Environmental Agency Offers To Help Flood Victims Sue Thai Govt

[webfact]

Environmental agency offers to help victims sue govt

The Nation

The Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) has offered to provide free legal assistance to flood victims who wish to sue the government for damages.

Those interested can down-load relevant forms at www.thaisgwa.com.

According to SGWA, the Bt5,000 compensation provided to each flood-affected family is just a remedial measure.

"This amount cannot compensate for damages caused by grave mistakes, failure and complacency on the part of the government and relevant authorities," SGWA president Srisuwan Janya said in a statement.

National Anti-Corruption Com-mission secretary-general Apinan Issarangkul na Ayudhaya said yesterday that his agency would also be looking into water-management efforts made while the power was being handed over by the Democrat-led government to the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

The flood crisis has affected millions of people, but only those whose homes have been swamped for at least seven consecutive days are eligible for the Bt5,000 compensation. Many of the victims have complained that this amount is too little to cover the damage and that the government should be held responsible for its failure to thwart the crisis - a stance that is supported by the SGWA.

According to a statement, the SGWA said the flooding had not just damaged people's homes, but also what was inside these homes as well as their vehicles. It said that people did not just have to pay for repairs and redecoration, they also had to spend on flood-prevention tools for use later. This is in addition to the physical and emotional damage sustained by people as well.

"Other damages include lost opportunities and extra expenditure on accommodation when people had to move out of their home," the SGWA statement read. It also included instructions on how the compensation amount can be calculated. For instance, a family with five working members who have had to stay away from work for 60 days can seek a total compensation of Bt66,000 based on a daily wage of Bt220.

SGWA said flood-hit people could claim the Bt5,000 compensation and still retain the right to file a lawsuit for damages.

Srisuwan said the lawsuits would be filed via the Administra-tive Court. Those who wanted to be represented by the SGWA can mail relevant documents to SGWA, 51/119, Moo 9, Prueksa 14, Tambon Lad Sawai, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani 12150. The documents can also be handed over at the SGWA seminar, which will be held on December 15, from 1pm to 5pm, at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel in Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2011-11-23

[ralphlsasser]

They are exactly right to sue the corrupt government. I'm glad someone is helping these poor people. The government sure isn't. A payment of 5,000 baht is nothing more than a slap in the face compaired to what these people lost. You go!!!!! Get what you deserve.

[sparebox2]

What's the cut for the agencies?

[nicky1982]

What's the cut for the agencies?

20% i would think ..

[tigermonkey]

It looks like a real money maker for SGWA . I really don't know what a Global Warming Agency has to do with all of this, other than the oportunity to make money. I think they have been watching too much television from the United States.

Does anyone stop to think about where this money will come from ? When you sue the government, you sue your neighbours and yourself, adding to the national debt and taxes for yourself and your children. I find it sad that Thailand slides further down this slippery slope towards total government dependence -- another step towards a nanny state.

...but SGWA and the lawyers will make akilling.

[thaihome]

The most amusing things about this is the red apologist attacks on Srisuwan Janya and SWG as “amart tools” because they have failed to list the BMA as one of the government dept they will sue.

This is part of the all out campaign of ad hominem attacks on anyone that criticizes Yingluck or the PT government. TPP is doing this almost daily. Saksith Saiyasombut has written a two part column about media coverage saying its all the media fault that there is a perception the government mishandled the floods and even when the FROC did screw up, the BMA was far worse.

TH

[robblok]

Great news, the compensation is too low. For the guy who worries about Thailand's national debt, they can always raise taxes or cut down on other policies.

Many people here in Nonthaburi are suffering, im sure if the compensation was per day the government would make real work of draining. Now they just don't take risks and hope the water will magically go away.

[witsawakorn]

It looks like a real money maker for SGWA . I really don't know what a Global Warming Agency has to do with all of this, other than the oportunity to make money. I think they have been watching too much television from the United States.

Does anyone stop to think about where this money will come from ? When you sue the government, you sue your neighbours and yourself, adding to the national debt and taxes for yourself and your children. I find it sad that Thailand slides further down this slippery slope towards total government dependence -- another step towards a nanny state.

...but SGWA and the lawyers will make akilling.

