March 22, 2007

Thailand approves aid for fish farms affected by water pollution

Thailand's Cabinet Wednesday (Mar 21) approved a Bt50 million (US$1.57 million) budget to provide financial relief to fish farms affected by water pollution in the Angthong and Ayutthaya regions.

Thousands of fish were killed in the two provinces after the Chao Phraya River became heavily polluted. Most of the fish belonged to local fish farmers.

To help them, the Cabinet yesterday agreed to pay US$8 per affected square metre in financial relief to the fish farmers.

Deputy government spokeswoman Netpreeya Chumchaiyo said the financial relief would come from the budget earmarked to help disaster victims.

Moreover, she added that the Cabinet also considered the Interior Ministry's request that the government advance money to the fish farmers entitled to receive compensation from polluters based on actual damage to their livelihoods.

The government is exploring options to advance the money and sue the polluters for compensation later, Netpreeya said.