Where's All That Money Going?

[sriracha john]

quite disheartening to read:

We’ve received nothing: Tsunami victims

Published on February 02, 2005

Tsunami victims will band together after the election to petition the government for assistance money promised to them but never paid, villagers said yesterday, complaining that the government has only helped big-business operators while ignoring regular citizens.

Prathan Banpeung, from Ban Nam Khem village in Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district, said villagers had not yet received any government money, even though claim forms and related documents have been submitted.

“We don’t know why the delay in payment. Villagers have not received money needed to buy tools with which to make a living,” said Prathan. Another Ban Nam Khem resident, Daeng Phatthalung, said villagers would form a group to lobby the relevant government agencies, because it has been almost a month since paperwork was submitted and still no assistance had been received. Only large businesses have received any mention of financial help during government meetings.

“Villagers need help too, not just the large businesses that the government is trying hard to help,” Daeng said.

But the villager said they would wait until the election was over, so as to avoid accusations of being politically motivated.

Fisherman Pornthep Thongpenchan, from Phang Nga’s Thai Muang district, said that about 70 fishing families had not received sufficient assistance from the government. Half of their fishing boats were completely destroyed, and claims for compensation had been submitted.

“We want to rebuild and repair the boats and tools to support our families.”

So far, the Tambon Thap Lamu administration has given them Bt2,500 per boat, and local temples Bt1,000 per family. Also, the Nakhon Si Thammarat Industrial and Shipbuilding College has helped make repairs and cover expenses.

Ip Kiedsang, a fisherman in Ranong’s Suk Samran sub-district, said he had received Bt66,000 but needed more to build a new boat to replace the old one. “A boat engine alone costs Bt30,000 to Bt40,000, excluding shipbuilding expenses, so with this money, I must choose between an engine and a boat. Either way, I still can’t go to sea.”

Ranong fisheries official Sunthorn Anekmetheepreuksa said the Fisheries Department has set asideBt900 million to help fishermen. Additional funds for boat repairs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. He urged boat owners to tell his department what else was needed, although he believed only a few were affected.

Ranong Governor Winai Mongkolthan said compensation would be paid to both licensed and unlicensed fishermen, divided into two groups: up to Bt30,000 would be paid for damaged boats and Bt66,000 for sunk or missing boats, on a case-by-case basis.

[phuketrichard]

Hey;

I have been telling you all this for weeks! Still no money here in Kamala.

Thaksin promised 20,000 baht to affected people.

WAY to little and WHEN??? We are in the middle of the high season here in Phuket and the ebach is 90% empty!

Went to Surin beach yesterday. full of umbrellas and chairs (2 deep in places) and there must be over 40 resturants ON THE BEACH and maybe 100 tourists!!

Patong has the chairs and Umbrellas and very few tourists, Kamala no of either.

There will be some hungry people come april and by August....