University rejects mother’s B66m demand over daughter’s death

Nitaya Rungsathit, right, talks to reporters at Muang police station in Khon Kaen on Monday after the second round of talks with Khon Kaen University representatives over her demand for 66 million baht compensation for the death of her daughter, who was runover by a bus on campus. (Photo: Chakrapan Natanri)
Nitaya Rungsathit, right, foretells reporters at Muang police station in Khon Kaen on Monday after the 2nd round of discussions with Khon Kaen University representatives over her demand intended for 66 million baht compensation for the passing away of her child, who was runover with a bus on campus. (Photo: Chakrapan Natanri)

KHON KAEN: Khon Kaen University has turned down a woman’s need for 66 mil baht in compensation for the death associated with her daughter, the medical student strike by a bus at the campus on August 10.

Representatives said the university is state-owned and has no expert to pay the requested compensation, and suggested her to instead  file civil and criminal lawsuits within seeking justice.

Arunnapa Watanapanich, 19, a second-year student in the faculty of medicine, was hit by a bus operated by the university’s faculty of medical at a T-junction around the campus.

Her mother, Nitaya Rungsathit, 55, is definitely seeking compensation from the university.

In the first circular of talks arranged by police between Ms Nitaya plus university representatives and the driver of the tour bus involved in the accident, Microsoft Nitaya requested sixty six million baht in compensation.

The amount was based on Arunnapa having managed to graduate at the age of 25 and worked as a doctor in government provider until she retired at 60 having an averaged income of 5, 000 baht per day. She would have earned about sixty six million baht as a whole, according to Ms Nitaya.

The university representatives agreed to accept the request consideration.

The second round of talks was initially arranged for Sept 12, but was rescheduled just for Sept 5.

In the speaks on Monday, observed by police, the university was symbolized by Assoc Prof Piansak Pakdi, deputy rector for student affairs, Suwit Phiewphankhan, director of the management department of the teachers of nursing, Asst Prof Pakwilai Srisaeng, dean of the faculty, and a team associated with lawyers.

After about three hrs of talks, Ms Nitaya said the representatives had informed her the university could not pay the settlement as it is a state-run entity. They said her request was not posted to the university council because what happened was outside its range of responsibility.

Ms Nitaya said the university lawyers advised the girl family to file 2 lawsuits – one particular with the Criminal Court and the other using the Civil Court. The criminal lawsuit was already being handled by police. As for the city suit, the family could employ lawyers to file for compensation.

Ms Nitaya said she sensed the university was not beng sincere. Nevertheless , the family could do nothing but follow the lawyers’ advice, she said.

As for the criminal suit, police would send their own investigation report to prosecutors by Sept 25. The family would employ lawyers to file a  civil suit, the girl said.