Insurance companies refuse assistance to owner of destroyed PTT station due to bombing incident
In the quiet district of Kantharalak, Thailand, the PTT petrol station and 7-Eleven store in Ban Phue have remained closed since a devastating rocket strike on July 24, 2025. The attack, originating from Cambodia, claimed the lives of eight innocent civilians and left more than 13 people injured[2].
The owner of the affected business, Kamolrat Phonsetthalert, is still reeling from the aftermath of the attack. Seven days on, she has been unable to eat or sleep, requiring psychiatric treatment for the trauma[1]. The financial losses are substantial, with estimates suggesting around 14 million baht in damages[3].
Despite the significant losses, no compensation has been confirmed from either insurers or the Thai government[3]. The petrol station, insured by two companies, has been closed for at least two months, leaving more than 50 employees facing uncertain income prospects during the shutdown[4].
The PTT petrol station and 7-Eleven store were insured by two companies, but the first explicitly excludes war damage coverage, whether direct or indirect[5]. The second insurer only covers structural damage partially[6].
Deputy Energy Minister Fuangwit Anirutthewa visited the site on Thursday to assess the damage and promised to propose compensation measures[7]. However, the details of these measures have yet to be disclosed.
Ms Kamolrat has criticised authorities for failing to provide advance warning of the emergency[8]. She has also called for government intervention to help many entrepreneurs who suffered similar damage as a result of the border hostilities[9].
The Royal Thai Army has condemned Cambodia for the rocket strikes on civilian areas, including the incident affecting the petrol station[1]. Despite this, compensation mechanisms have not been reported.
As the days pass, Ms Kamolrat's call for compensation grows louder. She emphasises that the attack was something that could not have been predicted and was not the fault of business operators[10]. The wait for compensation continues, leaving the future of the petrol station and its employees hanging in the balance.
[1] https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2138841/petrol-station-owner-unable-to-eat-or-sleep-since-attack [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodia-denies-launching-rockets-killing-8-thais-2021-07-26/ [3] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418150 [4] https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2139801/petrol-station-shutdown-leaves-50-employees-jobless [5] https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2138841/petrol-station-owner-unable-to-eat-or-sleep-since-attack [6] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418150 [7] https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2139801/petrol-station-shutdown-leaves-50-employees-jobless [8] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418150 [9] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30418150 [10] https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2138841/petrol-station-owner-unable-to-eat-or-sleep-since-attack
- The financial losses sustained by Kamolrat Phonseththalert, who owns the affected business, are substantial and she has been unable to receive compensation from either insurers or the Thai government.
- The PTT petrol station, insured by two companies, is closed due to the rocket strike and the first insurer explicitly excludes war damage coverage, whether direct or indirect.
- The second insurer only covers structural damage partially, leaving the petrol station facing extensive uncovered damages.
- Kamolrat has criticized authorities for failing to provide advance warning of the emergency and has called for government intervention to help entrepreneurs who suffered similar damage as a result of the border hostilities.
- Despite condemnation from the Royal Thai Army, compensation mechanisms have not been reported for businesses like Kamolrat's that were affected by the rocket strikes.
