UPDATE: SCB becomes third bank to stop exchanging foreign cash

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) today became the third Thai bank to cease exchanging foreign cash, shut down its exchange booths and quarantine booth staff for fourteen days as a result of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The move comes after a similar move by Kasikorn Bank over the weekend – see original story below.

Yesterday afternoon saw Krungthai Bank follow suit.

The bank said in a statement the decision was undertaken to protect their customers and staff, but that the use of of Thai currency is still fine.

ORIGINAL STORY:
One of Thailand’s biggest banks has announced it is closing all its foreign exchange booths and will cease exchanging foreign cash in its branches, effective immediately.

The shock move from Kasikorn Bank (known locally as K-Bank) came in a directive issued at 5pm yesterday and is due to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The order says it is the bank’s “civic duty to act on this very important” issue.

No time limit was given for the closure. All staff who worked in the bank’s forex booths nationwide have been put on a 14 day quarantine and must stay home.

The bank said in a letter that entities such as the health ministry, bank of Thailand, airports authority and duty free giant King Power have 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.

SOURCES: thaivisa | 77Kaoded | The Pattaya News