The cabinet yesterday approved a proposal to double the maximum amount of initial medical compensation for a vehicle accident to 30,000 baht each time.
The change will take effect on Friday, in time for the long holidays when a large number of road accidents are expected, deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said after the cabinet meeting.
In practice, initial financial compensation is paid directly to the hospital that provides medical treatment to a road accident victim by the Vehicle Accident Victim Protection Fund.
The maximum payment amount is now 15,000 baht per person per time.
The Finance Ministry asked for cabinet approval to increase the initial compensation in line with the current economic situation, arguing that 15,000-baht compensation is insufficient to cover the costs of medical treatment for road accidents.
If the costs of medical treatment exceed the ceiling of initial compensation, the hospital will then have to collect the rest from the National Health Security Office.
Maj Gen Sansern also said the cabinet raised concerns over road accidents during the New Year holidays and told state agencies to work together to curb them.