Bangkok: Aiming to address concerns over compensation for earthquake damage, Senator Alongkot Woraki has called for adjustments to the criteria used in assessing and awarding damages.
According to Thai News Agency, the move comes amid dissatisfaction with current compensation assessments and the rising cost of materials, which have led to claims that the existing criteria do not reflect the reality of the situation.
Mr. Alongkot Woraki, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Budget Management Monitoring Committee, highlighted that in Bangkok alone, approximately 32,279 units reported damage due to the recent earthquake, with only 878 units certified for compensation as of April 19. Petitions for compensation can be filed until April 27. While issues have been mostly reported in Bangkok, Mr. Alongkot noted that provincial areas appear to be less affected. To assist with the assessment process, the Senate plans to request additional support from the Ministry of Interior and the Engineering Council due to a shortage of available personnel in Bangkok.
Concerns have been raised over the low compensation prices being assessed, with some victims receiving estimates as low as 70 or 300 baht. These assessments are based on existing regulations from the Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Commerce, which are similar to those applied in cases of fires, storms, and floods. According to these regulations, the maximum compensation per house is capped at 49,500 baht, regardless of the property’s value. Mr. Alongkot emphasized the need for regulatory amendments to better reflect the actual costs of materials and damages.
He further explained that adjusting these regulations would require amendments to existing guidelines from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce. This would be a special case, akin to recent flood damage assessments in the North, which exceeded regulatory limits and prompted Cabinet intervention. The Senate aims to observe and propose necessary budget adjustments to ensure that compensation reflects the true extent of the damages incurred.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Alongkot assured that all victims who file complaints will eventually receive compensation, though there may be delays. The process is targeted for completion within 90 days, with a tentative end date of June 27. However, given the personnel shortage, the timeline for Bangkok may extend beyond this date.
Addressing concerns about the current petition process, Mr. Alongkot acknowledged the proactive approach required by government agencies to survey and assess damages, rather than relying on victims to submit petitions. He emphasized the importance of government agencies taking initiative to assist affected individuals and clarified that any complaints would be addressed through formal processes.
In a related development, Mr. Sitthikorn Thongyos, spokesman for the Senate’s Independent Organizations Committee, announced plans to investigate the recent collapse of the State Audit Office building. The committee, involving experts on tall buildings and various agencies, will convene on April 23 to determine the cause of the collapse. The investigation is expected to conclude within 90 days, with findings to be submitted to an independent organization for further review if any parties are found responsible.