The Civil Court has delayed its decision about whether the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) needs to pay compensation for failing to provide necessary facilities for disabled commuters at all skytrain stations.
The court yesterday postponed its decision until May 18, saying it had decided to transfer the case to the Appeal Court to rule over its jurisdiction.
The decision was made after a team of city officers made a plea to the court, arguing the case may not fall under its jurisdiction but instead that of the Administrative Court.
A group of 98 people with disabilities, including those from the Bangkok School for the Blind, in the capacity of plaintiffs, yesterday appeared at the court to testify against the City Hall as the defendant.
It demanded City Hall compensate them 1.4 million baht each for the inconvenience and increased transportation costs caused over the period of a year.
The group estimated the lack of such facilities cost each of them 1,000 baht daily.
According to the law, they can call for the maximum of four times the damage which was calculated at 4,000 baht daily.
On Jan 20, 2017, wheelchair-bound Suporntum Monkolsawadi, who is secretary-general of the Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities, filed a lawsuit against City Hall for failing to follow a court order to install enough lifts at BTS skystrain stations.
On Jan 21, 2015, the Supreme Administrative Court ordered the BMA to complete the installation within one year, or by Jan 21, 2016.
It was also ordered to ensure all trains must have one carriage which can easily accommodate people with disabilities.
However, though 12 lifts have been installed at the station, only three connect to the platform, while the rest only connect the street to the ticket offices.
Earlier this month, three lifts each were installed at Ratchadamri, Phrom Phong and Thong Lor skytrain stations while two also opened at On Nut station.
The four stations are among 19 scheduled to be installed with additional lifts.
Sonthipong Mongkonsawat, a lawyer for the disabled, said prosecutors questioned five of his clients at yesterday's session. After the inquiry, the BMA entered their plea to the court over the court's jurisdiction.
He objected to that move, because the disabled had filed a lawsuit against City Hall as it had failed to follow the court ruling and it wanted the matter decided by the present court. The court will make a decision about jurisdiction on May 18.