The families of the victims in the tragic school bus fire in Thailand are set to receive compensation, following confirmation from the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) that the bus involved had the necessary insurance coverage. The fire, which took place on Tuesday, claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani, with five others injured during an educational trip to Nonthaburi.
According to a report from the Bangkok Post, the OIC has coordinated with insurance companies to ensure that compensation is swiftly provided to the affected families. Initial compensation has been set at $19,737.14 (TB660,000) per person for both the deceased and those injured in the incident.
The OIC confirmed that the school bus was covered by compulsory motor insurance from Viriyah Insurance, with the policy active from April 30, 2024, until June 30, 2025. This coverage includes $15,000 (TB500,000) per person for death or permanent disability, with medical expenses covered up to $2,400 (TB80,000).
In cases of organ loss, compensation ranges from $6,000 to $15,000 (TB200,000 to TB500,000) per person, while permanent disability payouts are capped at $9,000 (TB300,000) per person. Additionally, those requiring inpatient treatment will receive $6 (TB200) per day for up to 20 days.
Further insurance coverage was provided by Mittare Insurance Plc under a voluntary motor insurance policy (Type 3), effective from June 30. This policy ensures compensation of up to $15,000 (TB500,000) per person for death or injury, with a total limit of $300,000 (TB10 million) per incident. It also includes $18,000 (TB600,000) for property damage liability.
In addition to the bus insurance, Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School had group accident insurance from Viriyah Insurance. This policy offers $2,400 (TB80,000) per person in the event of death, with $240 (TB8,000) allocated for medical expenses.
To streamline the compensation process, the OIC has been coordinating efforts with its regional offices in Pathum Thani and Uthai Thani, along with the insurance companies involved. Initial medical compensation for hospitalised passengers, as stipulated by the compulsory motor insurance law, has been set at $900 (TB30,000) per person.
The OIC is also collaborating with the Thai Life Assurance Association and the Thai General Insurance Association to determine whether the victims had any additional insurance policies that may provide further compensation. Meanwhile, Viriyah Insurance has expressed its commitment to supporting the families of the deceased and injured. The company is working closely with hospitals to ensure medical care is provided to the survivors.
The tragedy has brought widespread grief and attention to the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage, particularly in public transportation. The OIC continues to oversee the compensation process, ensuring that victims’ families receive the financial support they need during this difficult time.
(Exchange rate: $1.00 = TB33.44)
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