Five people have been charged with negligence after a Thai businesswoman died trapped in her car while driving through a heavily flooded tunnel outside her housing complex in Bangkok’s Prawet District last month.
Following an investigation, police said yesterday that the Golden Nakara housing complex was solely responsible for the death of Panumat Sae-tae, 41, who unknowingly drove into the flooded tunnel in the early hours of Sept. 6, causing her car to become completely submerged underwater leading to her death.
Five individuals were charged with negligence for causing her death, three of whom were security guards who did not cordon off the flooded tunnel, while the two others were members of the housing committee responsible for the repair of utilities in the complex, Maj. Gen. Sompong Chingduang, the deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police said at a press conference yesterday.
The punishment for the crime is up to 10 years in prison and/ or a fine of THB200,000 (US$6,200).
Suchatvee Suwansawat, president of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and the engineering expert who worked with the police on the case, explained that a defective drainage system caused the floor-to-ceiling flooding in the 100-meter-long underpass, reported Khaosod.
Regarding future plans about prevention and warnings, Suchatvee advised the installations of sensors in the pumping well that would automatically alert security to close the tunnel entrance when water levels are abnormal or when problems with the connecting pipe arises.
He added that this kind of equipment must be checked on a weekly basis — or, even, daily during rainy season.
The three security guards have answered to the police’ summon, while the two housing are expected to report to police today.
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