Provincial governors are to begin taking legal action against flood victims who block roads in protest of the governments failure to promise compensation payments.
The government has not promised compensation for damage incurred during last years flooding to some victims in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya and Samut Sakhon, the Bangkok Post reported.
“I think that residents who demand compensation by blocking roads should not be paid, and they should be prosecuted because they’re creating a wrong movement,” Pracha Terat, deputy permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry said yesterday.
He suggested that protesters should gather at city halls or district offices rather than causing problems by closing roads, adding that police should take action against people causing disturbances.
About 1,000 residents of Bang Khen on Wednesday gathered at the district office to demand 20,000 baht in compensation for all victims of the floods, with some of the protesters blocking Pahon Yothin Road.
Mr. Pracha said that if the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration promised to provide such compensation to all households, then it is that organization’s duty to pay out from its on budget – not the government’s.
