Nearly 150k households receive relief

5,000-baht payment 'simply not enough'

- SURACHAI PIRAGSA

Nearly 150,000 households displaced by clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border have begun receiving relief payments from the government, though many recipients say the amount is simply not enough to cover their losses, especially if fresh clashes erupt.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) yesterday, 147,370 households in Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, and Surin have received financial assistance from the government — 39,632 in Buri Ram, 37,297 in Si Sa Ket, and 70,441 in Surin.

In line with a resolution passed by the cabinet on Aug 26, households that were displaced for more than eight days are eligible to receive 5,000 baht in compensation, while households which were displaced for less than seven days would receive 2,000 baht each.