The central bank plans to introduce a mobile “banknote clinic” in flood-affected areas in the South to directly inspect and exchange damaged banknotes for affected residents, Busakorn Teerapanyachai, assistant governor for Payment Systems Infrastructure and Operations, has said.
Details on dates and locations will be announced later, she said.
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has also prepared a supply of banknotes to meet cash demand during the post-flood recovery period, Busakorn said.
The BoT has coordinated with financial institutions to speed up the distribution of banknotes through branches and operating ATMs.
Moreover, the central bank has instructed government and commercial banks in flood-affected areas to offer daily damaged banknote exchange services throughout December to assist those whose banknotes were damaged or muddied during the inundations.
Previously, the service was offered only on Wednesdays.
Busakorn Teerapanyachai, assistant governor for Payment Systems Infrastructure and Operations, said that the new polymer banknotes are highly durable.
“If they are stained with dirt or mud, people can wash and dry them, and the notes can still be used as legal tender,” she said.
If the banknotes are damaged beyond use, they can be exchanged for new ones at GSB or commercial banks in nearby provinces on any business day throughout December.
