Thawim Saengdej was convicted of causing death through negligence and of violating transport regulations by failing to have the bus's faulty automatic door repaired. Yesterday his original three-year prison term was halved because he had confessed and cooperated with authorities since the accident took place at the Lam Salee Intersection.

Thawim said he was not speeding while driving the Number 207 bus, but the Criminal Court ruled that he was still responsible for the girl's death as he failed to have the vehicle's broken front door fixed.

The victim, Piyathida Chotimanas, was standing next to the door holding textbooks in one hand and in the other a mobile phone, which she answered just as the bus took a turn. The court ruled that if the door had been working properly, the Assumption University student would not have fallen. She died 10 days later.

Nam Chotimanas, Piyathida's father, said the prison term was fair to his daughter, but was upset by a statement written by the defence in a civil lawsuit he filed against the bus driver and four other defendants. In one part, the statement read: "Travel on city buses is regarded as a routine risk faced by all commuters in the capital."

"No [foreign] tourists would come to Bangkok if they read [the statement]," Nam said.

Nam and his wife Lakkhana earlier won a civil lawsuit and were awarded Bt10,747,000 in compensation from five defendants including Thawim. All five are appealing the Civil Court's verdict.

The parents' suit demanded Bt12,081,211 from Thawim; Khajorn Ajollawich, the operator of Bus Number 207; the 207 Bus Service Co Ltd; Chao Krasaechol, concessionaire of the Bus Number 207 service; and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, which grants the concession.