More banks declared closed amid protests

BANGKOK, 17 March 2010 (NNT) – Nine branches of commercial banks have today requested temporary closure of their businesses for safety concerns due to the continued mass rallies of anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), according to the Bank of Thailand (BOT).

Krung Thai Bank has closed its branches at the MBK Shopping Center from 16-23 March at 19.00 hrs -20.00 hrs while its Government House branch has been temporarily moved to the Ministry of Education since 15 March. Two other branches, one at the Parliament and the other on Ratchadamnoen Rd, are moved temporarily to Si Yan Rd. and Khao San Rd. respectively as from 15 March.

Thanachart Bank has ordered the temporary closure of its Ratchadamnoen Klang branch since 16 March and moved banking services to Bang Lamphoo branch until further notice.

The Siam Commercial Bank has shut down its Ratchadamnoen Klang branch since 16 March after which banking services are moved to the Phra Pinklao bridge branch instead. The Bangkok Bank has closed its Phan Fa bridge branch since 15 March. The Bank of Ayutthaya has closed its branch on Sukhumvit Soi 35 since 17 March, and the Siam City Bank has closed its Ratchadamnoen branch since 15 March, moving its service to the Bo Bae branch until the overall situation returns to normal.