‘Furious aunties’ to sue BMA if they appeal court’s compensation verdict
The lawyer of the Saengyoktrakarn Family has threatened a criminal lawsuit against the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), if it appealed Wednesday’s verdict of the Central Administrative Court over illegal markets around the family’s house.
“If the BMA lodges an appeal, we will go to the Criminal Court accusing the BMA of dereliction of duty and abuse of authority,” said the family’s lawyer, Ananchai Chaiyadech.
After attacking a pickup parked in front of their house gate in February, two Saengyoktrakarn sisters became popularly know as “the family of furious aunties”.
Initial public condemnation of the two women turned to sympathy after they told their story about how five illegal markets around their house, and inaction by the BMA, had made their lives miserable for years.
The Central Administrative Court ordered the BMA to pay Bt1.47 million in compensation to the family and to clear all illegal markets from their neighbourhood. The house is located inside Seri Villa housing estate, which is a designated residential zone.
While the BMA is said to be willing to remove the markets, it also is determined to appeal over the compensation.
“We will definitely not pay the compensation,” Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang said.
Boonsri Saengyoktrakarn said the Central Administrative Court’s verdict should make it clear that authorities must strictly enforce laws and must not ignore a history of complaints from people.
At present, the five markets around her house are closed in response to an injunction imposed earlier this year until the case has had a final court ruling.
The previous vendors have moved to a nearby market to ply their trade.
“But my sales have dropped by 50 per cent since I had to relocate,” a vendor said yesterday.