Mediation has been successfully achieved. The grandfather and Nong Korn. Regarding the 1.7 million baht compensation, the prosecutor ordered it to be split evenly between them.
This concerns the Special Express Train No. 21 running from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station to Ubon Ratchathani, which was struck by a falling railway construction crane between Nong Nam Khun and Si Khio stations, in Ban Thanon Kot, Si Khio Subdistrict, Si Khio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The accident resulted in 30 passenger deaths and many injuries.
Among the deceased was Ms. Supinna Satbut, 28, from Buriram Province, who initially received 1,700,000 baht in compensation from relevant agencies. The entire amount was transferred into the account of Mr. Samreng Satbut, 64, Supinna’s father, although Supinna had a 10-year-old son named Nong Korn who currently lives with his grandfather because Nong Korn’s father died when he was only one year old. Subsequently, 200,000 baht was transferred to Nong Korn, with the claim that the remaining funds were used to repay debts owed by the daughter and to cover funeral expenses.
On 6 Feb 2026, Mr. Aeknarong Chidphan, the prosecutor responsible for rights protection and legal assistance in Buriram Province, convened both parties for mediation at the Buriram Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The negotiation lasted over five hours because both the grandfather and Nong Korn’s great-grandfather wished to be his guardian. Ultimately, the prosecutor allowed the child to decide, and Nong Korn chose to live with the great-grandfather’s relatives, who had cared for him since early childhood.
The prosecutor also examined expense accounts with Mr. Samreng, who presented all financial records. The total income amounted to 1,539,000 baht, including 150,000 baht assistance from the contractor company, 80,000 baht from the State Railway of Thailand, 20,000 baht royal grant, 1,000,000 baht government compensation, 200,000 baht from the Justice Fund, and 89,000 baht in funeral condolence donations.
Expenses included 200,000 baht given directly to Nong Korn; 589,000 baht for the five-day funeral; 154,100 baht in informal debts of the deceased; 26,375 baht motorcycle loan; 60,752 baht agricultural cooperative debt; and 200,000 baht debt secured by land, totaling 1,230,227 baht, leaving a net balance of 769,525 baht.
The prosecutor ruled the compensation should be split equally, giving each party 384,762.50 baht. Nong Korn had already received 200,000 baht, and Mr. Samreng withdrew 185,000 baht in cash to complete the payment. Both sides agreed amicably.
Mr. Aeknarong stated he was assigned by the Chief Prosecutor of the Rights Protection Office to mediate the dispute locally. Two main issues were discussed: legal guardianship since the child’s father had long passed and the mother recently died in the accident. The child showed a stronger bond with the great-grandfather’s relatives, who had cared for him, and the grandfather did not object.
The second issue involved the compensation funds received by the grandfather. Although the exact income and expenditure figures could not be fully verified, clear numbers have now been established.
The compensation is not an inheritance or pre-existing asset, but inheritance law applies. The grandfather, having registered marriage with the deceased’s mother, is entitled to the money, and the child, as the deceased’s son, has equal rights. Therefore, the funds must be divided equally.
There is also an additional 260,000 baht compensation from the State Railway, which must be split equally. This is separate from ongoing litigation in Nakhon Ratchasima Prosecutor’s Office seeking damages from the responsible parties. Any amounts recovered there will also be considered but only after the case is concluded.