Govt Rejects Payout for Rocket-Damaged Petrol Station

Over one year after a deadly rocket attack destroyed a petrol station in Thailand’s Sisaket province, the government has ruled that the business owner is not entitled to compensation from the state’s disaster relief fund.

The PTT petrol station in Kantharalak district was hit by BM-21 rockets on July 24 last year during cross-border fighting, leaving eight people dead and 13 injured. While financial assistance has been provided to victims and their families, the owner of the destroyed business has been told the damage falls outside the scope of government compensation.

Business owner left without state support

On July 22, station owner Kamonrat Phonsertalert joined relatives of those killed and local residents at a merit-making ceremony marking the first anniversary of the attack.

Kamonrat has spent the past year seeking financial assistance after estimating her losses at around 14 million baht. In interviews with Thai media last August, she said the trauma of the attack required psychological treatment and that she remained responsible for supporting her employees despite losing the business.

She also explained that her insurance policies provided only limited protection. One policy excluded damage caused by war, while another covered only structural damage to buildings. After failing to secure compensation through other channels, she submitted a petition to Parliament asking for assistance similar to that received by the victims’ families.

Government cites relief regulations

Speaking at a press conference, Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the claim did not qualify under the regulations governing the government’s disaster relief fund.

According to Ratchada, the destroyed property was part of a private business, meaning any compensation should come from the relevant insurance companies and PTT, the station’s parent company, rather than the state.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

She added that government funding had been distributed fairly and in accordance with the rules covering assistance for those affected by the attack.

The anniversary ceremony also highlighted the lasting impact on survivors and bereaved families. Busaba Khamwang, whose child was among those killed, told Khaosod English that no financial payment could ever replace the loss of a loved one. Survivor Komsan Prachan said it was his first visit back to the station since losing his wife and children in the attack, adding that compensation could never erase what had happened.

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29 July 2026

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