Banks batten down hatches in emergency

Banks said they would moni¬tor the situation on a daily basis. Branches will remain closed until the situation improves.

All bank branches in Bang Lamphu and nearby areas are closed.

Siam Commercial Bank has closed nine branches and subbranches, plus three offices: the branches in Bang Lamphu, the United Nations Office, Deves, Wisut Kasat and Rajdamnoen Klang Avenue; the Sam Sen, Grand Palace (Sanamsuepa), Rajabhat Suan Sunandha University and Tha Prachan subbranches; and the Wisut Kasat District Office and the Bang Lamphu Business Centre Office. It has also shut the foreignexchange booth on Khao San Road.

Praves Suttirat, Siam Commercial Bank's executive vice president and network manager, said the bank would decide day by day whether these branches and offices should be reopened, taking into account the emer¬gency decree.

TMB Bank has closed its three branches in the area, at Thammasat University, Sanam Suapa and Bang Lamphu.

Bangkok Bank senior execu¬tive vice president Teera Aphaiwongse said his bank had closed two branches: at Thammasat University, because the university is closed, and at the Office of the Civil Service Commission, because people are unable to enter the area.

Bangkok Bank is keeping a close watch on events around its Panfa branch, which remained open yesterday.

"The bank's ATMs still work normally and we have not had reports of any abnormal with¬drawals. We already had a scenario plan in case of rioting and public util¬ities being cut off. It depends on the situation as to when we will reopen the branches," said Teera.

Krung Thai Bank has closed two branches. One is located at Government House and the other at the Education Ministry.

Kasikornbank has shut its two branches in Bang Lamphu and Deves, while Bank of Ayudhya has closed its Jakrawatdhipong and Bang Lamphu branches.

Siam City Bank has only shut its Bang Lamphu branch, while the Nang Loeng and Tha Chang branches remain open.

BankThai's Bang Lamphu branch business hours have been cut to 8am to 3.30pm. The branch normally closes at 5.30pm.