Bt3.2m proposed for violence victims

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit insisted yesterday that the government would go ahead and pay up to Bt7.75 million in compensation for death and severe disability.

The payments would start today at the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, as scheduled, Yongyuth said. The compensation package approved by the government had been calculated according to well-considered principles and criteria, he said.

Ronnachai Kongsakon, the TRCT member in charge of studies on compensation, rehabilitation and violence prevention, said yesterday that an agency needed to be set up to specifically take charge of rehabilitation. Criteria and guidelines were also needed as normal agencies and guidelines could not do the job.

Pipat Kongsakon, who is in charge of a project to study and issue guidelines and criteria for the rehabilitation of individuals, said rehabilitation was considered for both physical and mental effects. They emphasised human rights and the principle of justice in a period of transition. Thus, rehabilitation with financial or symbolic compensation in the initial state needed no proof or investigation on who caused damage.

Fact-finding and investigation, as well as legal action against wrongdoers, would be another stage, Pipat said.

He said the project had studied experiences and literature from European nations such as Germany and Italy, as well as countries in South America like Argentina and Chile, plus South Africa.

Pipat said special agencies were needed, both central and area units, as well as an office for fund management in the community. 

The Bt3.24 million amount was calculated from a minimum wage of Bt300 per day, multiplied by 30 for a month and then 12 for a year. Then it was multiplied by the remaining time a victim might work – say 30 years, he said. 

Referring to experiences in other countries, the calculation was done regardless of a country’s gross domestic product. However, the amount did not exceed the ceiling for state officials’ compensation.

For the funeral cost, Pipat referred to a regulation used in the United States and based on the Social Security Act. So the amount was put at Bt40,000.

Medical treatment should be compensated according to the bill. And compensation for the loss of opportunity when an injured person cannot go to work should be paid monthly, with the minimum daily wage of the province.

The minimum daily wage in Thailand is highest – Bt300 – in seven provinces including Bangkok.

Likewise, financial compensation should be paid for physical and mental rehabilitation according to the bill, he said. However, compensation for disability or loss of an important part of the body that affects daily life, temporarily or permanently, should be paid according to the minimum daily wage of the province. The payment should be monthly until the victim recovers.

Academic scholarships for the children of victims should be paid at Bt6,000 each annually for children in kindergarten and primary school, with Bt5,000 for non-formal education, Bt10,000 for vocational and secondary school, and Bt20,000 annually for each student studying at university.

The TRCT also proposed compensation for the loss of freedom and damaged property, saying it would not be redundant.

Nicha Hirunburana Thuwatham, wife of the late Colonel Romklao, who was killed during the red-shirt unrest, said she understood and agreed with the guidelines for compensation.
However, it must be clear on what to do in the event that people who have already received money are convicted of crimes during such incidents and whether they are still eligible for a pay-out. Measures should be prepared so it is fair for the victims and relatives.

Sommart Chuaipimai, the mother of Adilak Insantiah, who went missing during the political turmoil two years ago, called for special and active agencies to provide fundamental assistance, such as searching for missing people.