GOVT ATTACKED OVER SLOW COMPENSATION

The move followed four protests by Lam Luk Ka district residents demanding fair compensation. Months ago they also appealed to the provincial authority, which urged them to resubmit the damage information for a compensation review.

 

Leading member Atapol Arunoros said although the flood-water receded six months ago sluice gates remain-ed broken, drainage pipes blocked and canals un-cleared. He said his group would follow up on the problem for another 30 days.

 

Acting government spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard yesterday urged flood-affected people not to protest but to take whatever compensation money was paid for now. Yongyuth had set a committee meeting on flood damage to re-assess Pathum Thani from June 15 onwards and that would take about 30 days. If initial pay-outs were found to be insufficient, the government would add more funds, he said.

 

Yongyuth later said he hoped the situation would improve after June 15. Asked if a governor should be held responsible, he said there were problems that needed to be solved.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Bangkok Governor Malinee Sukvejvorakij urged the government to speed up payment of compensation owed to the city according to Finance Ministry regulations. She said the city-assigned committee for flood aid had proposed a Bt1.12-billion fund to help flood-hit residents in Bangkok’s 36 districts. 

 

The proposed payments include Bt1.12 billion for repairs to 108,111 partly damaged homes; material to rebuild two totally damaged homes (Bt60,000); rents for 308 homes (Bt818,498); compensation for 9,675 damaged tools (Bt66.7 million); and funeral costs for 79 individuals (Bt2.75 million).