The Supreme Court's order forcing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to compensate relatives of 12 of the 29 people killed in the collapse of the Phran Nok pier in 1995 has delighted those who have been fighting the case for 20 years.
The compensation award of 12.6 million baht plus interest can't bring their loved ones back. However, the court's ruling has upheld the rights of commuters to expect a certain level of safety when they get on public transport.
The BMA must take its share of the blame for failing to prevent the tragedy, the victims' relatives told the Bangkok Post.
Niwat Cheewasukthaworn, who lost his elder sister and nine year-old niece Korakot "Bow" Thangserisuksan in the accident, recalls the accident with distress.
When he heard news of the accident, he wondered whether his niece was safe, as he knew she often took the ferry to school.
He called asking if Nong Bow arrived at school safely. "No. She is not here. Is there anything wrong?" Mr Niwat quoted a staff member from Khemasiri Memorial school as saying.
Bow, who was studying in Phathom 4, and her mother drowned when the Phran Nok pier collapsed.
"The feeling of loss never goes away. The pain is inside our hearts, especially my mum's. Deep down, she is heartbroken over their deaths," Mr Niwat said.
"My mother still cannot hear anything related to the pier accident on that day. My father died three years ago. He was the same,'' he said.
Sometimes the pain drives people to fight. Mr Niwat said his mother Rattana Cheewasukthaworn joined relatives in filing the case against the BMA in 1996. He and his father have pursued the case since.
The 20-year fight had taught them many lessons.
"My family went out of business after my sister died. We had gone blank. My mum kept crying. We suffered, but we are much better now because we have to accept the truth,'' he said.
Mr Niwat said he was disappointed when the BMA blamed the victims for the fatalities. It said they should have read a sign at the pier warning passengers the pier could accommodate only 60 people.
"How could the BMA blame passengers for not checking the sign? Who knew they were going to die? The BMA cannot excuse its failure and avoid taking responsibility. Isn't it their duty to check how well it is maintained?'' Mr Niwat asked.
The BMA has been told to pay his family 2-3 million baht in compensation over the next 30 years. Mr Niwat said he could not describe the court's order as a victory.
"Our friends congratulate us. Did we win? Am I happy? Is my mum happy? I do not think so," he said.
"No matter how much money they pay us, it will not bring back our beloved ones. We have money, but our sadness never vanishes. I do not know why I should be happy.
"My niece's future [if she was still alive] is much more valuable than the money they are going to give me,'' Mr Niwat said.
"But at least our family's 20-year struggle for justice is finally over,'' he said, forcing a smile.
Painful memories of the pier accident also haunt Surin Polsuk, a 60-year-old vendor from Pathum Thani, who lost two loved ones that day.
"I was 40 when this horrible accident happened. I lost my wife, I lost my only son, I lost everything,'' he said.
Mr Surin said his wife took their six year-old son Patapol Polsuk, or "Nong Ake", to school as usual.
After the accident, Mr Surin went to Siriraj Hospital to collect their bodies where he met a survivor who said his wife had pleaded with him for help.
The man told Mr Surin he couldn't help, and had to abandon Nong Ake to his fate.
"He told me my wife begged him for help. She didn't want help herself, just our son. But the man couldn't do it,'' he said.
"The man said he abandoned my son in the river, as he was afraid that if he allowed my son to cling on to him, he would have died too,'' he said.
"I was not angry. I understand no one wants to die. So I told him not to worry. It was alright. It passed,'' he said.
"Time heals all wounds, but does not fix everything,'' Mr Surin said.
A woman from Nakhon Pathom says she has learned to adjust after losing her husband in the tragedy.
Suna Klangsaworn, a 60-year-old noodle vendor, said her children have helped her cope with the loss of her husband, Rangsan Klangsuworn, 54.
The noodle shop was not far from the pier. She raced there as soon as she heard about the accident.
"I was so sure my husband was at the pier because he had to get on the boat there. I rushed to the site of the accident in time to see the rescue team pulling the first body from the waters. I pushed myself through the crowd to see who it was. I was in shock: it was my husband,'' she said.
Ms Suna said she was four weeks pregnant at the time with the couple's second child.
"I lost a pillar of my family. I had to be strong and do something as my kids had to study. I started selling kway teow [noodles], fried chicken and khao tom [rice porridge]. I brought up my children on my own,'' she said.
Twleve plaintiffs took a civil lawsuit against the BMA, Supatra Co and the Marine Department in 1996 for dereliction of duty. The tragedy caused 29 deaths and several injuries.
Some plaintiffs later withdrew after the defendants paid them compensation.
Watchara Sukon, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said he was happy for them and believed the case sets an example to private companies and public authorities involved in public transport.
She said companies running piers and ferry services must make sure they comply with rules set by the public authority.