Bangkok Post
Bank branch closures set to hit staff more than AI
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Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in Thailand's banking sector is unlikely to have a rapid impact on employment, with the decline in bank staff primarily driven by branch closures, according to the central bank governor.
Key facts
- Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in Thailand's banking sector is unlikely to have a rapid impact on employment, with the decline in bank staff primarily driven by branch closures, according to the central bank governor.
- The Bank of Thailand's governor, Vitai Ratanakorn, said during a media briefing earlier this month that the reduction in the banking workforce has mainly resulted from branch rationalisation rather than AI adoption.
- In an organisation with 100 employees, only a small number are likely to emerge as AI champions, while around 60% will gradually learn to integrate AI into their work
- The remaining 40% who fail to adapt risk being left behind, as AI-enabled employees become productive enough to absorb much of the work previously carried out by others, he said.
- According to Bank of Thailand data, the banking industry's workforce stood at 116,721 employees in the first quarter of 2026, down from 119,051 at the end of 2025 and 124,458 at the end of 2024.
- As of April 2026, there were 4,575 banking outlets, compared with 4,696 at the end of 2025, 4,900 at the end of 2024, and 5,082 at the end of 2023.
Summary
The Bank of Thailand's governor, Vitai Ratanakorn, said during a media briefing earlier this month that the reduction in the banking workforce has mainly resulted from branch rationalisation rather than AI adoption.
"Positive growth in digital banking services in Thailand has significantly reduced transactions conducted through traditional branch networks," he said. "At the same time, local banks have increasingly adopted AI and automation technologies to improve productivity, lower operating costs, strengthen competitiveness and enhance employee skills.