They are the only two banks with approval from Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to open outlets inside the new airport.

AOT has agreed a concession on space at the airport with King Power. SCB and TMB are believed to have a good relationship with the duty-free shop.

Praves Suttirat, SCB executive vice president, said the bank planned to open five micro-branches at the airport. One is due to open on September 1, while the other four are scheduled for October 1.

SCB will open one more branch in the Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) office building in October. It will also have 11 ATMs and 19 foreign-exchange booths inside the new airport.

The micro-branches will each have around five staff and measure 40 square metres. Space rental is more expensive than at Don Muang Airport. Each branch will have different opening times so that they can meet customer demand.

Praves said the bank would concentrate on providing services and convenience to customers more than on profits. It expects most of its customers to be employees of THAI and AOT. While general passengers do not carry out many transactions at airport banks, SCB expects its foreign-exchange booths to be busy.

"Our branches will benefit the bank in terms of image because the airport is the country's gateway. We will offer a full range of services," Praves said.

Prakarn Tawisuwan, first senior executive vice president of TMB Bank, said it planned to open three or four branches at Suvarnabhumi. Most would be micro-branches, with one full branch located outside the terminal.

"We hope transactions will increase  because the new airport is much larger. Our main target group is THAI and AOT employees," he said.

Ruchanee Nopmuang, Bangkok Bank's executive vice president, said it would have only one branch, in the bus terminal at Suvarnabhumi.

Charlotte Donavanick, first senior executive vice president of the Bank of Ayudhya, said it would open three branches outside the terminal building.

Somruedi Banchongduang

The Nation