Panda Commercial Bank began repaying deposits on April 2. Before its headquarters in Tuol Kouk district opened at 9 a.m., numerous depositors had gathered outside to wait for service. Security was visibly increased, with armed security staff and gendarmes maintaining order at the entrance. The bank’s former signage had also been removed.
According to staff at the scene, only customers who had previously received a telephone notification from the bank could complete withdrawal procedures that day. Depositors who had not been notified could not yet enter the counter area. Those notified first had to collect a number and then enter in turn to complete repayment-related procedures.
Even so, many depositors who had not received a notification came to wait in the hope of being served. With repayment coverage and scheduling still handled in batches, many remained concerned about subsequent arrangements, and the atmosphere at the scene was tense.
