The central bank on Wednesday allowed all financial institutions nationwide to close for services during May 20-21 in the wake of street violence and riots in Bangkok and the civil unrest in many provinces following the abrupt end to the anti-government mass rally by Red Shirt protesters.

He said the ATM network had not gone out of service despite as rumours to that effect. Some ATM machines in risk-prone areas are closed because cash delivery trucks have been unable to reach them. He advised persons wanting to withdraw cash to use ATM services at nearby areas.

Chim Tantiyasawasdikul, BoT assistant governor in charge of the Information System Group, said that although May 20-21 has been announced as special holidays for all financial institutions nationwide, the central bank continued open for service at 11 Banknote Management Centers countrywide to enable the financial institutions to disburse cash and put it in ATM booths in an unlimited amount.

The central bank affirmed ATM booths had suffiient cash to meet public demand and did not want the public to have concerns about cash availability and rush to hoard the cash. For people living in the violence-prone areas, the bank suggested they have some cash reserves because the ATM booths in the areas might be out of service.

“We affirm that the ATM network is not disconnected as rumoured,” he said. “The credit card system is also available for service”. (TNA)