Govt Moves To Pay Compensation To Tsunami Victims

Govt moves to pay compensation to tsunami victims

BANGKOK: -- The government has announced compensation payments for the survivors of last weekend's tsunami disaster.

Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, who chairs the disaster relief fund committee, said that donations for the tsunami victims has risen to nearly 200 million baht, and the prime minister had ordered the distribution of the relief funds without delay.

Almost 2,000 people died and thousands of others were injured when destructive waves hit Thailand's six Andaman sea coastal provinces on Sunday.

About 22 million baht has already been given to the governors of Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Ranong to fund rescue and relief operations.

Compensation will be paid to the victims or their relatives beginning on Saturday at the latest. The deputy minister said 10,000 baht will be paid to the relatives of each person killed or missing, while 2,000 baht will be given to every injured person.

Officials from the Disaster Relief Fund will distribute the money from the city halls in the six provinces.

Mr. Suwat also said that a budget of 20 million baht had been also approved for the Tourism Authority of Thailand to help foreign victims of the disaster.

The money is to be spent on accommodation for those affected, as well as flights back to their home countries.

--TNA 2004-12-30