Thai govt makes first payouts to violence victims today | Bangkok Post

Thai govt makes first payouts to violence victims today | Bangkok Post
Achara Ashayagachat, Bangkok Post, May 24, 2012

The government makes the first compensation payouts to victims of political violence today, ushering in an era of reconciliation which has drawn mixed reactions even from its red shirt supporters.

Under the package, 522 people from both colour-coded groups have been deemed entitled to receive payments.

The ceremony will be held at Government House this afternoon, when those eligible will receive a compensation package from the hand of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The first tranche of payments, totalling more than 577 million baht, is for a total of 44 deaths, 56 severe injuries, 177 less severe injuries, and 239 minor injuries, and six disabilities.

The government in January approved the compensation package for victims of political unrest which took place between 2005 and the 2010 Bangkok violence.

Under the package, which is based on suggestions by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the family of each slain victim will be entitled to 7.7 million baht (257,000 USD), while the injured will receive different amounts of compensation depending on the severity of their injuries.

Elisabetta Polenghi, younger sister of Italian journalist Fabio who was killed on May 19, expects to receive the full amount of 7.7 million baht.

The compensation for Reuters cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto will not be handed out today as his family and the Japanese embassy would like to keep the matter low-key.

Former premier Thaksin said during his phone-in to the red shirt rally to mark the second anniversary of the crackdown last Saturday that the compensation would pave the way for national reconciliation. Some relatives of fallen red shirts, however, do not agree.

"I understand and sympathise with Khun Thaksin but I'm quite disappointed too since it's people like our family who had to sacrifice for justice and for reconciliation," said Waranid Asawasirimunkhong, wife of Thanuthat who was shot in the Bon Kai area on May 14, 2010 and died in March this year.

Mrs Waranid, who is entitled to compensation but whose name is not among the first lot, said she would not withdraw a civil suit she has filed against the government until she gets full compensation.

Red shirts who are still in jail have a more immediate concern than national reconciliation. "This issue [reconciliation] is too big for me. What worries me most is how to get bail. We need freedom," said Buarien, from Udon Thani, speaking from the temporary prison in Lak Si.

Somsak Prasansap, 52, from Ubon Ratchathani, who was jailed for 33 years for torching the provincial hall said: "We have fought this hard just to get him [Thaksin] back. Now everyone must sacrifice so we can get a great leader."