Executive vice president Charamporn Jotikasathira said the Suvarnabhumi Cash Card was part of the bank's innovative pilot project to convince Thai consumers to shift from cash to plastic for payment.

With the bank's current technology, the cash card can be upgraded to a four-in-one card: high-security cash card, low-value cash card, royalty-point card and credit card. He said the Suvarnabhumi Cash Card qualified as a high-security cash card and a royalty-point card. The bank's cash card has two categories: a limited edition with a prepaid amount of Bt50,00; and a general issue with Bt3,000 registered on it.

The bank has targeted 10,000 limited-edition cards in the first three months after the launch and 100,000 general cards in the first year.

Next year, SCB plans to expand outside of the airport, focusing on convenience stores and restaurants. The bank has held talks with the Bangkok Mass Transit System and Bangkok Metro to include service-fee payments by the bank's cash card.

Somruedi Banchongduang

The Nation