"From now on, we will have to carry out stringent security checks, which may inconvenience some customers. For example, bags will have to be examined," Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham, chairwoman of the Thai Bankers' Association (TBA), said yesterday.

The security measures will be most strict in branches in the three southern border provinces. But how and when the stringent measures are implemented will depend on each bank, she said.

The TBA yesterday held a meeting to discuss additional security measures for banks in the South.

Jada also recommends bank customers use electronic means, such as Internet or telephone banking, rather than carrying out transactions over the counter, as it is safer.

The TBA also plans to set up a special committee to monitor the unrest in the South that will act as an intermediary for the exchange of information on the situation and on the development of a security system.

Jada said the TBA would put forward a suggestion to the Bank of Thailand to allow more relaxed opening times for banks in some Southern areas. Some branches already open at 9am, half an hour later than branches in other provinces, and close for the day at 3pm, half an hour earlier.

"Some branches in remote areas will open later and close earlier," she said.

Commercial banks, however, do not plan to stop their expansion plans in the three southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, nor are there any plans to close branches in the area.

There have been no reports of staff from the branches that were attacked requesting transfers to other areas, as most of them are local residents.

Speaking on behalf of the president of Siam Commercial Bank, Jada said the bank would consider increasing security measures at its southern branches. Security there is already higher than at other branches in the country, both in terms of personnel and equipment.

Prasarn Trairatvorakul, president of Kasikornbank, said it too would be tightening its security in the South. The bank might install bomb detectors or mobile-phone signal censors, and will bring in additional closed-circuit TV cameras.

Meanwhile, two securities brokers - Kim Eng Securities (Thailand) Plc and United Securities Plc - have confirmed their trading rooms in Yala province will not shut down. These are the only brokers with a presence in the three southern provinces. Kim Eng Securities has one branch, while United Securities has two.

Although the bomb blasts may have knocked investor confidence, the government will be able to control the unrest, Kim Eng Securities' CEO Montree Sornpaisarn said.

"We will not shut down our outlet in Yala province it would cause unemployment. Besides, the branch is profit-making. I have told my staff in the area to be prudent," he said.

United Securities' managing director Sudthida Chirapatsakul said her company's outlets were operating as normal.

"After the bombs, we talked to staff in the area and most of them were not concerned. Our customers are still trading and not worried about late settlements," she said.

Somruedi Banchongduang

The Nation