Bangkok: Compensation of 1,170,000 baht per person was provided for those affected by the crane collapse on Rama 2 Road. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, witnessed the handover of compensation to the families of those who lost loved ones in the crane collapse incident on Rama 2 Road, and pledged to expedite assistance.
According to Thai News Agency, the ceremony took place at the Royal Chariot Club Auditorium, Ministry of Transport. Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn presided over the event to present compensation to the families of those who died in the collapse of a concrete beam and crane at the construction site of Highway No. 82 (M82), Bang Khun Thian - Ban Phaeo elevated highway, section Ekachai - Ban Phaeo, part 7, Samut Sakhon province.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Transport, including Mr. Chayatham Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Jirapong Theppitak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Suebpong Paisalwattana, Economic Advisor on Land Transport; and Mr. Songyosin Chanpathathip, Inspector General of the Ministry of Transport. Also present were Mr. Piyapong Chiwatnakulpaishal, Director-General of the Department of Highways, and other executives from the Department of Highways; the Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport; the Acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand; executives from Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited; and the families of the deceased.
Mr. Pipat expressed condolences to the families, emphasizing the state's duty to provide assistance promptly and fairly. He ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, stating that any negligence or legal violations would lead to strict legal and administrative action. He highlighted the importance of safety in all construction projects under the Ministry of Transport.
Mr. Piyapong Chiwatnakulpaisan detailed the compensation payments to the heirs of the two deceased victims. He mentioned that they received a royal grant of 20,000 baht, and would receive additional compensation of 1,150,000 baht per family from Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited.
Further financial assistance and compensation are being provided by the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Highways, as well as protection from various government agencies, including the Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Protection Act, the Act on Compensation for Victims and Reimbursement of Expenses for Defendants in Criminal Cases from the Ministry of Justice, the Disaster Relief Fund from the Office of the Prime Minister, and benefits such as old-age pensions from the Social Security Fund of the Ministry of Labour.
After the ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport personally offered condolences to the families, assuring them that the government and the Ministry of Transport would support them in submitting all necessary documents for the compensation process until they received full payment.