On February 22, 2022, the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson (on politics), Mrs. Thienrat Navamawat, spoke about the progress of payment under the insured persons’ compensation program for people in entertainment businesses and self-employed people, such as singers, musicians, and artists in entertainment places affected by government measures. Most recently, she received a report from the Social Security Office that, at present, the amount of compensation transferred to the said group has reached 116,755 people, totaling 583,775,000 Baht (as of February 18, 2022).
Mrs. Thienrat continued that people haven’t received the fund due to several reasons. Most of them are caused because the recipient’s PromptPay account has not been linked to their ID card number, followed by closed accounts and no accounts. As a result, insured persons have not received compensation. Therefore, she reiterated that insured persons who are entitled to the compensation have registered but have not received the compensation to quickly check their bank account on whether their PromptPay has been linked with their ID card number or not. If the account is not linked, she urged the insured persons to quickly do so, to receive the rights to a complete and comprehensive remedy.
Mr. Worapoj Nimwichit, the representative of concert event organizers from the Federation of Professional Entertainment Networks of Thailand, said that the feedback from independent professionals, including singers, musicians, and artists in entertainment venues, after receiving the remedies this time, they thank the government, especially the Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin, for recognizing the importance of freelance work. The 5,000 Baht received can be used by each person for food and other expenses in daily life, to live and lighten the burden of each person and their families, to support them amid the COVID-19 crisis. They encouraged the two to continue working.
Khun Foithong Chernyim, President of the Comedy Artists Association of Thailand, said they represented the association’s members, including comedians, musicians, managers, storage workers, and drivers. They thanked the government led by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha for being concerned about night workers and entertainers, including the Comedy Artist Association of Thailand. The Prime Minister assigned the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, to support by giving remedies. All comedians would like to express their deepest gratitude for the concern from the government for the well-being of the entertainers during the shortage of income amid the COVID-19 situation. Although 5,000 Baht is not much, it can help support the lives of comedians like us.
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Division of Public Relations
21 February 2022
