Sa Kaeo held a meeting to finalize compensation payments for displaced residents affected by border fighting, whose homes were destroyed. Payments will be transferred in a single lump sum without installment divisions and without requiring additional proof. The money is expected to reach recipients by the end of next week at the latest.
Today, 6 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that at the Khok Sung District Office in Sa Kaeo Province, a meeting was held to explain details regarding compensation payments for people affected by BM-21 shelling from the Cambodian side that hit residential areas. Mr. Chaonet Yimprasert, Deputy Governor of Sa Kaeo Province, chaired the meeting. Also present were Mr. Narit Palakawong Na Ayutthaya, Khok Sung District Chief, officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, and other relevant agencies to listen and provide explanations to the affected community members.
This meeting was organized to build understanding and finalize the approach to compensation payments, as some residents had concerns about the amount of aid, delays in transferring funds, and the criteria used to assess housing damage.
Officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation explained that assistance had been provided according to their authority, with initial compensation already paid to victims. However, later inspections found that many houses were more severely damaged than initially assessed, with some almost completely destroyed. Because the original aid was insufficient, experts from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning were commissioned to conduct detailed damage surveys on every house using standard price-based evaluation criteria to ensure fairness and expedite the process. It was not possible to assess each house based on specific materials or quality alone.
After the surveys, a request for additional budget support was submitted to the Prime Minister's Office, which has now fully approved the funds. Any amount exceeding the initial aid will be reimbursed in full to residents who had previously advanced payments.
Regarding the payment method, officials clarified that compensation will be paid in a single lump sum without installment payments. The amount per household will vary depending on the expert damage assessment. Some houses that were completely destroyed may receive compensation as high as several million baht, which is the maximum approved under the current framework.
After receiving the funds, residents will not need to provide additional documents or evidence, as damage assessments have already been conducted by experts. People can use the money to repair or rebuild their homes as they see fit, whether by hiring any contractor or relocating to a safer area if the original site poses risks.
Regarding the timeframe for fund transfers, officials expect that compensation from the Prime Minister's Office will reach residents by no later than the end of next week, after the district compiles and submits the required documents. Most paperwork has already been prepared.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nipawan Petsombat, 37, one of the affected residents, expressed ongoing concerns about instability along the border, especially if a third round of clashes occurs, which she expects might be more severe. Having already received partial compensation, she promptly purchased materials to begin repairing her home, as she and her family have been staying with relatives for several months.
She also voiced worries about damage to her car, which officials said is not covered by compensation. Nonetheless, she hopes the government will consider additional assistance, even if partial, to help alleviate the burden on disaster victims.
Following the meeting and clear conclusions on compensation procedures, the overall atmosphere was positive. Most residents expressed satisfaction because the compensation amounts will enable them to repair their homes and return to normal living conditions. The tensions and worries that had built up over many months began to ease, and smiles returned to the faces of those affected.