"Even though we were poor, we were a warm family. Having my husband beside me is better than being given a huge compensation," a bereaved 44-year-old, who lost her husband during the recent Bangkok clashes, told The Nation.
Apart from Somnuek Thoomthong, there are many others suffering from either severe injuries or the loss of their beloved family members.
"My husband [49-year-old Suphan] was the family's only breadwinner. Now, it will be really difficult for me to earn a living as well as take care of my two children, one of whom is in secondary school," Somnuek lamented.
Suphan's death was shocking - he worked as a security guard and had never taken part in the red-shirt protests. However, he was shot dead on May 15 on his way to work from his rented flat in Bon Kai community.
"I never thought my husband would die. He never took part in the protest. We talked on the phone every day while he was at work," she said. So far, she has no clear ideas as to how she will support her family. She realises that not having worked for several years, it would be quite difficult for her to get a start. She has considered becoming a rice farmer.
Thawatchai Thasakul, 22, a former Army cadet who sustained a gunshot wound to his back during the April 10 clash at Khok Wua, underwent treatment at Phramongkutklao Hospital for 24 days. One of his ribs had to be removed and a damaged part of his lung cut out.
He said he was unable to balance himself properly, which made daily tasks difficult. "I'm worried that the injuries will affect me in my old age.
"It will take me a year or two to fully recover, and then I hope to get a job as a jewellery maker," he said. "Now, only my grandparents are working to support the family."
In addition, Thawatchai's wife quit her job in Bangkok to take care of him at home in Si Sa Ket province. Thawatchai was shot just 20 days before the completion of his duties as a cadet.
Khattiyah "Dear" Sawasdipol - the only daughter of late red-shirt leader and suspended Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol said she had been suffering since her father's death.
"Our family is not rich. After mum died, I lived with dad, who only earned a monthly salary. I had to work and earn enough to support myself," Dear explained.
She also expressed concern for other victims who did not have any evidence to prove they were affected by the riots and claim compensation.
A 52-year-old soldier in Nakhon Ratchasima province, who asked not to be named, said an M79 explosion on April 10 at Khok Wua intersection had broken his left ankle and Achilles tendon.
"I cannot walk like other people. This problem will affect my job as a soldier," he said.
These are just some voices of people affected by the political unrest, while there are many more who have not been able to say how the riots affected them. Thawatchai and the soldier from Nakhon Ratchasima are among the 800 riot victims who were compensated. Dear and Somnuek registered for compensation last Friday, and their documents are still being processed.