Public donates Bt35 million for compensation

PAD co-leaders Piphob Dhongchai and Chamlong Srimuang yesterday said the public had donated Bt35.138 million to help injured protesters and the families of the two who were killed.

Piphob said Bt29.61 million had been donated to help injured protesters and Bt5.528 million to help the families of those killed in the bloody crackdown.

A PAD supporter, Angkana Radubpanyawoot, was killed when struck by a tear-gas canister fired by police. Pol Lt-Colonel Methee Chartmontree, a PAD guard, died in an explosion inside his car.

Although the donations had been made for separate purposes, the PAD has decided to merge them and manage them as a single fund.

Piphob said the families of Angkhana and Methree would receive Bt1 million each.

Those protesters with severe injuries will receive Bt300,000 each, while those who were slightly injured will receive Bt5,000.

The PAD will spend Bt28 million paying compensation to the injured and families of the dead and keep the remaining Bt7 million to pay medical fees for those still in hospital and help support Methee's children.

Piphob said Bt10 million had been spent so far.

There is no need for the spending to be audited, because the PAD has appointed a committee to be responsible for the payments, he said.