On May 19, 2024, the Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and a delegation paid a visit to the home of Mr. Niphon Akrasri and Mrs. Amon Akrasri, father and mother of Mr. Sonthaya Akrasri, Thai worker who died amid the unrest in Israel. The visit aimed to console the family and provide relief compensation from the fund helping job seekers working abroad, including benefits from the Social Security Fund. The Governor of Nong Bua Lamphu Province, Mr. Suwit Chanworn, heads of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, joined in the welcoming. The Department of Skill Development’s Director-General, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, the Department of Employment’s Director-General, Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, and the Ministry of Labour’s executives join the occasion at house No. 67, Moo 3, Ban Phrao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province.
Mr. Phiphat said that the Prime Minister is concerned about the families of Thai workers who died due to the unrest in Israel. He has instructed the Ministry of Labour to provide assistance and compensation to the families of Thai workers who have died so that they can receive full entitlements as soon as possible. Today, he and his team paid a visit to console the families of Thai workers who lost their lives due to the unrest in Israel and provided relief money from the fund to help job seekers abroad, including benefits from the Social Security Fund. Officials of agencies under the Ministry of Labour provided information about the entitlements of the Thai workers who have died and facilitated documentation procedures as well. The families are entitled to 1) Compensation from the fund helping job seekers overseas in the case of death, whereby the family will receive an allowance of 40,000 Baht and support for funeral expenses abroad as actually paid, not exceeding 40,000 Baht. From checking the Department of Employment’s electronic system that manages Thai workers abroad, they found that Sonthaya is still under the protection of the fund. 2) Support from the 50,000 Baht compensation project 3) Compensation from the Israeli Insurance Institute. In the case of death, the family will receive financial assistance for funeral expenses, approximately 79,000 Baht in Thai currency, and burial expenses, which are as much as actually paid, not exceeding approximately 47,000 Baht (1,300 USD). The family will receive a widowhood allowance of approximately 57,000 Baht, monthly compensation, and annual compensation (the amount is according to the criteria set by the National Insurance Institute). 4) Follow up on compensation at the end of the employment contract (pisuim). The Labour Department from the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv is in the process of following up on this, and 5) Social security funds. An examination of information found that Mr. Sonthaya Akrasri is no longer insured, but there are still old-age funds in the social security system. Mr. Sonthaya Akrasri ceased to be an insured person in 2015; he has an old-age pension fund of 7,301.68 Baht (excluding interest). Mr. Suthisak Rintalak ceased to be an insured person in 2016; he has an old-age pension fund of 31,108.26 Baht (excluding interest). The Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, assigned agencies under the Ministry of Labour in both Nong Khai and Nong Bua Lamphu to visit the families so that they are aware of their full rights and benefits. From speaking with the relatives of the deceased, it was found that the fathers, mothers, and relatives all had improved morale.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the two victims. We would like to send encouragement to the remaining six workers to be released as soon as possible. May the families of the workers who died in Israel be assured that the Ministry of Labour, the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv, and all relevant agencies will do their best in the coordination of all parties to follow up on benefits related to the Ministry of Labour to receive full rights quickly. As for the financial assistance, Mr. Sonthaya Akrasri’s family will receive an estimated amount of 320,301.68 Baht, and Mr. Suthisak Rintalak’s family will receive approximately 344,108.26 Baht. In Thailand, agencies under the Ministry of Labour will quickly follow up on the benefits and support the families. As for following up on entitlements in Israel, the Labour Department will coordinate with the Embassy and Israeli authorities to ensure that the families receive the compensation as soon as possible,” Mr. Phiphat said.
