The government is expediting the development of the "National Disaster Insurance System" to cover 30 million households, aiming for completion by September 2026. The state will pay the insurance premiums, enabling citizens to receive coverage and prompt compensation when disasters strike.
On 7 September 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Laksamisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Cabinet approved in principle the establishment of a "National Disaster Insurance System" with the government purchasing insurance for the public. This coverage will include 30 million households against three disaster types: floods, storms, and earthquakes. This marks a shift toward "preparing a system to manage risks in advance," allowing citizens to quickly access coverage and compensation when disasters occur, while the government can systematically and efficiently manage risks and budgets.
Ms. Ploytale explained that the preliminary compensation criteria specify that for housing coverage in flood events, the disaster insurance system will pay an initial amount of 10,000 baht per claim per household. For storms or earthquakes, the initial payment will be 5,000 baht per claim per household. Compensation will be processed within 15 days, with additional payments based on actual damage, capped at a maximum of 100,000 baht per claim per household. Regarding life coverage, in cases of death caused by insured disasters, the system will pay a benefit of 2 million baht per person.
Ms. Ploytale added that the government will cover the insurance premiums, estimated at about 15.5 billion baht annually. This amount is lower than the government’s past annual disaster relief expenditures, which did not include medical, relief supplies, shelter establishment, or food costs. If no disaster occurs, the funds spent serve as proactive risk prevention to avoid greater losses, limiting the government’s risk exposure and reducing payouts, while expanding and improving protection for the public.
"The government, through the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation under the Ministry of Interior, will collaborate with the Office of Insurance Commission to swiftly complete the National Disaster Insurance System. They will also coordinate with relevant agencies to support necessary data and study how to repeal, amend, or adjust related regulations and laws to prevent duplication with existing disaster relief and aid measures. The goal is to complete these efforts by September 2026, so that citizens, especially those in flood, storm, and earthquake-prone areas, will receive systematic, rapid, and comprehensive assistance and compensation from the government," Ms. Ploytale stated.