The amount, B9,000 per person, will be paid directly into claimants’ bank accounts, Governor Sophon told reporters on Tuesday (Oct 15). Governor Sophon was speaking at the site of the landslide following a merit-making ceremony held to assuage the grief of those who suffered in the disaster.
Many of those afflicted by the landslide had already received disaster relief support directly from Karon Municipality, Governor Sophon said.
“The remaining B9,000 per household, part of the central government’s compensation, is set to be transferred to the victims’ bank accounts soon,” he said.
The B9,000 per person from the central government is the only compensation to be paid by the central government, The Phuket News was told.
So far none of those affected by the Aug 23 landslide have received any compensation from the central government.
“All compensation from local administrative organisations has already been distributed to the affected residents,” Governor Sophon added.
Anuphong Panarat, secretary to the Phuket Governor, presented a list of disaster relief ’compensation’ that Karon Municipality has already provided to the victims, as follows:
- Funeral expenses for 13 deceased persons: B475,200
- Assistance for 6 injured persons: B47,100
- Repair costs for 15 fully damaged houses: B643,500
- Repair costs for 75 partially damaged houses: B3,663,000
- Rent assistance for 13 households with damaged rental homes: B46,800
- Clothes expenses for 350 persons: B355,400
- Tools and career capital for 73 households: B736,680
- Kitchenware and equipment for 103 households: B312,800
- Bed linen expenses for 344 persons: B314,200
The total compensation amounted to B6,594,680
“The compensation received by each person depended on the criteria set by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, which is responsible for conducting surveys and providing aid,” Mr Anuphong said.
All B6.59 million provided by Karon Municipality has come from its own budgets, to be reimbursed by central government later, he added.
“Since the incident, efforts have focused on rehabilitation and compensation in all areas, with particular attention to mental health support. Local government agencies have been actively providing care and encouragement to the affected residents,” Governor Sophon said.
“Currently, the community feels more encouraged to move forward and is fully committed to following disaster prevention measures at all times,” he added.
It has yet to be made clear how much was paid to each person affected by the deadly landslide, which killed 13 people.
At Wat Chaithararam (Wat Chalong) on Aug 30, officials from the Phuket Provincial Social Security Office presented compensation to the next-of-kin of three of the Myanmar workers killed in the landslide.
Landslide victims Ms Ei Ei San and Mr Aung Paing Phyo, both employees of Coral 789 Co Ltd, were entitled to each receive funeral expenses of B50,000 and a pension payout of B11,700.
Ms Let Let San, previously employed by Mr Samran Chophon, was entitled to receive funeral expenses of B50,000 and retirement benefits of B900, said an official report of the handout.
Bannarak Sermthong, Deputy Director-General of the Royal Forest Department, has confirmed that the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Sattha 45 Foundation, which operates the tourist-popular Big Buddha viewpoint on the hills between Kata and Chalong, will face charges for causing, or at least contributing to, the devastating landslide on Aug 23.
Both Mr Anuphong and Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee highlighted that the investigation was key in any legal action against the foundation in providing compensation to victims.