Labour Ministry inspector general Teerapol Khunmuang, in his capacity of ministry spokesman, said the Sapsing Thai 20 and Sor Somboon 19 fishing boats, whose six workers – one Thai and five Cambodians – died and 20 others became ill were based in Samut Prakan province.

Teerapol said that, since this case was illness from work, beneficiaries of the workers who died would be entitled to compensation according to the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1994. The beneficiaries of deceased workers would receive Bt30,000 in funeral assistance and Bt449,280 which is 60 per cent of 96 months in wage compensation. The injured workers would receive medical coverage of up to Bt50,000 per head and also compensation for a recovery period at 60 per cent of their monthly pay for up to one year, Teerapol added.