PUBLISHED: 21 Apr 2025 at 04 :48
City Hall has defended itself against censure it paid limited payment for home maintenance to some disaster victims, saying more cash may be timely in extraordinary cases.
The issue of payment was addressed at a press event on collapse comfort led by lieutenant Bangkok government Tavida Kamolvej on Sunday, following a public protest after a problem posted on Facebook by People’s Party MP for Bangkok Supanat Meenchainan.
Mr Supanat said several flats were seriously damaged by the March 28 collapse.
Maintenance for each apartments user were estimated to move into tens of thousands of ringgit.
But, officials told the condominium owners the settlement would come down to around 300–700 ringgit for each system. A hole on the walls, for example, is worthwhile payment of 75 baht.
” Just a condominium owner said he was offered 41 ringgit and 90 satang in payment. How touchingly generous of the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ).
” Is this how the government cares for its folks? The payment for home maintenance is frankly horrible,” he said.
Mr Supanat said settlement costs were nowhere near what some express offices were spending on their cheap building projects and equipment.
” They should handle the citizens with more respect,” he said.
The MP said he has raised payment says with a House sitting committee which has summoned officials overseeing the operation to speak on Thursday.
Mr Tavida on Sunday insisted the settlement rolled out by City Hall complies with existing catastrophe prevention laws.
She said payment pays for building materials and maintenance cost in cases where harm is limited to certain parts of a home.
The lieutenant governor said the rates some condominium owners were given were primary and city engineers may provide a visit once before a budget is sought from the Finance Ministry.
An amendment to allow larger compensation sums will be tabled in parliament on Tuesday although the approval process could take some time, Ms Tavida said.