Bangkok: The Department of Rights Protection has announced a compensation scheme for soldiers and civilians affected by incidents occurring on the Thai-Cambodian border. The maximum compensation amount is set at 200,000 baht, and families of the victims are advised to file a police report and obtain a criminal case number for consideration by the provincial subcommittee.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Teerayut Kaewsing, Deputy Director-General and spokesperson for the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, outlined the criteria for financial assistance. The Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, under the Ministry of Justice, adheres to the Act on Compensation for Victims and Compensation and Expenses for Defendants in Criminal Cases B.E. 2544 (2001) and its amendment B.E. 2559 (2016). Eligible victims must have suffered damage to life, body, or mind, must not have been involved in the incident, and the incident must be classified as a criminal offense committed by another person. This includes cases involving stray bullets. The determination of “criminal offense” and “others” under the Thai Criminal Code is crucial, especially when foreign forces are involved. The police must accept the report as a criminal case and assign a criminal case number for the compensation process to proceed.
Mr. Thirayut clarified that compensation payments do not require the case to reach court if the victim is deemed uninvolved in any wrongdoing. The provincial subcommittee can proceed based on the investigator’s opinion. The subcommittee, chaired by the provincial governor or deputy governor, includes representatives from various relevant agencies and will determine the compensation distribution among the heirs of the victims.
Mr. Thirayut detailed the compensation ranges, stating that approvals under the Act on Compensation of Victims and Compensation and Expenses for Defendants in Criminal Cases B.E. 2544 (2001) and its amendment B.E. 2559 (2016) range from 110,000 to 200,000 baht. This includes 100,000 baht for death compensation, 20,000 baht for funeral expenses, 40,000 baht for loss of support, and 40,000 baht for other damages in serious public interest crimes. Injured victims are eligible for compensation covering medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and loss of earnings, with specific limits. All cases hinge on the investigator’s conclusions and the provincial subcommittee’s considerations.
Mr. Thirayut concluded by emphasizing that Justice Minister Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong has directed the Rights Protection Department to deploy officials to the affected areas to receive complaints, provide legal guidance, and inform individuals of their compensation rights under the applicable laws.