Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn explains
why the promised relief funds haven’t been forthcoming.
Pratchaya Kerdthong
Nearly two months after a violent storm damaged homes
and boats around Pattaya, victims are still waiting for relief payments
promised by the city.
At the latest in a series of meetings on compensation
to victims of the March 23 storm, Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn again
reviewed how much money the city will have to request from Chonburi
Province and set out more requirements victims need to meet to get paid.
About 50 homes on Soi Wat Thamsamakkee in South
Pattaya and on Koh Larn were damaged by the overnight gale. About 10
boats also were damaged or sunk.
While the city immediately pledged to give victims up
to 20,000 baht each, the city still has not requested the money from
provincial officials.
Now, Wutisak says, boat owners will have to present a
fishing license and registration in order to qualify for compensation of
up to 10,000 baht per boat. Furthermore, city inspectors will be the
ones making damage assessments, he said.
Homeowners, meanwhile, are now being promised up to 30,000 baht if
their entire home was destroyed. Proper home registrations will be
required, however, and city officials will estimate the value of the
damage.
