Covid-19: Major Thai bank stops exchanging foreign money

[webfact 54,731]

Covid-19: Major Thai bank stops exchanging foreign money

 

 

One of Thailand's largest banks has announced they have shut all their in branch and foreign exchange booths immediately. 

 

The surprise move from Kasikorn or K-Bank came in a directive issued from 5 pm yesterday and is because of the Covid-19 outbreak. 

 

The bank said it was their "civic duty" to act on this "very important" issue. 

 

There was no time limit put on the closure. 

 

In addition all staff who had been working in their FX booths nationwide have been put on a 14 day stay-at-home quarantine. 

 

In a letter they said that entities such as the health ministry, bank of Thailand, airports authority and duty free giant King Power had been informed of the decision. 

 

Last week Kasikorn closed their branch in Laem Chabang, Chonburi for 14 days after an infected Italian went into the bank, notes Thaivisa.

 

Source: 77kaoded

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-03-09

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[darksidedog 44,089]

Do they know something the government doesn't know, or isn't telling us? Seems a little heavy handed given the allegedly very low numbers confirmed in Thailand.

[Liverpoolfan 1,203]

That's it, slam the final nail in Thailand's tourism coffin why don't you.

There wont be a single tourist left at this rate.

 

Imagine coming here for the first time. Taxi driver shouts you over for a lift.., hang on a minute mate, just need to change some money.. 

Everyone will fall at the first hurdle!!

 

[Jingthing 61,152]

1 minute ago, darksidedog said:

Do they know something the government doesn't know, or isn't telling us? Seems a little heavy handed given the allegedly very low numbers confirmed in Thailand.

Low testing rates. Low numbers. No mystery. 

[scubascuba3 6,101]

Handling thai baht has got to be worse

[FarFlungFalang 5,748]

8 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Do they know something the government doesn't know, or isn't telling us? Seems a little heavy handed given the allegedly very low numbers confirmed in Thailand.

As Prayuth said "everything is under control",most people took this to mean something different than "the government will control everything".

[Aachen 510]

11 minutes ago, Liverpoolfan said:

Imagine coming here for the first time. Taxi driver shouts you over for a lift.., hang on a minute mate, just need to change some money.. 

Everyone will fall at the first hurdle!!

 

They can use an ATM or another bank.

[Assurancetourix 16,940]

10 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Handling thai baht has got to be worse

In a few days, the euro rose from 33, ..baht to 36.05 this morning;
and the climb will continue to accelerate.

I have not looked at the rate of the US dollar but I suppose that it follows the same upward slope .

If Khun Prayuth has not yet bought his used submarines, it may cost him a lot of US dollars in a few weeks.

[Assurancetourix 16,940]

3 minutes ago, Aachen said:

They can use an ATM or another bank.

many gold sellers change the large foreign banknotes without any concern and this, often at a price higher than the banks. ( as in Vietnam )

[NanLaew 19,382]

16 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Do they know something the government doesn't know, or isn't telling us? Seems a little heavy handed given the allegedly very low numbers confirmed in Thailand.

No they don't know something that the government or we don't know already. Since most savvy exchangers of paper money already use the independent money exchanges, it's an opportunity for a bank to shutter a low-profit facet of their business in light of declining numbers and the higher risk of Covid-19 being spread on used bank notes, especially hard, shiny plastic ones.

 

Those who are already fixated with what they can only see as Thailand's woeful unpreparedness for the contagion will see it as more of the same.

[Just1Voice 23,820]

I can't help but wonder how many cases have NOT been reported, or are part of the "official figures", in order to "save face" and "protect the image of Thailand". 

[xtof2 759]

 

 

The Meaning

The water element leads to the wood element, and the wood element leads to the fire element, which is the balanced and harmonious combination of the elements leading to prosperity and growth.

 

Now I understand.

Well, actually, not !

[ThailandRyan 1,673]

I picked up 31.83 baht per USD on February 28th on a transfer to my K-bank account, today the rate is down to 31.49, does not make any sense at all

Edited March 9 by ThailandRyan

[TaaSaparot 496]

Surely there must be pressure on other banks (and independent money changers) to follow suit?

[bluesofa 31,217]

39 minutes ago, Aachen said:

They can use an ATM or another bank.

But in their panic Captain Mainwearing, won't the banks close the ATMs too, to stop cross-contamination by touching the keypad.

They must also stop using Thai Baht too. I bet loads of those ferang Euros have breathed on the completely innocent virgin Thai bank notes while in a cashier's draw.