The Labour Minister was concerned about deceased workers from the Wat Phraya Tham bell tower collapse around Arun Amarin, where scrap material dropped on workers resulting in death. He emphasized that the workers would be compensated by the law with over 1.3 million Baht from the Social Security Fund. The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare called on the employers for investigation; if found in violation of the law, the employer will be prosecuted immediately.
On October 2, 2018, Labour Minister, H.E. Police General Adul Sangsingkeo extended his condolences to the families and relatives of workers who died from the incident that occurred within Wat Phraya Tham on Soi Arun Amarin 15, Bangkok Noi, where scrap material fell on workers during maintenance work, showed concern for the injured. The Labour Minister assigned the responsible Social Security Office and the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare units in the area to coordinate with Finess Soil Testing Co., Ltd., located at 23/246, Prachautit 36 Yaek 4/2 Alley, Thung Khru Sub-district, Thung Khru District, Bangkok, to investigate and provide assistance. The investigation found that 1 person died at the scene of the accident, Mr. Suriyan Saithong, 46, and another 6 people were injured and hospitalized at Siriraj Hospital; 4 have returned home and 2 remained in the ICU. The 2 severely injured were Mr. Sanyan Muenwong who injured his hand and Mr. Wilas Jaijungreed who injured his foot; both received surgery.
Pol.Gen. Adul stated that the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare’s investigation found that while employees lifted the base of the bell tower with a jack, there were other employees working under the bell tower, but the ground collapsed which caused the iron (beam) supporting the jack to breakdown. This caused the bell tower to collapse and scrap material to fall, which resulted in the death and injury of employees. The security inspector issued an invitation for investigation to the employer today (Oct 2, 18). If found in violation of the law, the penalty is a maximum 1-year imprisonment, a fine not exceeding 4,000 Baht, or both.
For the employer’s workers where an insured person died, beneficiaries will be entitled to compensation for death cases which comprises a funeral allowance of 33,000 Baht, compensation for death of 1,152,000 Baht and pension contributions as of September 26, 2018 of 160,919.52 Baht, totaling 1,345,919.52 Baht.
