Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, disclosed that Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, expressed her deepest condolences over the crane accident that collapsed onto a train on the Krung Thep Aphiwat–Ubon Ratchathani route. She has therefore instructed the Social Security Office to verify insured persons who were killed or injured, in order to provide assistance and compensation benefits as quickly as possible. This also includes relief for insured persons affected by the bomb attacks in the three southern border provinces.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, spoke about the assistance and compensation provided to insured persons who were killed or injured in the crane collapse on a train in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. On behalf of the Ministry of Labour, he stated that he had instructed the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Social Security Office to conduct on-site inspections and verify information on the insured persons who were killed or injured. A total of 208 passengers were travelling on the train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station to Ubon Ratchathani. Of these, 66 passengers were injured, including 12 insured persons. There were 32 fatalities, of whom 12 have been identified, while another 20 are undergoing identity verification due to bodies being burned. Three passengers are missing, and officials are currently searching for them. Among those whose identities have been confirmed, 4 were insured persons, and 5 had ceased to be insured persons.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong further stated that, regarding compensation and assistance for insured persons affected by this incident, the Ministry of Labour, through the Social Security Office, will provide the following benefits: Under the Social Security Fund, injury cases will receive medical treatment costs, whereby treatment at public hospitals is provided free of charge. For work stoppage, an income compensation at 50% of wages, for up to 180 days. For death cases, dependents are entitled to funeral expenses of 50,000 Baht, death benefits, and old-age lump-sum benefits, with a full refund of contributions together with accrued interest. Under the Workmen’s Compensation Fund (work-related accidents), injury cases receive medical treatment costs, with treatment at public hospitals free of charge until the end of treatment. For private hospitals, medical expenses range from 65,000 to 1,000,000 Baht. Income compensation at 70% of wages. In death cases, dependents are entitled to funeral expenses of 50,000 Baht and monthly compensation equal to 70% of the salary for a period of 10 years.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong also provided an update on the progress of assistance for insured persons injured in the bomb attacks in the three southern border provinces on January 11. According to checks by local Social Security Offices in Yala Province, 2 insured persons under Section 33 were injured and have now returned home to recover. In Pattani Province, 3 insured persons were injured; 1 has returned home to recover, and 1 remains in the hospital. In Narathiwat Province, 2 insured persons were injured and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
With regard to compensation and assistance for insured persons injured in the bomb attacks in the three southern border provinces, the Social Security Office – Workmen’s Compensation Fund (work-related cases) will cover medical treatment costs up to an initial limit of 65,000 Baht. Public hospitals will provide treatment free of charge until recovery, while private hospitals are covered up to 1 million Baht. In cases of work stoppage, income compensation is payable at 70% of wages for up to 1 year. In cases of organ loss, compensation at 70% of salary is payable for up to 120 months. In cases of disability, compensation at 70% of wages is payable for life. Under the Social Security Fund (non-work-related cases), for emergency illness or injury, medical treatment at designated healthcare facilities is provided free of charge. If treatment is required at a non-designated facility, it may be received at any hospital within 72 hours prior to transfer to the designated facility. Income compensation for loss of earnings is payable at 50% of wages. In cases of disability, if severe, income compensation at 50% of salary is payable for life; if not severe, income compensation at 30% of wages is payable for 15 years.
In this regard, the Ministry of Labour, through the Social Security Office, will assign officials to facilitate the submission of documents for claiming the above benefits. Further enquiries may be made at any Social Security Office or via the Ministry of Labour hotline 1506, press 1.
