BANGKOK — At least seven people were killed Sunday night when a large hydrogen tank exploded in a basement at the SCB Park Plaza near Ratchayothin intersection.
Rescue personnel are at the scene where at least a dozen others were injured in the blast which went off at about 10pm on Sunday night at the complex in the capital’s Chatuchak district.
Update: SCB Blames Fire System Upgrade for 8 Deaths
Lt. Cpt. Mongkol Srikaew of Phahonyothin Police said some were being treated for smoke inhalation.
Mongkol said the situation is under control, and that there was no fire or bomb as reported on social media.
The injured were taken to several area hospitals for treatment.
'Poor Cards'
500B – Train Tickets
500B – Interprovince Bus Fares
500B – Bangkok Transportation (Bus, rail, future Mangmoon)
45B – Cooking Gas (Quarterly)
200B – families earning over 30,000 baht/year
300B – families earning under 30,000 baht/year
Of 14 million applicants, 11.6 million were deemed eligible for the welfare cards widely called 'poor cards.' Six million have received their cards and 400,000 have been used since they activated late last month.
The cash limit is renewed monthly and cannot be accrued. Cardholders can add money to the balance.
How to Qualify?
Requirements:
• Thai nationals, at least 18
• Annual income under 100,000 baht
• Less than 100,000 baht in assets
• Cannot own over 1 rai of land (1,600 sqm) or 10 rai (16,000 sqm) of farmland
Photo: People register for a government welfare program in April at the Government Savings Bank Headquarters in Bangkok.
For many commuters, 300 baht buys five long-haul BTS rides. For Chum Chompho, that amount means over a month’s supply of rice, instant noodles, soap and toothpaste for her entire family.
Missing the Mark?
“The urban poor use songthaew, motorbikes or boats,” he said. “A homeless man who carries a bag into a BTS [station] will just be chased off by a security guard."
— Komsan Chan-on of the Four Regions Slum Network
“With the free train service, laborers could move whenever they wanted. They could go to Chiang Mai. And then if there was no demand, they could move to Chonburi. "Giving them a quota of 500 baht to move to find work … it’s not welfare, it’s control."
— Somying Luedkratok, Nakhon Ratchasima
Photo: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha demos use of a welfare card to ride a Bangkok bus at the Government House.
'I don't know how to use it and will have to wait for my grandchildren
to help.'
Three years ago, soldiers cut down Rieng Kongthum's rubber trees and drove her from her land. It had been declared part of a national park many years ago, after she bought it. Now 80, she's gone from plantation owner to homeless welfare card recipient.
