Thai gas station hit by Cambodia rocket may miss state compensation

SISAKET — 27 August 2026, A gas station in Sisaket province that was hit by a BM-21 rocket fired from Cambodia may not qualify for government compensation because it is privately owned, prompting the station’s owner to demand that authorities reconsider the eligibility criteria.

People’s Party list MP Rukchanok Srinok, chairwoman of the House committee overseeing budget preparation and administration, said the committee had reviewed compensation for people affected by the recent Thailand-Cambodia clashes, including damage to a gas station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak district, Sisaket.

Gas station owner Kamonrat Phonsetlert attended the committee meeting, along with representatives from the Sisaket Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Rukchanok said the Sisaket DDPM had informed the committee that regulations under the Finance Ministry currently cover compensation for people who are injured or killed, but do not provide for other types of property damage through provincial authorities or funds under the Prime Minister’s Office.

However, she said the gas station case was highly unusual and warranted special consideration.

“The government had previously promised to provide assistance, so we would like the authorities to consider changing the criteria to ensure that this case, as well as others affected by the conflict, receive fair compensation,” Rukchanok said.

Kamonrat said the damage was caused by a rocket fired from another country, meaning it was not covered under the insurance criteria overseen by the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC).

She said the gas station was therefore not covered under the relevant insurance provisions and had received only 1 million baht in humanitarian assistance. The station also had private insurance coverage, but had yet to receive compensation from the government.

During the transition between governments, government agencies had discussed possible financial assistance with her, she said.

“I want the government to help us because we are suffering. Please don’t tell us that we are a private business,” Kamonrat said.

“I am a Thai citizen. I am not a foreigner, and I did not throw a bomb at my own gas station. This resulted from failures in the government’s management,” she said.

“If the government is going to provide compensation or not, please send me the official documents so I don’t have to keep waiting,” Kamonrat added.