Families receive aid after school bus tragedy in Thailand

OIC confirmed the bus had compulsory motor insurance from Viriyah Insurance.

The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has coordinated with insurance companies to provide compensation to the families of those who died or were injured in the school bus fire on Tuesday, reported the Bangkok Post.

Initial compensation is set at $19,737.14 (TB660,000) per person. The incident claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani, with five others injured during their educational trip to Nonthaburi.

The OIC confirmed that the bus had compulsory motor insurance from Viriyah Insurance, which began on 30 April and runs until 30 June 2025.

The coverage includes $15,000 (TB500,000) per person for death or permanent disability and up to $2,400 (TB80,000) for medical expenses.

Compensation for loss of organs ranges from $6,000 to $15,000 (TB200,000 to TB500,000) per person, whilst permanent disability payments are capped at $9,000 (TB300,000) per person. Additionally, inpatient treatment is compensated at $6 (TB200) per day for a maximum of 20 days.

The bus was also covered by voluntary motor insurance, type 3, with Mittare Insurance Plc, effective from 30 June. The policy provides up to $15,000 (TB500,000) per person for damage to life, body, or health, with a total of $300,000 (TB10m) per incident, and $18,000 (TB600,000) for property liability.

Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School had group accident insurance from Viriyah Insurance, offering $2,400 (TB80,000) per person in case of death and $240 (TB8,000) for medical expenses.

The OIC coordinated with its Pathum Thani and Uthai Thani offices, as well as insurance companies, to ensure compensation is provided. For hospitalised passengers, initial medical compensation under the compulsory motor insurance law is set at $900 (TB30,000) per person.

The OIC is also working with the Thai Life Assurance Association and the Thai General Insurance Association to determine if the victims had any additional insurance coverage. Viriyah Insurance has assured that it is ready to compensate the victims' families and is coordinating with hospitals to support the injured.

($1.00 = TB33.44)