|
The unprecedented volume of floodwaters have already caused havoc in parts of the central provinces of Thailand and this impact will magnify as the water makes its way south, through and around Bangkok. A relatively small volume of floodwaters have now reached the Head Office of the Bank at Ratchadapisek Road – around 8 miles from the city center - and are restricting access to its office buildings. Importantly, the Head Office buildings remain unaffected as they are at a significantly higher elevation from street level. Nevertheless, the Bank has invoked it business continuity arrangements to ensure that most of the Head Office based management and staff are immediately relocated to other premises within Bangkok. This relocation will ensure the continued smooth functioning of all its operations and activities despite any worsening in the current situation. The overriding objective of the Bank is to maintain trouble-free customer services at all its service locations in a safe and effective manner.
The volume of floodwaters is such that it has breached some of the major defensive barriers of the capital city and caused severe flooding in many parts of Bangkok. In the process it has interrupted normal operations of many businesses and caused evacuation of a number of districts. These floodwaters are now approaching deeper into Bangkok and have passed in close proximity to the Bank’s Head Office. Given its significantly higher elevation to street level, the Head Office complex remains unaffected in any way and is unlikely to be damaged by the floodwaters
As a result of the floodwaters on the roads, vehicular access to the Bank’s Head Office is severely impeded and is likely to remain so, at least for a few days. Thus, to safeguard against any worsening in the current situation, the Bank has invoked its well developed and tested business continuity arrangements. In turn, this has resulted in the relocation of most Head Office management and staff to other premises within Bangkok I.e. premises which are not similarly threatened by these waters. This rapid relocation will ensure seamless continuity of operations in a safe and effective manner. Meanwhile, both the Bank's two Data Centers remain unaffected by this disruption and, in addition, both are designed to provide hot back-up to each other in the unlikely event that either one is interrupted. Further, the multi-location call center and all electronic services remain unaffected. Finally, the Bank’s As a result of the floodwaters on the roads, vehicular access to the Bank’s Head Office is severely impeded and is likely to remain so, at least for a few days. Thus, to safeguard against any worsening in the current situation, the Bank has invoked its well developed and tested business continuity arrangements. In turn, this has resulted in the relocation of most Head Office management and staff to other premises within Bangkok I.e. premises which are not similarly threatened by these waters. This rapid relocation will ensure seamless continuity of operations in a safe and effective manner. Meanwhile, both the Bank's two Data Centers remain unaffected by this disruption and, in addition, both are designed to provide hot back-up to each other in the unlikely event that either one is interrupted. Further, the multi-location call center and all electronic services remain unaffected. Finally, the Bank’s branches, exchange booths, business centers, operations centers, and ATMs remain fully operational, except in some retail areas where the floodwaters have constrained access.
The Bank is committed to maintaining services to all its customers, as far as possible to the level established prior to the floods. In this context, the Bank is particularly pleased to have the complete support of its management and staff towards this end. It stands ready to meet the challenge posed by this unexpected, once in 50 years type, disruption. Although there has been no impact to customer service as yet, if an future inconvenience is faced by our customers from these new arrangements, the Bank expresses its regret.
|