Thousands try to get cash at Myanmar banks

One hundred days since the military grabbed power in Myanmar, a large crowd gathered in downtown Yangon on Tuesday, not to protest, but to queue.

Up to a thousand weary account holders lined up, sat down or were sprawled on chairs and pavements waiting to try and withdraw money from bank automatic teller machines.

The huge lines are now a common sight in towns and cities across the country as anxiety over household finance cuts deep.

Some want cash for everyday needs or to keep small businesses going or because they fear the banking system – badly disrupted since the military coup - which is on the verge of collapse.

Some of those outside one bank in Yangon on Tuesday told the Associated Press they were so desperate they broke the curfew to be at the front, early in the morning.

Most bring their own food and drink in anticipation of a long wait.

The queues are so long that many people wait in vain and have to return day after day.

Even if they are successful there are strict limits to how much they can withdraw and how often.

The daily limit at this bank is just under US$200.

Banks issue tokens to establish people's place in the line, but many complain that calls to token booking centres go unanswered while online booking systems are overloaded.

The long queues are a symptom of the dire economic problems facing Myanmar since the 1 February coup overthrew of Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

A recent report from the United Nations Development Programme warned the economy is facing significant risk of collapse, as result of the twin shocks of the coronavirus pandemic and the military's power grab.