Flood victims deserve as much as those hit by political riots: SGWA

In a petition filed with the Central Administrative Court yesterday, the Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) demanded the government award the same amount in compensation to those affected by floods as it will be giving to victims of political unrest.

"The government should not resort to preferential treatment," SGWA president Srisuwan Janya said.

According to the Cabinet's resolution on January 10, the family of every person killed during political unrest in recent years shall be entitled to about Bt7.75 million in compensation. Critics have slammed the resolution, suggesting that the government is favouring its red-shirt supporters.

"If the government compensates flood victims in the same manner, it will win even more love from the people," Srisuwan said yesterday, adding that the government should be fair to those affected by its own mismanagement of the flood crisis.

According to Srisuwan, 816 lives were lost during last year's floods.

"Failing to give family members of those killed in the floods as much as the government is giving to the families of those killed in political unrest will be seen as a violation of the Constitution," he said.

The SGWA has lodged complaints on behalf of 1,047 flood victims against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 10 government agencies.

"One of the victims wants up to Bt350 million in compensation for the damages inflicted on his factory in Ayutthaya," Srisuwan said, adding that more people were coming forward with claims for damages and loss of income.

"The SGWA will represent more victims. We are going to lodge a similar petition for more victims next month," he continued.

When the SGWA lodged a petition for the first group of 352 victims on December 21, it was not seeking compensation because at that time, the government had not unveiled its generous package for political-unrest victims. The second group consists of 695 flood victims, whose petition was lodged by the SGWA yesterday.