An insurance company in Thailand has introduced terrorism coverage for individuals amidst concerns that escalating violence in the country's south may spill over to other areas.
Bangkok Insurance, listed with the Thai Stock Exchange, has plans that will cover not only lives, but also property or loss of organs arising from acts of terrorism in Thailand, The Bangkok Post reported.
The company has signed up 20 customers, mostly from the southern provinces, since the soft launch of the policies at the end of last month.
The policies that cover terrorism also include personal accident, travel and property insurance, the daily quoted the company's senior vice president Pagamas Charusathein as saying.
She said the company could accept an insured sum up to 50 million baht ($1.22 approx) with larger amounts to be reviewed by reinsurers.
Thai businesses have only recently become aware of the threat, she added. Meanwhile, Thailand's deputy premier Chidchai Wannasathit said security authorities need an improved strategy if they were to keep pace with the tactics of militants in southern Thailand.
After a high-level security meeting on Monday, Gen Chidchai, also the justice minister, admitted the insurgents had the superior strategy.
Defence Minister Gen Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya said civil servants, police and soldiers would integrate their operations with clearer delegation of responsibilities, in a bid to avoid overlapping of operational areas.