Report City Hall Under Fire for Inadequate Earthquake Compensation

[snoop1130]

Photo via Bangkok Post

 

Bangkok City Hall is facing criticism over its compensation for home repairs following the March 28 earthquake. Concerns arose after People’s Party MP for Bangkok, Supanat Meenchainan, highlighted the inadequacy of the compensation on social media. During a press conference led by Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej, it was revealed that in certain instances additional funds may be available for exceptional cases.

 

Supanat noted that many condominiums suffered significant damage, with repair costs for condo owners likely to reach tens of thousands of baht. However, the proposed compensation was between 300 to 700 baht per unit, with a mere 75 baht allocated for wall cracks. In one instance, compensation offered was as low as 41 baht and 90 satang. Supanat criticised these amounts, arguing they fall far short of what is necessary and reflect poor consideration for the citizens' needs.

 

The MP also criticised the disparity between compensation rates and government spending on construction projects, suggesting taxpayers deserve better treatment. He has raised these concerns with a House standing committee, which is scheduled to question the involved officials on April 24.

 

 

 

At the press conference, Tavida defended the compensation policy, citing adherence to existing disaster mitigation regulations. She explained that compensation is allocated for materials and repairs when damage is limited to specific areas. The deputy governor mentioned that initial estimates might change, as further assessments by city engineers are planned to precede a request for additional budget from the Finance Ministry.

 

Moreover, an amendment proposing higher compensation amounts is to be tabled in Parliament. However, Tavida acknowledged the need for patience, as the approval process might take more time. This development comes amidst growing public impatience and a critical eye on how disaster relief funds are distributed and managed.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-21

 

 

[phil2407]

That’s cheap 75 baht a crack - thought they cost more than that! 😬

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Supanat noted that many condominiums suffered significant damage, with repair costs for condo owners likely to reach tens of thousands of baht. However, the proposed compensation was between 300 to 700 baht per unit, with a mere 75 baht allocated for wall cracks

That's how much they care about people.

[Colki]

I am very surprised that they compensate property owners affected by the earthquake at all. It is not as though they were responsible for the earthquake.

 

I would have thought you would seek out your own cover for such events and I do know that condo owners in Aust / NZ have to have seperate cover for mortgage purposes as cover by Body Corporate does not quarantee adequate cover. So it is possible to obtain. Thailand ??

[portisaacozzy]

1 hour ago, phil2407 said:

That’s cheap 75 baht a crack - thought they cost more than that! 😬

not really cheap,the crack im looking at the moment is big enough to put a car in

[kingstonkid]

It's great to say give them More. But where does the money come from.  Thais are lucky would you like to have the north Carolina bill after losing your house.

 

A solution is to estimate repaircosts for the whole condo and pay condos to repair everyone 

[PETERTHEEATER]

3 hours ago, portisaacozzy said:

not really cheap,the crack im looking at the moment is big enough to put a car in

Try the tunnel next door.

[kuzmabruk]

5 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

It's great to say give them More. But where does the money come from.  Thais are lucky would you like to have the north Carolina bill after losing your house.

 

A solution is to estimate repaircosts for the whole condo and pay condos to repair everyone 

Insurance claim.  No insurance, no claim. 

[kingstonkid]

2 hours ago, kuzmabruk said:

Insurance claim.  No insurance, no claim. 

The challenge I think is that most people do not have insurance, and even if they do, they probably don't have earthquake coverage

[lungbing]

Surely all the compensation must go to that poor consortium whose building collapsed?  

(I jest, before you start arguing the merits of that)