Thailand's Disaster Insurance Takes Effect Oct 1, 2026
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that the national disaster insurance program will start covering victims from October 1, 2026. He said those affected by floods before that date will receive 9,000 baht under the existing disaster relief law, while the new insurance will provide per‑incident payouts for future events. Anutin also dismissed the possibility of double compensation and declined to answer a question from the opposition leader before leaving for a factory opening in Samut Prakan.
At the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Anutin Charnvirakul said the national disaster insurance takes effect today, October 1, 2026, and outlined how compensation will work. He explained that people affected by floods before this date will receive 9,000 baht under the original Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act, whereas the insurance will cover damage from incidents occurring on or after October 1, 2026. When asked whether victims would receive two payments, he said no, compensation would be given once per disaster based on the event date. Anutin also refused to answer a question from opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party about appearing in parliament for an interpellation, walked out of the press briefing, and said he was heading to preside over the opening of an Infineon Technologies Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. factory and research center in the Arayat Industrial Estate, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province.
