Huai Khwang: People are continuously submitting requests for compensation for damages from the earthquake. In Huai Khwang District, the number of people has increased to more than 1,000.
According to Thai News Agency, the atmosphere inside the Huai Khwang District Office, which opened a point for submitting requests for assistance for those affected by the earthquake, was bustling. Most of the people were owners and residents of condominiums who have come in large numbers to submit requests for assistance. They have been continuously coming in since the office opened at 8:00 a.m., with district office staff facilitating them. Those who come to submit requests must prepare their documents and fill out the form to investigate the facts of the victims in requesting assistance. Each person submitting a request takes no more than 20 minutes.
Inside the office, there were police officers from the local police station facilitating and informing to record the daily record to issue documents for requesting compensation. However, the officers also advised that for speed, they could record the daily record before contacting the district office. As for the damage photos, once taken, they must be printed out as documents to illustrate the damage. The information that Huai Khwang District Office has purchased has started to open for submission from March 31 - April 7, 2025, with a total of 1,166 people applying for compensation. The district office is accepting earthquake complaints until April 27.
A condo owner in Huai Khwang mentioned that the condo he lives in has cracks in the walls due to the earthquake. He personally has insurance for his room that covers earthquakes but wants to receive compensation from the district as per his rights. Even though it is not a lot of money, he will use it to make additional repairs. He noted that the process is not complicated if documents are prepared in advance, making the process swift.
Mr. Thatchadham, who came to apply for compensation at the Huai Khwang District Office, shared that he lives on the 15th floor and observed a crack in the wall. He admitted that everyone living in the condo is somewhat worried but believes that everyone must learn to live with earthquakes as they could happen again. He is still relieved that the condo is not a big problem. He has insurance for his personal room and has insurance for the condo building and has come to apply for additional compensation according to his rights. He emphasized that anyone who comes to apply should print out a color picture and may include a room plan to show the damage more clearly.
For compensation according to the Bangkok regulations on disaster relief B.E. 2537 and its amendments (No. 5) B.E. 2564, disaster victims can notify their intention to request assistance at any district office within 30 days from the date of the incident (by April 27, 2568).
The criteria and conditions for providing assistance to disaster victims are as follows:
- Disaster (earthquake) caused damage to residential houses.
- Must be a permanent residence and must have a disaster victim certificate issued by the district office as evidence, including a registered residence, a rented house where the renter receives assistance, other residences that are affected by the disaster, such as a permanent residence but without a registered residence.
For the items that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office are providing assistance for, they include:
- The cost of materials for repairing the permanent residence that the affected person owns and is damaged, as actually paid, not exceeding 49,500 baht per house.
- Temporary accommodation or house rent is paid only for buildings that the BMA has announced to be suspended and are not in shelters that the BMA has allocated as house rent of 3,000 baht per month, not exceeding 2 months, not exceeding 6,000 baht.
- Funeral expenses for the deceased are 29,700 baht per person. In cases where the deceased is the head of the family or the main breadwinner of the family, an additional 29,700 baht per family is paid.
- Compensation for the injured (according to a medical certificate) In the case of serious injury, initial assistance is 4,000 baht. In the case of injury to the point of disability, initial assistance is 13,300 baht.
- Consolation money (according to a medical certificate) in the event of injury from a disaster, 2,300 baht per person
- Career capital, helping each family not more than 11,400 baht
This is in accordance with the assessment of the Area Committee, which is the unit that surveys and assesses the damage and reports to the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office to request financial assistance from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.