Storming the banks: Tree tops ATMs in Bangkok showdown
Three banks said ATMs would be removed for repairs
A powerful storm barrelled through Bangkok at the weekend, toppling a massive banyan tree that smashed into a row of bank ATMs in front of the Din Daeng 2 Housing Authority office.
Despite the chaos, an unflappable woman calmly continued her cash withdrawal in one of the dangerously tilted booths. A photo of her undeterred focus amid the wreckage on Sunday, June 29, quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread amazement — and no shortage of jokes — at her steadfast commitment to finishing the transaction.
Witnesses said the banyan tree fell with a deafening crack as fierce winds ripped through the neighbourhood. The huge trunk crashed onto the ATMs, knocking all three machines off their concrete bases and leaving them at precarious angles.
Remarkably, the woman escaped uninjured. Social media users praised her composure, with one commenting, “Even a storm can’t stop her payday.” Another quipped, “She’s more stable than the Thai banking system.”
Yesterday, June 30, the National Housing Authority cut the power supply to the damaged cash machines to prevent any electrical hazards. Work crews soon began clearing the fallen tree, which had blocked part of the pavement and caused minor damage to a nearby fence.
The three banks affected by the mishap confirmed their ATMs would be temporarily removed for repairs and safety checks. In statements, each bank said the machines would be relocated to nearby sites and reinstalled once the area was deemed secure.
Residents expressed relief that no one was injured during the incident, which underscored the hazards of Bangkok’s storm season.
“I saw the tree swaying wildly in the wind before it crashed down,” said one witness. “It was terrifying, but everyone was lucky.”
Government officials warned Bangkokians to remain cautious during severe weather, especially around large trees and unsecured structures, reported Bangkok Post.
In similar news, torrential rain pounded Pattaya on June 22, leaving streets submerged and traffic in gridlock. The Thai Meteorological Department issued a weather warning for Pattaya and nearby areas, with further heavy downpours to come.
Authorities warned that very heavy rainfall was likely to continue across parts of the eastern provinces, including Chon Buri, where Pattaya is situated. Residents and tourists were urged to remain cautious, particularly in low-lying areas and near foothills, where flash floods and mudslides posed a serious risk.
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