for....

Having been here over ten years, married Thai with kids and yet it seems the same annual idiotic procedures to prove you are not here to take advantage of Thailand year after year with the revenue department visiting your office and home as you keep only one book for revenue purposes not trying to 'cook the books' while employing Thais each and every year?

I can see your point for a one time application hassle, and Thailand is not the US in economic scale and util value, but we go through this every single year refusing to pay 'expedite' fees under the table.

So I do wish for a change and am all for whichever side fixes this paper society, it's lame processes, and puts more value on foreigners living here who hope to add and make it a better place for all.

the US ecomonic scale etc has nothing to do with it, the fact is in every country for every 1 person who tries to do his stuff properly, there will be 5 trying to scam the system in some way, thats the reason the rules are in place and people are made to jump through hoops, it not to penalise those who do it properly, its an attempt to catch the ones who dont.

be thankful Thailand isnt the same as i particular country I worked in many years ago, as in addtion to the hoop jumping, you had to do a "political interview" with a goverment department that was in effect "the secret police" and if they didnt like your "responses" they could kick you out the country, and you couldnt "fraternise" with the local single ladys, as if they caught with one in your apartment you were getting a 1 way ticket out the country...

think the point being the large majority of farangs in Thailand are neither PR or citizens of Thailand, but yet they they can demand the rights of a PR or citizen in Thailand, just because they have white skin and have come from a Western country and they expect the natives to lay out a red carpet for them and say "yes boss...no boss" and kowtow down at every request, I am not suggesting your one of these people, but there are large numbers of these sorts of people, some even on TV

The colonial days are long gone

[kingstonkid]

The Bangkok middle class started this now let them bask in Sutheps shutdown glory. Lets see what they say when businesses close for good and they the middle class start to lose their jobs.

In case you have not noticed the Middle class all over the world is starting to protest. The middle class is the group that gets screwed the most by any government. The rich can find business means to avoid the costs.

The poor just look to government for handouts or just go on with their normal lives. It is the middle class in every county that pays the most. In all honesty if a few businesses go under while it is a shame, if it brings a better less corrupt government system into being then it is worth it.

Do I belive in Thaksin, Chaklerm, Absiht or Suthep NO

I think that a new leader with a new group has to rise out of the ashes ans start to bring reason to this country.

I think this country needs a group of ORANGE shirts.

[Nowhereman60]

And on a related topic TAT announced they expect to see a 40% increase in tourists arriving in Thailand to month end Jan, due to increased booking of urban adventure tours around Bangkok, which will allow tourist to experience first hand Thai democracy in action

oh, you Yellow Skirts are funny, LOL

Oh my little red shirted friend is making a joke...keep this up and they may sign you for a stand up gig in Dubai along side your comic messiah...

for the receord I am a "Red" supporter.... width=18 alt=w00t.gif pagespeed_url_hash=1451809591>

Liverpool Football Club

for the record I am a "Red" supporter.

You keep on getting funnier all the time.

[paz]

Which side to cheer for that will improve immigration, work permit processes, and unethical treatment of foreigners? Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Just because you cant get your own way as a farang doesnt constitute unethical treatment dear boy..

nothing wrong with the work permit process, its actually one of the easier ones to work with based on my experiences of having work permit/ work visa's in many different countries...for example the US "work permit" is a lot more stringent and takes time/money and aggravation to become legal

so be careful what you bleat for....

You are so wrong, however hour patronizing thai apologist tone is perfect in its .onotnous defending of an undefendable, corrupt, inefficient and undefendable system.

By the way, there is no work permit per se in the us. Either you visa allows working, or it doesn't. However that is off topic.