I agree with your comment about suing your neighbours etc.I find it interesting that an orgainisation like SWGA wants to get involved. SWGA is supported by the Tides Foundation which is an American organisation that apparently supports Activist Groups inolved with Left Wing causes and channels donations from philanthropists into those causes in such a way that the donor isn't directly linked to the cause that they want to support. In reality this probaly means that it is a CIA front that interferes with and infiltrates the so called left Wing causes or am I just being cynical? ( perhaps somebody is trying to support "regime change" in Thailand) Anyway I don't believe that anyone ( person or organisation) does anything for nothing. I think the Lawyer's will be the only winners in this legal battle as they always are. The government won't lose, just as the US government in the form of the US army didn't lose in the New Orleans post Katrina legal actions, as they can argue that the heavy rains weren't their fault and the flood defences ( which seemed to have pretty much worked as per design but weren't designed to protect everybody) were inherited from previous governments

[gregb]

I think the Lawyer's will be the only winners in this legal battle as they always are. The government won't lose, just as the US government in the form of the US army didn't lose in the New Orleans post Katrina legal actions, as they can argue that the heavy rains weren't their fault and the flood defences ( which seemed to have pretty much worked as per design but weren't designed to protect everybody) were inherited from previous governments

Except it wasn't heavy rains that were the primary cause of the extent of the flooding. It was the government's intentional mismanagement of water in the dam for political purposes even after they were warned of the danger by meteorologists, combined with their abhorrent decision not to compensate the affected residents when they opted to build a dam out of 2.5 ton sand bags which predictably flooded the outer areas of the capitol far longer and far deeper than it naturally would.

There is no doubt of this government's guilt. Whether or not they will ever be forced to pay is another issue, as justice in Thailand is rarely given. But while they might be able to spin doctor this crisis to the gullible public as due primarily to heavy rains, they will be torn to pieces in a legal setting where intelligent experts will challenge their very dubious claims.

[hellodolly]

Great news, the compensation is too low. For the guy who worries about Thailand's national debt, they can always raise taxes or cut down on other policies.

Many people here in Nonthaburi are suffering, im sure if the compensation was per day the government would make real work of draining. Now they just don't take risks and hope the water will magically go away.

Why have they ignored flood victims for years and only when people in Bangkok are affected do they choose to sue.

I can understand the desire to sue because of the mishandling of the situation.

I know if my home had two meters of water in it instead of just one because the government was more concerned about the business district I would be irate.

[robblok]

Great news, the compensation is too low. For the guy who worries about Thailand's national debt, they can always raise taxes or cut down on other policies.

Many people here in Nonthaburi are suffering, im sure if the compensation was per day the government would make real work of draining. Now they just don't take risks and hope the water will magically go away.

Why have they ignored flood victims for years and only when people in Bangkok are affected do they choose to sue.

I can understand the desire to sue because of the mishandling of the situation.

I know if my home had two meters of water in it instead of just one because the government was more concerned about the business district I would be irate.

That is the case here, but its bad that nothing was donb earlier. (other governments). This one was man made because of the dams plus mismanagement. But if earlier governments including red and yellow had done more maybe things would have been better.

[hellodolly]

Great news, the compensation is too low. For the guy who worries about Thailand's national debt, they can always raise taxes or cut down on other policies.

Many people here in Nonthaburi are suffering, im sure if the compensation was per day the government would make real work of draining. Now they just don't take risks and hope the water will magically go away.

Why have they ignored flood victims for years and only when people in Bangkok are affected do they choose to sue.

I can understand the desire to sue because of the mishandling of the situation.

I know if my home had two meters of water in it instead of just one because the government was more concerned about the business district I would be irate.

That is the case here, but its bad that nothing was donb earlier. (other governments). This one was man made because of the dams plus mismanagement. But if earlier governments including red and yellow had done more maybe things would have been better.

Well I don't really support the sue them attitude but if they do it will sure make this and any subsequent government think twice before they decide to let the canals fill up with junk and build on them. So in a way I am thinking for the future good of Thailand it is a good idea..

I really don't think it matters who was in power at the time the years of neglect by all have made their lasting impression on the people of Thailand.

I am glad it is the Thaksin government the Democrats only ignored it for three years and the army for one year.

[robblok]

Great news, the compensation is too low. For the guy who worries about Thailand's national debt, they can always raise taxes or cut down on other policies.

Many people here in Nonthaburi are suffering, im sure if the compensation was per day the government would make real work of draining. Now they just don't take risks and hope the water will magically go away.

Why have they ignored flood victims for years and only when people in Bangkok are affected do they choose to sue.

I can understand the desire to sue because of the mishandling of the situation.

I know if my home had two meters of water in it instead of just one because the government was more concerned about the business district I would be irate.

That is the case here, but its bad that nothing was donb earlier. (other governments). This one was man made because of the dams plus mismanagement. But if earlier governments including red and yellow had done more maybe things would have been better.

