PHUKET: Officials on Phuket are trying to win backing for a one million baht fund so that tourists can be compensated quickly in cases where money is needed speedily.
The idea sprang from talks between Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong and the Phuket Director of the Tourism and Sport Ministry, Santi Pawai, after the bus crash that killed three Chinese tourists and left several more in hospital on Phuket this week
Khun Santi also visited a German tourist, Rudi Dann, in Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Mr Dann, struck by the propeller of a longtail boat while swimming 60 metres off Karon beach, would be another suitable case. He has just moved out of the hospital's intensive care unit.
''There is a fund for compensation but it can take two or three months for the money to become available,'' Khun Santi said today. ''The governor has suggested asking whether we can have one million baht annually to cover speedy payouts that would be assessed by a committee headed by the governor.''
Another suitable case for compensation would be legless Danish surfer ''Fred'' Aakerlund, 48, who was badly injured in a 'Clockwork Orange' style attack by Patong thugs in January. As a result of his injuries, Mr Aakerlund spent two months in Patong Hospital.
A precedent was set last year for tourists being given help when Antonio Papaleo, an investigative journalist and key witness in a Hong Kong money-laundering investigation, was stabbed by bag-snatchers.
Sports and Tourism met his hospital bill of 100,000 baht for treatment which included removing his spleen. Mr Papaleo went back to Hong Kong and the money-laundering mastermind went to jail.
The idea sprang from talks between Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong and the Phuket Director of the Tourism and Sport Ministry, Santi Pawai, after the bus crash that killed three Chinese tourists and left several more in hospital on Phuket this week
Khun Santi also visited a German tourist, Rudi Dann, in Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Mr Dann, struck by the propeller of a longtail boat while swimming 60 metres off Karon beach, would be another suitable case. He has just moved out of the hospital's intensive care unit.
''There is a fund for compensation but it can take two or three months for the money to become available,'' Khun Santi said today. ''The governor has suggested asking whether we can have one million baht annually to cover speedy payouts that would be assessed by a committee headed by the governor.''
Another suitable case for compensation would be legless Danish surfer ''Fred'' Aakerlund, 48, who was badly injured in a 'Clockwork Orange' style attack by Patong thugs in January. As a result of his injuries, Mr Aakerlund spent two months in Patong Hospital.
A precedent was set last year for tourists being given help when Antonio Papaleo, an investigative journalist and key witness in a Hong Kong money-laundering investigation, was stabbed by bag-snatchers.
Sports and Tourism met his hospital bill of 100,000 baht for treatment which included removing his spleen. Mr Papaleo went back to Hong Kong and the money-laundering mastermind went to jail.
One million baht? Insurance should be forced to pay quickly.
Life is cheap!
Posted by Tbs on March 26, 2015 18:39
Editor Comment:
Compensation is not intended to replace insurance but it's useful for the under insured, too.