Joining the weekly cabinet meeting via internet from New York on Tuesday, Thai caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered government agencies to speed up the timeliness and increase the level of material aid for the victims of Saturday's bombings in southern Thailand.

The explosions which rocked the kingdom's southern commercial hub of Hat Yai Saturday night killed four persons and injured over 80 others.

Thaksin, now in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, told cabinet members that financial aid for those affected by the bombings must be sufficient for their needs and be made consistently.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook reported via video conference from Hat Yai that those who were seriously wounded and crippled would receive 200,000 baht (about 5000 U.S. dollars) each and that initial funds of 6,000 baht ( about 150 U.S. dollars) would be provided for the funerals of those who were killed, according to legal aid criteria.

Saying the Hat Yai incident terrified and alarmed the public, the prime minister noted that the financial aid set aside for the victims was quite small, so the amount should be increased.

In addition, Thaksin said the government should incur all expenses relating to treatment of the bombing victims, and directed the public health ministry to pay for treatment for all victims injured by the bombings, according to the state-run Thai News Agency.

The prime minister also instructed the education ministry to provide educational assistance for children whose parents were affected by the incident.

Aid must be disbursed in a consistent manner, Thaksin said, and meet the needs of those who are affected.

Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Prommin Lertsuridej said Thaksin will not cut short his overseas trip.

Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said later that the premier will visit Hat Yai after returning from New York.

Source: Xinhua