Democrat Party to Sue BMA and DDPM Over Bangkok Floods 2026
Democrat spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang announced on Oct 25, 2026, plans to sue BMA and DDPM in administrative court over flood negligence and meager payouts.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Democrat Party plans administrative court lawsuit against BMA and DDPM.
- Blames government mismanagement rather than nature for severe Bangkok floods.
- Criticizes inadequate compensation where victims lose hundreds of thousands.
On October 25, 2026, Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesman for the Democrat Party, revealed the party's action plan regarding the severe flooding crisis in Bangkok. He announced that the party is preparing to file a lawsuit in the administrative court against state agencies, specifically the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), for dereliction of duty that caused severe damage to citizens' lives and properties.
Pongsakorn stated that the flooding in the capital was not merely a natural consequence of heavy rainfall, but the direct result of poor and inefficient state management. Issues included failing to drain water canals in advance to full capacity, allowing water pumps to break down, delayed disaster warnings, flawed urban planning, and the disappearance of Khlong Khu Bon. Although a deputy Bangkok governor admitted that residents were not genuinely warned, such apologies cannot compensate for the losses already suffered.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Regarding disaster relief measures, the Democrat spokesman criticized them as completely outdated and disconnected from reality. Residents facing property damage, ruined vehicles, and losses worth hundreds of thousands of baht received only meager payouts of a few thousand baht from the government. For instance, if floodwaters surrounded a house, victims received 5,000 baht, and 9,000 baht if water entered the interior, while damaged cars received virtually no compensation at all.
"Damages cost hundreds of thousands, yet payouts are only in the thousands. Surrounding waters get 5,000 baht, flooded homes get 9,000 baht, and damaged cars receive practically nothing."
Pongsakorn Kwanmuang
This stark discrepancy has forced numerous citizens into heavy debt, compelling them to borrow money to repair their homes and restart their lives, despite the crisis being caused by government negligence rather than their own fault.
A political party initiating administrative legal action on behalf of citizens highlights structural gaps in Thailand's disaster compensation system, which rigidly follows bureaucratic rules rather than reflecting actual economic losses. This lawsuit could establish a significant precedent for holding local and central government agencies accountable during future natural disasters.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Consequently, the Democrat Party has instructed its legal team to urgently finalize the lawsuit documents to be submitted to the administrative court, holding the negligent authorities accountable and demanding full and fair compensation for all affected citizens.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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