Payments start over oil spill

PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom and Rayong governor Wichit Chartpaisit led a group of staff members to hand out the compensation at a visitor centre in Khao Leam Ya-Mu Koh Samet National Park.
Wichit said this compensation was meant for those who were directly affected by the spill. The compensation, calculated by bank officials, was paid to street food vendors, motorcycle rental firms, scuba instructors, newspaper vendors, massage parlours, jet-ski renters and ferry operators.
Compensation for a group of 500 affected fishermen will be provided today.
People who registered between July and August will be eligible to receive compensation until the end of this month. Each will be paid Bt15,000 a month or Bt500 a day, while fisherman will be provided Bt30,000 per month.
Other groups, such as resort owners who incurred damages worth more than Bt100,000, will be compensated next month. PTTGC said compensation will be paid based on evidence of damage.