Bangkok: The Economic Development Committee has urged Bangkok and local governments to propose revisions to the central budget allocated for earthquake relief, following public outcry over the insufficient and unreasonable compensation amounts.
According to Thai News Agency, the Comptroller General’s Department is set to amend compensation regulations for future incidents, with a proposed maximum compensation of 80,000 baht. Mr. Suphanat Meenchainan, Secretary of the Economic Development Committee, highlighted the results of a recent committee meeting on earthquake compensation, which included representatives from the Department of Public Works, Bangkok, and several provincial governors. The consensus was that existing compensation did not adequately address the damages incurred, with some individuals receiving as little as 40 to 70 baht.
The Comptroller General’s Department representative elaborated on the Ministry of Finance’s existing regulations, which currently only cover the cost of repair materials. The proposed changes would extend coverage to include residence repairs and shift the beneficiary from the owner to the resident. The draft regulation, which increases compensation from 49,500 baht to 80,000 baht, is pending enforcement and is expected to reach the Minister of Finance soon.
Mr. Suphanat emphasized the necessity for local governments and Bangkok to request additional compensation from the central budget, suggesting operating costs should start at a minimum of 1,000-2,000 baht for damages around 9,000 baht. He noted that current assistance efforts, in many cases, exacerbate the situation.
Regarding compensation registration, Mr. Suphanat mentioned that the Deputy Governor of Bangkok would convene a meeting to decide on a potential extension of the registration period. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is committed to expediting compensation for victims.
Officials assessing damages in the provinces face challenges due to restrictive regulations, and the use of Bangkok’s damage assessment table is recommended to streamline the process.