Phimai police boost bank security for 10,000 baht withdrawals

Police in Nakhon Ratchasima have increased security measures at local banks, fearing that loan sharks might target citizens withdrawing their 10,000 baht digital money.

Officers from Phimai Police Station’s crime prevention unit were deployed to the Phimai branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on September 30, to safeguard the public waiting to withdraw funds from the bank.

Police are not only focused on security but also on assisting elderly individuals. Many elderly citizens, lacking smartphones or ATM cards, have to bring their bankbooks to manually fill out withdrawal slips. Police officers have been helping these individuals by managing queue cards and coordinating with bank staff to ensure a smooth process for the elderly.

Beyond the BAAC, police have also dispatched teams to other banks in the area to monitor for any illegal debt collection activities and to assist citizens.

Throughout the day, from early morning until closing, a steady stream of people arrived to withdraw their 10,000 baht. Police reported that, so far, there have been no complaints from Phimai district residents about harassment by loan sharks.

“We have not received any complaints regarding illegal debt collection in Phimai.”

Yesterday marked the final day for the transfer of the 10,000 baht digital money. The Ministry of Finance is also reviewing the eligibility of holders of the state welfare card, with plans to open a new registration round soon, reported KhaoSod.

In related news, an elderly man who recently withdrew 10,000 baht in cash from the Thai government’s handout initiative found his wallet missing, prompting a heartfelt community response. A woman’s Facebook post detailed the incident and led to numerous offers of assistance from across the country.

In other news, a Thai man in the Isaan province of Udon Thani physically assaulted his wife yesterday out of frustration after failing to receive 10,000 baht from the digital wallet scheme. The wife sustained a bloody wound to her head.