The Labour Minister granted compensation to the family of the Thai worker who died of asthma in South Korea and urged the Department of Labour at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul to facilitate the cremation in South Korea before the family bring the ashes back to Thailand.
On October 26, 2018 at the Ministry of Labour, Labour Minister H.E. Police General Adul Sangsingkeo granted compensation from the Social Security Office to the family of Ms. Ratikarn Polboon, 27, a Nong Bua Lamphu resident and Thai worker who died from asthma in a South Korean hospital. The compensation included 40,000 Baht for funeral expenses, 26,564.60 Baht in compensation for death and 54,850.10 Baht for pension, totaling 121,414.70 Baht.
Pol.Gen. Adul said that from the officer’s information, Ms. Ratikarn was an illegal Thai worker in South Korea with her husband, Mr. Veerapong Sobuntao, who travelled into South Korea on a tourist visa on May 17, 2018. They were solicited through Facebook at the cost of 55,000 Baht each to work in the agricultural sector for an income of around 2,000 Baht per day, rotating between workplaces. Before traveling to Korea, the couple worked at Panasonic, receiving a salary of 10,000 – 20,000 Baht each month. Ms. Ratikarn then became ill with asthma and was hospitalized in South Korea, until her death on October 18, 2018. The cost was around 1 million Baht, but the embassy negotiated a reduction to approximately 300,000 Baht and funeral costs of around 60,000 Baht, which the family borrowed and sent to Mr. Veerapong. Relatives also contacted the “3 Miti” news program for assistance.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul negotiated for the reduction of medical expenses from about 1 million Baht to 300,000 Baht and helped carry out the funeral of Ms. Ratikarn Polboon on October 25, 2018, and a return flight ticket to Thailand. The Labour Division took Mr. Veerapong to Incheon Airport Terminal 2 to report himself to immigration before boarding, as Mr. Veerapong stayed in South Korea over 90 days, thus they recommend Mr. Veerapong return to ensure he entered again legally. On October 26, 2018, Mr. Veerapong returned to Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12.45 hours, to take the ashes of Ms. Ratikarn for further funeral ceremonies in Thailand.
At 08.30 hours (Oct 26, 2018), at the Ministry of Labour, the Labour Minister held a VDO conference with the Advisory Minister (Labour Division) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, the Advisory Minister (Labour Division) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore and the Ministry of Labour’s agencies in Mahasarakham and Nong Bua Lamphu provinces. He expressed his condolences to the family of the Thai worker who died and emphasized for all parties to facilitate and help families of Thai workers who pass.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Information by Social Security Office/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
October 26, 2018
