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Published on August 1, 2007

Taweep Srinoum from the Lawyers Council of Thailand said no compensation had been paid to the family, despite a promise by the bus owner.

Last week in the Bangkok South Civil Court, Sukhumvit Hospital revealed the 14-year-old boy's treatment costs had soared to Bt500,000.

The court heard evidence from witnesses as the hospital sought to recover the cost of treatment from the family and the bus owner.

Thanawit's family has to deal not only with the civil case, but is also struggling to gain justice in the criminal case against the bus driver.

The driver was originally charged with careless driving resulting in severe injury in February 2006.

He was acquitted of the charge in May 2006 due to a lack of witnesses and evidence. The family then filed the case in the Appeal Court in July 2006 and are still waiting for a result.

Taweep said in the civil case, the court had decided to let all sides try and reach a decision on the treatment costs before another hearing on October 25.

He said the family had tried to contact the bus owner, who had said she would be responsible for treatment costs, but had failed. "I will sue the bus driver, the bus owner, the bus insurance company and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority for the hospital bill. However, first I have to check what the limitations of the case are," Taweep said.

Thanawit's father Surachai, his mother Angkhana and sisters Suthida and Suvipha have been struggling since the accident. The family's only income comes from Suthida and Suvipha, who earn about Bt30,000 a month.

"We earn only Bt30,000 a month and we have to pay for the cost of treating his injuries and the drugs he needs after leaving hospital. That is up to Bt10,000 a month. It's causing us a lot of trouble," Suvipha said.

She said her father could not stop thinking of the accident, believing that it was his fault. It had weighed so heavily on him that he could not do anything.

Thanawit is now in Mattha-yom 2. He can walk around by himself but is unable to do hard exercises as the injuries to his legs have not healed properly.

Wannapa Phetdee

The Nation