Thailand Agrees Payouts For Victims Of Unrest

[webfact]

Thailand agrees payouts for victims of unrest

BANGKOK, January 10, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand on Tuesday agreed a $63 million pot to compensate all victims of years of political unrest and aid reconciliation in the deeply divided nation, a government spokeswoman said.

The fund will pay out for all deaths and injuries sustained in a string of violent protests since 2005, involving the arch nationalist Yellow Shirts, the mainly rural working-class Red Shirts and several smaller factions.

"The cabinet approved a two billion baht budget for all victims of political violence so they can receive appropriate and fair assistance in line with legal principle and equality," spokeswoman Titima Chaisang told reporters.

She said the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of divisive former premier Thaksin, wanted to show that it had "taken responsibility by giving to all sides".

Families of those who lost their lives will be paid 4.5 million baht ($142,000) plus 250,000 baht ($8,000) for funeral expenses.

Payments to the injured range from 4.5 million baht for those who lost limbs and were left permanently disabled, to 675,000 baht ($21,000) for minor injuries.

The government does not have exact figures on the number of people expected to qualify, although most of the payouts are likely to go to those affected by the crackdown on the Red Shirt rallies in April and May 2010.

The two month street protest brought Bangkok to a standstill and left more than 90 people dead and around 1,900 injured, mostly civilians, in clashes with soldiers.

The demonstrations marked a crescendo in tensions for the politically fractured kingdom, after years of unrest that began months before a 2006 military coup that deposed Thaksin, long despised by the Bangkok elites.

Other protests include the occupation of two Bangkok airports in 2008 by the royalist Yellow Shirts, whose rallies helped unseat Thaksin and his allies from power.

A victory for Yingluck's Pheu Thai party in 2011 elections has done little to dampen fears of further turbulence, with a recent decision to issue a passport to Thaksin stoking tensions with the ex-tycoon's enemies.

The financial assistance package was originally suggested by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-01-10

[Buchholz]

cha-ching

lets just see how fair the determinations on eligibility go

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[whybother]

The government does not have exact figures on the number of people expected to qualify,

Expect a lot of people to come out of the woodwork.

[Soutpeel]

Is the family of the Japanese jouro going to get a payout as well ?

[Moruya]

Democracy doesn't stand a chance in Thailand.

Law and order has even less hope.

[OzMick]

Can we look at this in terms of earnings potential? If we quite generously allow that the average person considered earned B5,000/month after occupational expenses, the death benefit equates to 80 years of potential earnings, and that is excluding any possible leave/illnesss.

A minor injury would pay a benefit in excess of 11 years at the same earnings rate.

IMHO nothing but an incentive for the red-necks to rally for the cause next time they are required.

[FOODLOVER]

Anyone notice that the dams are full? Anyone? Enough with the Red crap! Please take care of the country! High season will not happen again this year and Yinglucks administration wants to give more hand outs? Where is the money coming from? Certainly not from tax revenue. This little ditty just finalized my decision to close my business after 4 years. Adios Red Palm Grill.

[webfact]

COMPENSATION

Compensation package for riot victims of past 6 years

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The Cabinet yesterday approved a plan to pay compensation to victims of political unrest over the past six years, Government Spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang said.

Compensation would be paid for those killed, disabled, maimed, injured, and suffering mental troubles from the incidents, according to the spokesman.

"The rehabilitation will cover all groups of people affected by violent political incidents," from late 2005 when the yellow shirts held a protest against then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, until May 2010, when the red shirts staged street demonstrations against the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva, she said.

The plan refers not only to protesters and their relatives, but also state officials, media workers, and private businesses, the spokeswoman said.

"According to an initial estimate, about Bt2 billion will be required," she added.

Bt4.5 million would be paid for each case of death. The amount was calculated based on the country's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2010, which was Bt150,177. The figure is multiplied by 30 - based on an assumption that the average age of the deceased is 35 and they would have worked for 30 years before their retirement at 65.

The family of each dead victim would be paid Bt250,000 to cover the cost of a funeral, Bt3 million as remedy for their loss, and a maximum Bt200,000 for medical bills.

Medical costs

In cases where victims became disabled, they would each be paid Bt4.5 million. If they lost important organs, they each would get compensation amounting to 80 per cent of the full amount - about Bt3.6 million. If they lost unimportant organs, they would be paid 40 per cent of the full amount, or about Bt1.8 million.

Medical costs would be covered - no more than Bt200,000 for the former group and no more than Bt100,000 for the latter group - as well as cases in which further treatment was needed - maximum Bt200,000 a year for the former group and maximum Bt50,000 a year for the latter group.

Those who suffered injuries would be paid between Bt200,000 and Bt1.12 million, depending on the severity, and their medical costs would be covered - from Bt10,000 to Bt50,000.

The remedy plan was proposed by the government's committee for cooperation and a follow-up of recommendations by the Truth for National Reconciliation Commission, which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit. He said it was based on international principles and that the goal was to attain national reconciliation as the compensation would be for all groups involved.

However, Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke suggested the compensation should only cover victims of the latest political unrest and riots in 2010, in order to prevent people from taking to the streets again, according to a source.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra suggested the Bt4.5 million compensation should not be paid in a lump sum, but instead should be paid in instalments to the victims' families over five years.

-- The Nation 2012-01-11

[Buchholz]

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another victim of unrest in need of remuneration...

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Edited January 11, 2012 by Buchholz

[Reasonableman]

Let's see if those whose lives were totally dislocated and disrupted by these protests, who were forced to endure months of great suffering through no fault of their own, other than living in the wrong place such as Ratchaprasong, are compensated too. It looks as though those responsible for this suffering get compensated, but those otherwise seriously affected, do not. A lot of bitterness remains among those "collaterally damaged".

[Buchholz]

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another victim of unrest in need of remuneration...

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A nice payday for Mr. Savage...

For people who have faced legal actions from their involvement in any political gatherings during the indicated period, a maximum compensation of THB150,177 will be considered, while people who have suffered psychological trauma from such incidents will also be eligible for financial compensation to the maximum of THB3 million.

http://thainews.prd....id=255501110003

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Edited January 11, 2012 by Buchholz

[webfact]

Red-shirt leader Thida plans to meet with interior minister to discuss compensation for political rally victims /TANN

[webfact]

Red Shirts Rejoiced by Approved Compensation Plan

A former leader of the red shirt security guards has expressed approval over the government's plan to offer financial compensations to those killed and injured in political violence.

Initially, the Cabinet has approved 4.5 million baht for each of the deaths related to political unrest.

Secretary to the Interior Minister Aree Krainara, who is also the former head of red shirt security guards, has expressed approval over the government's plan to offer financial compensations to those killed and injured in the political violence of the recent years.

Initially, the Cabinet has approved 4.5 million baht for each of the politically unrest-related deaths as the relatives of the deceased have yet to be assisted by the state.

However, the figure is lower than the 10 million baht proposed earlier by Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan.

At any rate, many see the compensation amount as too small compared to the lives lost as many of those killed were family breadwinners.

Also, the compensation plan could set precedent on the government's management of political protests in the future.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-11

[pimay11]

"Compensation would be paid for those killed, disabled, maimed, injured, and suffering mental troubles from the incidents, according to the spokesman".

So I can apply if I say I now am suffering mental troubles from any of the riots and occupations. Great plan. Where do I sign up?

[jonclark]

Sorry but on what planet does rehabilitation and reconciliation = money??

A lazy policy.

Reconciliation means both parties (reds and yellows) if you like, sitting down and settling their differences with both parties coming away with something positive and progressive. Not one riding rough sod over the other and vindicating this with the 'we won the election' mantra- 11 million still voted against PTP - do their views not count?

As i said a lazy policy by a lazy government

[rixalex]

Sorry but on what planet does rehabilitation and reconciliation = money??

A lazy policy.

Reconciliation means both parties (reds and yellows) if you like, sitting down and settling their differences with both parties coming away with something positive and progressive. Not one riding rough sod over the other and vindicating this with the 'we won the election' mantra- 11 million still voted against PTP - do their views not count?

As i said a lazy policy by a lazy government

If this had the intention of aiding reconciliation, it would a stupid idea, but it doesn't. The intention is to thank those who helped the Thaksin cause. Oh yeah, they'll throw in a few crumbs in the direction of the yellow shirts, to try and make it look non-discriminatory, but the vast majority of these payments will go to the red shirt movement - ie go to themselves. Just watch and see.

[khunken]

Sorry but on what planet does rehabilitation and reconciliation = money??

A lazy policy.

Reconciliation means both parties (reds and yellows) if you like, sitting down and settling their differences with both parties coming away with something positive and progressive. Not one riding rough sod over the other and vindicating this with the 'we won the election' mantra- 11 million still voted against PTP - do their views not count?

As i said a lazy policy by a lazy government

If this had the intention of aiding reconciliation, it would a stupid idea, but it doesn't. The intention is to thank those who helped the Thaksin cause. Oh yeah, they'll throw in a few crumbs in the direction of the yellow shirts, to try and make it look non-discriminatory, but the vast majority of these payments will go to the red shirt movement - ie go to themselves. Just watch and see.

Actually, what you say is within the report:

'However, Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke suggested the compensation should only cover victims of the latest political unrest and riots in 2010, in order to prevent people from taking to the streets again, according to a source.'

It's obvious that this government just throws money at every problem it encounters, ensuring most of it goes to their supporters.

[OzMick]

Who put the vampires in charge of the blood bank?

[sstuff3]

A great way to ensure more people get involved in protest activities in the future. Why reward people for violence?

[Insight]

There appears to be much resentment brewing over this payout. Plenty of photos circulating on Facebook right now showing red shirts abusing soldiers and civilians, along with the burning town hall buildings. (Stuff this forum has seen many times before)

It'll be interesting to see what form this resentment manifests into, if at all.