BMA accepts court ruling and vows to fix faulty Chao Phraya piers

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BMA accepts court ruling and vows to fix faulty piers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday said it accepted the Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday to pay compensation worth Bt12.6 million to 14 people whose relatives were killed when a floating dock at Phran Nok ferry pier capsized in 1995. The BMA also said it would contact the Marine Department to help boost safety at all piers across the city.

Bangkok governor MR Sukhombhand Paribatra said the BMA was waiting for the court written order so that it could proceed with the compensation payment to the deceased persons' relatives. He said that, from now on, the city and the Marine Department would clarify their responsibilities and accountabilities, which were somewhat vague.

In this case, the law had authorised the Marine Department to be in charge of Chao Phraya River piers and docks, he said. But the department assigned the city to take care of and develop them - the city was willing to perform the job accordingly if fully authorised by law in order to accommodate and provide safety to members of the public, he added.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the Appeals Court’s civil lawsuit ruling that the BMA had to pay Bt12.61 million plus 7.5 per cent annual interest to the plaintiffs as the city was seriously reckless and negligent for overloading the dock with 100 passengers on June 14, 1995.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/BMA-accepts-court-ruling-and-vows-to-fix-faulty-pi-30254497.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-20

[CelticBhoy]

They always seem to wait until a disaster has struck

before doing anything about obvious dangers. This

one has taken them 20 years since the event to do

something. Obviously nobody important uses the boat.

[noitom]

It took a court ruling to get BMA to make the world famous Chao Praya river piers safe. Does this ruling apply to all piers or just the one that collapsed?

[tonytigerbkk]

20 fricken years, that's how long it took to agree to compensate the the victim's families.

Absolute disgrace.

[Keesters]

It is the BMA i.e. taxpayer that ends up paying rather than the real culprits who worked for the BMA and failed in their duties in maintaining public safety.

[yellowboat]

The river ferries move a good portion of the population everyday, but some of the piers are not well maintained. Should be a point to pride make these piers look good and functional. Again, why bother with the average Thai in elitist Thailand ?

[tonytigerbkk]

It is the BMA i.e. taxpayer that ends up paying rather than the real culprits who worked for the BMA and failed in their duties in maintaining public safety.

The real culprits have probably long since retired and are enjoying a good end of term bonus and pension.

[jcisco]

It is the BMA i.e. taxpayer that ends up paying rather than the real culprits who worked for the BMA and failed in their duties in maintaining public safety.

The real culprits have probably long since retired and are enjoying a good end of term bonus and pension.

Its fun to speculate.

[Srikcir]

BMA accepted the Supreme Court's ruling

Was there any choice? it's not like they have the power of the Junta to ignore a legal judicial system.

[tonytigerbkk]

It is the BMA i.e. taxpayer that ends up paying rather than the real culprits who worked for the BMA and failed in their duties in maintaining public safety.

The real culprits have probably long since retired and are enjoying a good end of term bonus and pension.

Its fun to speculate.

That's why I used the word 'probably'.

[Keesters]

I find it ironic that the recipients of the compensation, if Bangkok taxpayers, will be partly footing the cost of said compensation.