Bangkok: "Thirat" has unveiled the necessity to modify compensation criteria to address new forms of disasters. Deputy Interior Minister Teerarat underscored the importance of supporting all affected families in border areas and is expediting adjustments to compensation criteria to align with the current disaster scenario.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Thirat Rattanawanich, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, outlined measures to assist those impacted by the unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border. She affirmed the government's proactive stance, providing immediate assistance since the onset of the incident to alleviate the hardship faced by every family involved.
Ms. Thirat reported that damage assessments in several border provinces, including Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, and Sisaket, showed that hundreds of homes suffered damage. The Ministry of Interior has consistently offered relief since the disaster began and has accelerated the repair process for numerous homes. In cases where homes were completely destroyed, the private sector has contributed by supplying temporary housing solutions, such as knock-down houses, until repairs are finalized.
"The government has also sanctioned assistance for water and electricity bills covering July and August to ease the financial pressure on families relocated to shelters. Efforts are underway to coordinate with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to address retroactive billing issues, preventing confusion over bills from previous months. These charges can be offset against future billing cycles," Ms. Thirat stated.
Ms. Thirat highlighted that this incident introduces a novel type of disaster, differing from traditional natural disasters. Over the past month, the government has managed to sustain its operations efficiently and without interruption.
Concerning public relief efforts, Ms. Thirat assured that the process is being conducted methodically. The government is set to authorize financial aid and must proceed transparently in line with legal guidelines. However, it is acknowledged that certain areas cannot be accommodated under existing relief criteria due to the unique evacuation circumstances, which differ from previous landslides or floods. As a result, revisions to relief payment criteria and other support measures are underway to reflect the disaster's reality, ensuring rapid, comprehensive, and equitable access to assistance for all affected families.