Nearly half of flood-hit victims have approached loan
sharks for restoration funds for their flood-ravaged homes, while more
than half said the government’s financial aid should be higher than the
current scheme at Bt5,000, according to a survey released by ABAC Poll
on Sunday.
The poll for “Expenses on rehabilitation of
flood-damaged houses and assets after floodwater recedes” was conducted
on 1,738 respondents between Dec 15, 2011 - Jan 7, 2012 in nine
provinces including Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya,
Angthong, Nakhon Pathom, Suphanburi, Lopburi and Nakhon Sawan.
Some 86.5 percent of respondents were flood victims
who said their daily cost of living has elevated, while 81.6 percent
said their houses were damaged by floodwater and 61.7 percent said their
assets, such as cars, electronic devices and furniture were damaged by
flood.
More than two-thirds, or 68.4 percent, stated the
average cost for house restoration was around Bt37,022, while the
highest repair cost answered in the poll was at Bt500,000.
Furthermore, 40.6 percent said they spent
approximately Bt20,745 to fix electronic devices and furniture, while
another 20.6 percent said the average cost for restoration of house’s
infrastructure was at Bt7,096.
Regarding their sources of funds for housing
restoration, 84.2 percent said they used their own savings, while nearly
half - or 40.8 percent - admitted they sought help from professional
loan sharks to cover expenses and 16.4 percent asked for a loan from
banks.
When asked about the appropriateness of Bt5,000 of
budget allocated by the government to flood victims, more than half -
59.5 percent - said they wanted a higher amount of financial aid from
the state, while 40.5 percent stated they are satisfied with the current
budget.
Thailand’s 65 provinces, including the capital, have
been hit by the country’s worst flooding in decades which began last
July. Flood-related death toll has risen to 813 as of Sunday. The
situation has now eased and the country is continuing with the
rehabilitation process. (MCOT)