Well I don't really support the sue them attitude but if they do it will sure make this and any subsequent government think twice before they decide to let the canals fill up with junk and build on them. So in a way I am thinking for the future good of Thailand it is a good idea..

I really don't think it matters who was in power at the time the years of neglect by all have made their lasting impression on the people of Thailand.

I am glad it is the Thaksin government the Democrats only ignored it for three years and the army for one year.

True.. it might help a bit for the future. Because then they know its going to cost them money.

[gregb]

Great news, the compensation is too low. For the guy who worries about Thailand's national debt, they can always raise taxes or cut down on other policies.

Many people here in Nonthaburi are suffering, im sure if the compensation was per day the government would make real work of draining. Now they just don't take risks and hope the water will magically go away.

Why have they ignored flood victims for years and only when people in Bangkok are affected do they choose to sue.

I can understand the desire to sue because of the mishandling of the situation.

I know if my home had two meters of water in it instead of just one because the government was more concerned about the business district I would be irate.

That is the case here, but its bad that nothing was donb earlier. (other governments). This one was man made because of the dams plus mismanagement. But if earlier governments including red and yellow had done more maybe things would have been better.

Well I don't really support the sue them attitude but if they do it will sure make this and any subsequent government think twice before they decide to let the canals fill up with junk and build on them. So in a way I am thinking for the future good of Thailand it is a good idea..

I really don't think it matters who was in power at the time the years of neglect by all have made their lasting impression on the people of Thailand.

I am glad it is the Thaksin government the Democrats only ignored it for three years and the army for one year.

As an American I guess I don't really understand this hesitance to sue. The lawsuit is a tool used to garner justice when there is either a disagreement as to fault, or one or the other party is not fulfilling their responsibilities in a contract. The fact that the government is a defendant is irrelevant. People who are deprived justice should absolutely turn to the courts for restitution.

I suppose people who don't support the lawsuit idea would prefer that those who have been abused simply shut down Ratchaprasong intersection until they get justice?

There can absolutely be frivolous lawsuits that abuse the system, but this is not one of those cases. I would think everyone should be singing the praises of the legal councils who are trying to show citizens a better way to solve their disputes than forming yet another mob. Unfortunately, as most of us who are on the receiving end of the injustice don't believe that we can win relief through the courts, the mob is still going to be the primary path. But if the lawsuit works in the end, it will be a great day for the rule of law in this country, and may just show residents that it isn't necessary to take things into their own hands.

Maybe everyone who is anti lawsuit is from Europe?

[hellodolly]

Ya and it could help Thailand to become like the states. Don't worry about your own well being if some thing goes wrong you can sue.

Like I said I don't really like the idea but this is Thailand and that might be the only way to get this and future governments attention.:jap:

What do you call one hundred lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean

answer A good start.

That is a North American joke.

[gregb]

Ya and it could help Thailand to become like the states. Don't worry about your own well being if some thing goes wrong you can sue.

Like I said I don't really like the idea but this is Thailand and that might be the only way to get this and future governments attention.:jap:

What do you call one hundred lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean

answer A good start.

That is a North American joke.

Come on...there is a balance that needs to be found here. Just because the US has gone too far one direction does not mean that the mob rule anarchy we have in Thailand is the solution. A little rule of law in Thailand can only be a good thing. I for one will be joining the lawsuit and demanding justice from this government for the 500k+ damage that they have inflicted on me. It will most likely be a futile attempt, but it can only help future generations.

[hellodolly]

Ya and it could help Thailand to become like the states. Don't worry about your own well being if some thing goes wrong you can sue.

Like I said I don't really like the idea but this is Thailand and that might be the only way to get this and future governments attention.:jap:

What do you call one hundred lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean

answer A good start.

That is a North American joke.

Come on...there is a balance that needs to be found here. Just because the US has gone too far one direction does not mean that the mob rule anarchy we have in Thailand is the solution. A little rule of law in Thailand can only be a good thing. I for one will be joining the lawsuit and demanding justice from this government for the 500k+ damage that they have inflicted on me. It will most likely be a futile attempt, but it can only help future generations.

True there is a balance to be struck.

Like I said and you say it might help future generations.

For myself I am fortunate. Here in Chiang Mai it was only three days just a experience.

The reality is that i is a trikey situation on the one point do you have flood insurance. Living in a area where it can flood could lead some to say it is your fault. On the other hand you have the rite to expect a honest effort from your government to mitigate the damage.

Please do not take this personal it is just some of the pro's and con's and as you say probably a loosing battle. Which brings up another point how many people are willing to put up with the aggravation over a long period of time knowing that it is probably not going to gain them any thing.

Sorry to hear of your loss all the best.