BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 – The Cabinet on Thursday endorsed an increase in the amount of assistance money to the northern earthquake victims, while Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt indicated that repairs to the Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai route number 118 should be finished in 5 days.
Minister Chadchart told the meeting that the 60-meter long damaged stretch of Route 118 had been repaired and the segment was already servicing traffic normally. The spot where land subsidence occurred, however, would likely take 5 days to be repaired.
Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan and Deputy Interior Minister Wisan Techathirawat told the meeting that 8,000 homes in 7 districts were damaged. Village headmen and sub-district chiefs have been told to complete damage assessment within 10 days. The governors of the 14 northern provinces were also told to set up donation centers for the quake victims.
Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Yukhon Limlaemthong will take over the post of chairperson of the committee for the assistance of the quake victims, in place of Plodprasop Suraswadi whose ministerial status has been terminated.
Initially, the owner of homes that were entirely damaged will receive 33,000 baht. The Cabinet was, however, seeking to amend the regulations in order for the assistance money to be increased.
