The injustice done to Mae Moh victims

Victory is somewhat hollow for the 131 victims of sulphur dioxide emitted by Electricity Generating Authority plants at Mae Moh. Fifteen of the victims did not live long enough to hear yesterday’s verdict. On average, their next of kin received just B191,000 each in compensation.
In a separate case recently, a full 20 years after 12 passengers were killed when the Phran Nok ferry pier collapsed, the Supreme Court ordered the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to pay Bt18 million in compensation to their families. Another hollow victory for the victims!
The legal maxim “Justice delayed is justice denied” should be echoing loudly through the National Reform Council right now. The celebrated case in which Erin Brockovich sued an energy corporation in California for contaminating drinking water took just three years to settle and resulted in $333 million in compensation. In America, it seems, justice is served in a timely and adequate manner.
Songdej Praditsmanont