World

Commercial banks in Thailand reserve over 127 billion THB for Songkran festival

Budsakorn Teerapunyachai, Assistant Governor of the Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) Payment Infrastructure and Services Group, said this move is based on the expectation that commercial banks will face a demand for banknotes of around 40 billion THB, taking into account the holiday duration and the government’s tourism stimulus measures.

Thailand's commercial banks reserve over 127 billion THB for Songkran festival (Photo: nationthailand.com)
Thailand's commercial banks reserve over 127 billion THB for Songkran festival (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Bankok (VNA) - Six commercial banks in Thailand have set aside a combined reserve of over 127 billion THB (3.67 billion USD) in preparation for this year’s Songkran festival.

Budsakorn Teerapunyachai, Assistant Governor of the Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) Payment Infrastructure and Services Group, said this move is based on the expectation that commercial banks will face a demand for banknotes of around 40 billion THB, taking into account the holiday duration and the government’s tourism stimulus measures.

She said that the BoT has prepared banknotes of various denominations sufficiently to meet increasing demand, ensuring the public can access convenient and comprehensive services.

Among the commercial banks, Bangkok Bank (BBL) has allocated 35 billion THB for the Songkran period from April 12-16, to be distributed through over 7,700 branches and ATMs. This is aimed at facilitating customers travelling across provinces or returning to their hometowns.

Additionally, customers can access BBL services through 163,000 banking agents, including Counter Service at 7-Eleven and Lotus’s, Bank@Post at Thailand Post, Booterm, Big C Supercentre, and Sabuy Counter. Electronic banking services are also available.

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has allocated 29.2 billion THB for the same period, as an increase in travel and personal spending is anticipated. This includes 10.35 billion THB for Bangkok and 18.85 billion THB for other provinces. As of March, SCB operates 680 branches and 9,779 ATMs.

Kasikornbank (KBank) has set aside 24.35 billion THB for Songkran. Of this, 3.90 billion THB is allocated for its Bangkok branches, and 5 billion THB for branches in other provinces. KBank has 780 branches nationwide.

Krungthai Bank (KTB) has allocated 18.24 billion THB from April 11 to 15, including 3.47 billion THB for branches and ATMs in Bangkok, and 14.77 billion THB for those in other provinces.

TMBThanachart Bank (TTB) has reserved 11.50 billion THB for its nationwide branches and ATMs, including 7.5 billion THB for ATMs and 4 billion THB for its branches. As of March, TTB operates 2,332 ATMs and 458 branches across the country.

Bank of Ayudhya (BAY) has reserved 8.89 billion THB to support financial transactions during the Songkran festival from April 9 to 15. This includes 4.57 billion THB for ATMs and 4.32 billion THB for branches. As of February, BAY has 5,344 ATMs and 528 branches nationwide./.

VNA
#Thailand #banks #Songkran festival #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency #Vietnam
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Outbound travellers are pictured at the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi airport during the Songkran festival last year. (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thailand increases transport services for Songkran Festival

Suriya said that 16.32 million personal vehicles are estimated to traverse Bangkok over the festival next month, with 7.01 million using highways and motorways and 9.31 million using expressways. Around 15.84 million people are tipped to use public transport, including buses, trains, boats and airplanes.

See more

Illustrative Image (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thailand extracts bio-calcium from fish waste

Researchers at Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi (Thailand) developed a method to extract calcium from discarded parts of blackchin tilapia, including heads, bones, scales and tails - materials typically treated as waste and a source of pollution.

Philippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years

Philippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years

On March 24, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency through an executive order, allowing the government to fast-track fuel procurement, make advance payments for fuel contracts, and ensure the availability of fuel and other essential goods amid rising prices.

Philippines declares energy emergency over Middle East tension (Photo: BBC)

Philippines declares energy emergency

The Philippine Government on March 24 announced an "imminent danger of a critically low energy supply" as tensions in the Middle East threaten fuel supplies and the stability of the country’s power system.

Delegates at the event (Photo: cambodia.un.org)

Cambodia accelerates access to climate-resilient water services

Funded by the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund, the Water Infrastructure & Smart Energy Joint Programme (WISE JP) introduces a pioneering financial model that combines commercial and low-interest capital - a revolving blended‑finance facility - dedicated to ensuring climate‑smart water systems.

Officials inspect the 10-wheel tanker found smuggling fuel to Myanmar in Mae Sot border district on Sunday. (Photo:bangkokpost.com)

Thailand seizes 20,000 litres of diesel bound for Myanmar

Authorities of Thailand's Tak province have ordered intensified patrols and stricter inspections to prevent fuel stockpiling and illegal cross-border exports. They also called on local residents to report any suspicious signs related to fuel hoarding or smuggling.

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

Wildfires surge to 96 hotspots in Thailand

According to the provincial forest fire and haze prevention centre, satellite data from the Suomi NPP VIIRS system recorded the hotspots at 02:13. The fires were spread across multiple districts though firefighting teams have been working around the clock to contain the blazes.

In major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, demand for pet-related services is surging. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese pet market attractive to RoK businesses

RoK pet food companies are increasingly targeting Vietnam as a key growth market, leveraging the country’s rapidly developing pet economy and rising demand for premium pet care products in Southeast Asia.

Residents refuel at a petrol station in Stung Treng province, north-eastern Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

Cambodia introduces energy-saving measures amid Middle East conflict

Despite these challenges, the government noted that Cambodia’s fuel and electricity supply remains stable, supporting economic activities and public service delivery, based on assessments conducted with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), and fuel import companies.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in a press statement at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta on March 19. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia pushes sustainable energy transition

Diesel plants remain widely used but should gradually be replaced by renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, due to their economic and environmental advantages, said an Indonesian minister.