Court tells BMA to pay bt1.3m as compensation

Krittiwit Kritpanyawaroj sustained brain and head injuries when an iron tube fell down onto his head on March 2, 2004.

The tube had a fourinch diameter.

Used to cover electric wire, it belonged to the BMA Public Work Department.

Following the accident, Krittiwit was rushed to a hospital where his medical bill soared to Bt303,327. After he was discharged, he has still had to seek regular treatment at the cost of Bt55,000 a year.

The continued treatment will likely take up to 10 years.

Due to the injuries, Krittiwit lost his monthly income from his job as a cleaner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok. His salary was at Bt6,060.

Krittiwit, therefore, sued BMA and a Bangkok governor for a compensation of Bt17.1million.

At the time of the accident, Samak Sundaravej was the Bangkok governor. However, Samak already passed away last month.

The Central Administrative Court yesterday found BMA and Samak guilty of dereliction of their duty.

The tube should have been maintained in good conditions.

According to the court, Krittiwit would have not been injured had both defendants kept the tube in proper conditions.

The court blamed BMA for the accident, which left Krittiwit with permanent disabilities.

Therefore, it required BMA to pay Bt1.36million compensation to Krittiwit.

The amount shall be also subject to an annual interest rate of 7.5 per cent from February 21, 2005 onward. 

The payment must be made within 60 days since the final court ruling came out.