Damages sought over Samut Prakan dumpsite

[webfact]

Damages sought over dumpsite
The Nation


Firefighters use a water-spray jet as they attempt to control the fire at the garbage dump in Tambon Praksa, Samut Prakan province.

Council to help villagers get compensation from owners, state agencies

BANGKOK: -- The Lawyers Council will assist villagers affected by the Samut Prakan fire in filing civil and administrative lawsuits to demand compensation from the owner of the dump and five state agencies.

At least 500 households have signed a suit against the Praksa Tambon Administration Organisation president, Samut Prakan governor, provincial industry office, provincial natural and environment office, and the Pollution Control Department for neglecting to control the dumpsite and allowing it to operate without a permit.

They will also sue the owner for at least Bt100,000 in damages per person for mental distress and physical injury from the toxic smog generated by the smouldering fire.

Suwit Cheyubon, chairman of the council's environmental division, said his legal team would collect more documents and evidence to lodge a class action lawsuit on behalf of residents this week.

Some 1,900 households have submitted complaints to the Department of Special Investigation.

According to the Public Health Ministry, about 1,200 people living near the dump fire have been treated at hospitals for "pink eyes" and sore throats.

A child aged one year and eight months has recovered from a lung infection and been discharged from hospital.

Dr Namphon Danpipat, deputy provincial public health chief, said people living within 200 metres of the fire must be monitored closely for health impacts from the toxic smog. Smoke near the site was measured at 10 micrograms per cubic metre, which was regarded as a safe level.

Police Colonel Pichai Kriangwattanasiri, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Fire and Rescue Department, said he dispatched 150 firemen, 34 fire engines and two high-pressure water cannon trucks to put out the fire at the garbage dump. It is not known what caused the fire, which broke out on the 150-rai site on March 16. People had to evacuate from nearby homes and seek shelter at the Praksa Tambon shelter.

Firemen have almost put out the blaze and believe the situation will return to normal soon.

Police Colonel Wichit Boonshinwuttikul, superintendent of Bang Pu Police, said he had already asked the dumpsite owner to report for questioning.

-- The Nation 2014-03-24

[clockman]

See this is typical of the way Thai law works. The police asked the owner to come in for questioning! Why not just go and get him ?

[Morakot]

See this is typical of the way Thai law works.

Indeed, indeed! The role of the public prosecutor appears rather weak in Thailand; (apart from politicized cases) one rarely sees the state prosecutor in the interest of the public taking up cases. This seems to be left to individual initiatives in the realm of private law.

[speedtripler]

See this is typical of the way Thai law works. The police asked the owner to come in for questioning! Why not just go and get him ?

because he probably has his office addess listed which is likely at the burning dump and as most rich people make sure .there

is a few layers of protection between them and the law

[webfact]

1,200 ill from toxic landfill fumes
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 24 – More than 1,200 people were sick from toxic fumes at a landfill site in suburban Samut Prakarn province in the past week, the Public Health Ministry reported.

Narong Sahametapat, permanent secretary for public health, said the fire at the landfill site in Praeksa sub-district of the provincial seat was completely put out on Saturday.

A mobile medical unit has been stationed at Wat Praeksa to provide assistance and medical treatment to people affected by the fumes while nearby public and private hospitals also have specially treated patients from the fumes between March 16-22.

About 1,200 people sought treatment for fume-related illness, he said, adding that a 20-month baby who was admitted to Samut Prakarn Hospital for lung inflammation was discharged.

Nampol Daenpipat, Samut Prakarn deputy health officer, said the latest dust measurement in the area found that it has declined to safety level but people living in the 200-metre radius from the landfill site would be asked to undergo medical check-up at Samut Prakarn Hospital. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-03-24

[ChrisY1]

Probably not exactly on subject, but Aa past fire that killed scores of people in BKK..Santika Night club, resulted in the owner paying zero compensation to anyone....can't see how this owner will have much trouble!

[Lite Beer]

About 1,200 people fall ill because of the Praek-sa Garbage Dump Fire

SAMUT PRAKAN, 24 March 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has reported about 1,200 people fell ill due to the effects of the garbage dump fire at Tambon Praek-sa during March 16th to March 22nd.

Most of the patients were reported to have inflamed eyes, and conjunctivis or the red-eye syndrome. A one-year old child was reported to have an infection in his lungs. Fortunately, he has shown signs of recovery and already gone home. Meanwhile, the Ministry is also planning to deploy a team of officers to closely monitor health and environmental problems after the fires have ceased.

According to Doctor Narong Sahametapat, the Permanent-Secretary for Public Health, the Ministry has started sending out officials and volunteers to disseminate information to the locals living in vicinity of the garbage dump site to raise their awareness and reduce their chances of exposure to the smoke. As of now, the Ministry’s mobile medical units have been dispatched to provide continuous treatment for the locals at Tambon Praek-Sa.

Meanwhile, Doctor Nampol Daenpiphat of the Samut Prakan Provincial Health Office stated that dust particles in the area have recently been measured at ten micrograms per cubic meter, which is considered a safe level. Following that development, the Provincial Health Office has come up with two measures to handle the aftermath of the incident. The first measure is to provide free medical checkups for people living and working in the 200-meter radius of the garbage dump site. The second measure is to monitor the environment by inspecting whether there are contaminants found in food, water, or air, to raise safety awareness for the locals.

-- NNT 2014-03-24

[bangarang]

We have more space for your garbage... Mai-Pen-raiiiii.........
(im sure thats all that matters to owner)