City Hall has defended itself against criticism it paid inadequate compensation for home repair to some earthquake victims, saying more money could be forthcoming in exceptional cases.
The issue of compensation was addressed at a press conference on quake relief led by deputy Bangkok governor Tavida Kamolvej on Sunday, following a public outcry after a complaint posted on Facebook by People's Party MP for Bangkok Supanat Meenchainan.
Mr Supanat said many condos were heavily damaged by the March 28 quake.
Repairs for each condo owner were estimated to run into tens of thousands of baht.
However, officials told the condo owners the compensation would come down to around 300–700 baht for each unit. A crack on the wall, for example, is worth compensation of 75 baht.
"Recently a condo owner said he was offered 41 baht and 90 satang in compensation. How touchingly generous of the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
"Is this how the government cares for its people? The compensation for home repair is plainly deplorable," he said.
Mr Supanat said compensation rates were nowhere near what some state offices were spending on their expensive building projects and furniture.
"They should treat the taxpayers with more dignity," he said.
The MP said he has raised compensation claims with a House standing committee which has summoned officials overseeing the process to testify on Thursday.
Ms Tavida on Sunday insisted the compensation rolled out by City Hall complies with existing disaster mitigation regulations.
She said compensation pays for building materials and repair cost in cases where damage is limited to specific parts of a house.
The deputy governor said the rates some condo owners were given were preliminary and city engineers will provide a visit again before a budget is sought from the Finance Ministry.
An amendment to allow larger compensation sums will be tabled in parliament on Tuesday although the approval process could take some time, Ms Tavida said.
