BMA accepts court ruling and vows to fix faulty piers

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.