Banks' flood assistance takes many forms

Individuals and businesses affected by flooding have been looking to banks for extra help in terms of loans and eased conditions as they try to get back on their feet. 

But banks have also been actively offering non-financial assistance in many forms, with the enthusiastic involvement of their staff.

Bangkok Bank last week provided a space in front of its headquarters on Silom Road for an "Emergency Shopping Fair" flea market offering essential goods at special prices.

In partnership with more than 30 manufacturing customers and business allies, the market offered goods including bottled drinking water, eggs, canned sardines, rice, instant noodles, processed and frozen foods and medical supplies.

The bank plans to set up similar markets at other branches to help people obtain hard-to-find goods conveniently.

Benyapa Selanont, 45, a secretary with a private company, said she welcomed the chance to stock up, especially on canned foods. Her house in Lam Luk Ka in Pathum Thani has been submerged for a month.

Siam Commercial Bank, meanwhile, set up a kitchen in mid-October to cook food for flood victims. Earlier, the bank was using the meeting hall at its Ratchayothin head office as a large kitchen, but it had to be relocated to the evacuation centre at the Government Complex in Nonthaburi province after the flooding reached Ratchayothin.

The bank's kitchen prepares food for around 10,000 people per day, mainly Thai fast food. It also orders some meals from restaurants to be delivered to people in some locations. SCB expects to keep the kitchen going until mid-December and staff are encouraged to volunteer, said executive vice-president Ongorn Abhakorn na Ayutthaya.

Anpawee Laoritsayaporn, an SCB employee working in the kitchen, said it was a good opportunity to help others in a crisis. Her own house has been inundated but she says she is better off than many people because the bank has provided temporary accommodation for some of its staff affected by floods.

"Besides having an opportunity to help people who have the same fate, it makes me love the bank more because of how it takes care of its staff," she added.

The flooding has led to other shortages besides essential consumer goods, and blood is one critical need. Kiatnakin Bank has worked with the Red Cross Society and Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) to stage blood donations at the bank's headquarters on Asok Road. 

The drive received a good response from its staff and people working in the area, said KK president Tawatchai Suktikipisan.

Prin Chaiwisuthakul, 45, an SWU professor, said he decided to take part after hearing an announcement about the bank's campaign at the university.

Kiatnakin employee Orathai Saejia, 26, said she wanted to donate blood but her weight was below the requirement. However, she said she intended to participate in other voluntary activities to help other people affected by the floods.