Deep South violence victims to receive THB7.5mil compensation

BANGKOK, 4 January 2012 (NNT) – The government of Thailand has confirmed on Friday that victims of years of violence in strife-torn southern border region will be eligible for the THB7-million compensation as well.

Mr. Yongyuth Wichaidit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, revealed that the Southern Border Provinces Development Strategy Committee has recently agreed with the compensation plan for victims of insurgency-related violence, particularly those who have been affected by the operations of security forces.

The plan, proposed by the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), called for the financial compensation of THB7 million to the family of each life lost.

When added to the regular compensation of THB500,000 that the government has been paying, the family of each Deep South violence victim will now be receiving THB7.5 million.

For those injured in southern violence, Mr. Yongyuth said that the level of compensation will vary, in accordance with existing regulations.

He added that once the new compensation plan is officially endorsed and announced by the SBPAC, the payment will be effective, tentatively, next week, without an approval by the Cabinet.

The DPM affirmed that families of people, who died or were injured in the Krue Se mosque raid and the Tak Bai police station incident in 2004 will be eligible to receive the state compensation.

And in related developments, Mr. Yongyuth said that the Committee has resolved to propose that major Buddhist and Islamic days will be made public holidays in 5 southern border provinces, which include Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. This proposal will be presented to the Cabinet for approval soon.