Thai Gas Station Owner Hit by BM-21 Rocket Faces Own Fate Without Government Aid

The owner of a gas station near the Thai-Cambodian border, which suffered extensive damage from a BM-21 rocket fired by Cambodian forces, has stated they will accept their fate if sufficient compensation is not received from the government. This was revealed on social media by Wassawat Puangphonsri, a party-list Member of Parliament from the Thai Ruam Palang Party. The incident in question occurred on July 24, 2024, when a PTT gas station and convenience store in Kantaralak District, Sisaket Province, was hit by a rocket from Cambodian forces. Initially, the affected owner claimed to have received no compensation from the government. A government spokesperson had explained that the owner was ineligible for aid from the Disaster Victim Relief Fund as they had already received compensation from insurance companies and private entities. However, following direct discussions between the MP and the owner, the reality of the situation has become clearer. Aid of 9 million baht from the CP Group was provided in the form of goods, not cash. The 1 million baht insurance payout was for humanitarian assistance, as war damage is not covered by the policy, and the owner had paid the premiums themselves. PTT provided assistance only for the roof structure of the gas station, covering approximately half the cost. The remaining damages, including demolition costs, new building construction, and loss of income, amount to over 10 million baht, which the owner must bear. Furthermore, the government has provided no assistance to date. Although officials initially indicated that half of the damages could be covered, the government spokesperson's recent clarification suggests this is no longer possible. The owner informed the MP that if they ultimately do not receive government compensation, they are prepared to accept their fate and continue moving forward. The MP stated they will attempt to find ways to review the compensation criteria through parliamentary committee processes, aiming to ensure that those genuinely affected are not disqualified solely due to legal technicalities and receive fair treatment.