Sisaket: The Budget Monitoring Committee discussed compensation for the Ban Phue gas station. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DPO) of Sisaket explained that as a private company, it does not meet the Ministry of Finance's criteria for compensation. Meanwhile, the gas station owner insisted he is a Thai citizen, not a foreigner, and did not throw a bomb at his own station. He urged the government to clarify whether or not compensation will be paid.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a Member of Parliament from the People's Party (list proportional representation), in her capacity as Chair of the House of Representatives' Committee on Budget Preparation and Monitoring, announced after the committee meeting that the committee had considered the follow-up on compensation payments to victims of the Thai-Cambodian clashes at the Ban Phue gas station in Kantaralak District, Sisaket Province. Ms. Kamolrat Pholsetthalert, the owner of the gas station, also attended the meeting. The committee invited representatives from the Sisaket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office and the Prime Minister's Office to provide clarification.
Ms. Rakchanok revealed that she learned from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office of Sisaket Province that, according to the Ministry of Finance's regulations, compensation is only provided for those injured and killed. However, other damages, whether from the province or funds under the Prime Minister's Office, are not covered. She noted that the case at the gas station was truly exceptional and urged the relevant agencies to reconsider. She also requested a review of the government's previous promise of assistance to ensure that this case, and others affected, receive fair and adequate compensation.
Ms. Kamolrat stated that, due to the fact that the bomb originated from abroad, it did not meet the insurance criteria of the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC), which does not cover gas stations. Therefore, she only received humanitarian insurance of 1 million baht. In addition, she has private sector insurance, but has not yet received any from the government. During the transition period of government, government agencies have discussed providing compensation, and she wants the government to help in this matter as well, because they are suffering and it is not acceptable to say that they are a private company or not a citizen.
'I hold a Thai national ID card; I am a Thai citizen, not a foreigner. And I didn't plant the bomb at my own gas station. It was a mistake in the government's administration that led to this situation. Therefore, no matter which government comes into power, I ask that they continue this work. I would like the government to focus on border security, perhaps including war insurance. I ask that they use my case as an example to prevent such incidents from happening again. And whether or not the government will provide compensation, please send me the documents so I don't have to wait any longer,' said Ms. Kamolrat.