Banks are financial intermediaries that accept deposits and lend such deposits either directly to the public or through capital markets. It is because of these functions that the banking industry is a highly regulated industry. As banks are imbued with public interest, government implements strict rules and imposes restrictions on bank's financial activities.

Economically speaking, the condition of the banking industry is one of the manifestations of a progressive country. The following are some of the economic functions of a bank:

Banks are high quality borrowers. Their assets and capital are diversified which provide buffer to absorb losses without incurring default on its obligation. The above economic functions are also true to banks in Thailand. Banks in Thailand are highly sophisticated as compared to the other Asian banks. It has all the banking services such as ATM, credit card and foreign exchange. No wonder, Thai banks are amongst the most efficient in the region.

Recently, as Thailand's economic growth fell due to cooling global demand, Thai central bank makes it harder to justify further increases in borrowing costs. Consequently, it has increased its benchmark rate for the fourth time in seven months to 2.25%. In fact, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, the central bank governor, stated that the key rate would essentially increase in 2011. If unchanged, the rate would lead to inflation and result to investment imbalance. He added that an economic growth forecast of 3-5% in 2011 would imply that there is no need for monetary stimulus. Banks, indeed, play a vital role in country's economy. Banks in Thailand have greatly contributed to the country's economy. Hence, rest assured that the public can count on them.