thai Co 60 - victims demand compensation

[P van Rooyen <rooyen@aib-vincotte.nl>]

The following is at 
http://www.bangkokpost.net/160800/160800_News15.html

note that 10000 baht equals 215 US dollars
17,7 million baht equals 380000 US dollars


=================================================

Victims demand  compensation
 Group rallies in vain at Kamol Sukosol Co

 Anjira Assavanonda 

 Victims of the cobalt-60 radiation leak gathered in front of Kamol
 Sukosol Electric Co yesterday to pressure the company for
 compensation.

The group prepared to submit a petition and meet company
representatives, but finally posted the letter in front of the head office
when nobody turned up to meet them.

The petition demands that the company pay a total of 17,672,000 baht to 11
victims of
the radiation leak.

 The victims are classified into three groups. The first group includes three
 dead people-Niphon Panthukhan and Kecha Songsripipat of Somjit
 scrap shop, and the aborted baby of Mrs Pattana Thamniyom; as well as
 Jitsen Chantarasakha and Bunthung Sila, two scrap collectors who have
 become disabled.

 The second group comprises four patients who suffered serious radiation
 injuries, including Jitraporn Jian-udomsap, owner of Somjit scrap shop,
 her mother Tawil Sae-jia, her employee Surinoi Yucharoen, and
 Sonthaya Saprathum, another scrap collector.

 The third group comprises two victims with damaged chromosomes,
 Chantip Petcharat and Somjai Kaewpradub, who were temporary
 employees of the scrap shop.

 The victims and their relatives say they have been in trouble since the
 incident took place six months ago.

 People with serious injuries were given 10,000 baht each by Kamol
 Sukosol, but the amount could not compensate for their loss, they said.

 Some of the victims had parts of their bodies cut off due to radiation
 burns, while many also suffered physical weakness and had to quit their
 jobs.

 Leading the group yesterday were Voravit Charoenlert, a lecturer of
 Chulalongkorn University who chairs a working group for the radiation
 victims, and Kampol Vuthisarnsunthorn, an uncle of the scrap shop
 owner.

 Despite the company's refusal to meet them, the victims said they would
 not let the matter rest. "This issue will not end so easily.

 "The company is looking down on us, though we have come here
 peacefully," he said.

 The group also plans to pressure the Science Ministry to disclose all
 relevant information as well as to speed up its investigation into the
 incident.

 Meanwhile, Suwat Apaipakdi, legal adviser for Kamol Sukosol, told the
 Bangkok Post that the company could pay no more to the radiation
 victims.

 He said the company had already provided a large amount of money.

 Victims would have to file lawsuits with the court if they seek more.

 "The demand for 17 million baht in compensation is too high,"he said.

 Mr Suwat accused the scrap collectors and the scrap shop of having
 illegally entered the company's warehouse where the toxic materials had
 been stored, and to have stolen property.

 They had carelessly tampered with a dangerous object, he said.

 "We helped them earlier for humanitarian reasons, but we won't pay any
 more," he said.

==============================

P. van Rooijen
Manager HSE
AIB-Vinçotte Nederland BV
Postbus 6869, 4802 HW Breda
The Netherlands

tel	++31 (0) 76 579 11 54
fax	++31 (0) 76 587 47 60 
e-mail	rooyen@aib-vincotte.nl


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