Women's Funeral Assistance Association Members Demand Justice After Association Dissolution, Over 170 Death Benefit Claims Remain Unpaid

On February 21, 2024, descendants and members of the Women's Funeral Assistance Association in Phlapphla Chai District, Buriram Province, presented evidence and filed complaints at the local police station, seeking justice after the association was dissolved in July 2023. The association's chairman and officials were found to have embezzled funds, leaving over 170 deceased members' families without death benefits averaging 80,000 baht each. This has forced families to borrow money for funeral expenses, contrary to the association's original purpose. Beyond the 170 unpaid death benefit claims, over 4,000 members have lost significant amounts of money they had paid in advance as membership fees and funeral assistance contributions. Members are now demanding that police and relevant authorities investigate the embezzlement and recover funds to compensate both deceased members' families and current members who prepaid. Vichua Preongwicha, a member, shared her personal experience of being unable to receive her father's death benefit despite years of paying into the system. Members remain hopeful that the new association leadership will restore transparency and prevent similar issues in the future.