Democrat Party to Sue Bangkok Over Flood Compensation
The Democrat Party is preparing to sue the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in administrative court over inadequate flood compensation for residents in the Romklao and Khlong Chan areas, with lawsuits expected to be filed by the end of November. Party-list MP Sakoltee Phattiyakul said flood depths reached 1.6 meters and lasted nearly a month, causing massive property losses, yet compensation has been limited to around 10,000 baht per household and verification of occupational losses remains delayed. The party plans to file separate cases for each district and may extend litigation to Nong Chok, inviting affected residents to join as co-plaintiffs.
Democrat Party list-MP Sakoltee Phattiyakul leads a party team preparing to file an administrative lawsuit against the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) demanding flood compensation for the Romklao and Khlong Chan areas. The suits are expected to be lodged by the end of November, with a case for Nong Chok district to follow.
On November 14, 2026, Sakoltee Phattiyakul, a party-list MP and deputy party leader overseeing Bangkok, accompanied by party deputy secretary-general and legal committee chair Ramet Rattanachewang, the Blue House team, the party legal team, and Dr. Anan Ruekdee, a former local sub-district administrative organization candidate, visited the hard-hit Romklao community. They listened to residents affected by the prolonged flooding, pressed the BMA to accelerate proactive compensation, and prepared to represent residents in an administrative court lawsuit to seek justice and set a precedent for state accountability.
Sakoltee disclosed that party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva had assigned him to hear the problems and prepare to represent residents in filing administrative cases. He found Romklao suffered damage no less severe than Khlong Chan, with flood depths reaching 1.30–1.60 meters and inundation lasting nearly half a month, causing massive property damage.
"Although most residents have received the first tranche of compensation at 5,000–9,000 baht, the critical issue is compensation for occupational tools and equipment, where the BMA's on-site damage verification remains delayed, and there are reports the budget may be insufficient. We urge the BMA to clarify and update progress urgently," Sakoltee said.
He added that the maximum compensation received — only around ten thousand baht — does not match the reality of massive losses to homes, vehicles, and motorcycles not covered by compulsory insurance. He had raised this in parliament multiple times: even if water management failed, compensation must not be delayed.
"Nearly two months have passed; the debris remains but compensation is still incomplete and flawed. The BMA should work proactively, set up coordination centers or send officers to the people, not burden the suffering residents with traveling to district offices alone," Sakoltee said.
Regarding the legal action, Sakoltee said the initial focus will be on the two worst-hit areas — Romklao and Khlong Chan — with separate lawsuits for each. The Khlong Chan case is expected to be filed in the week of November 23. For Romklao, the team will gather additional documents on November 22 and spend about a week drafting the complaint, aiming to file both suits by the end of November. The team is also considering additional litigation for Nong Chok district.
Sakoltee added that the Democrat Party stands with affected residents and invites those interested to join as co-plaintiffs. They can contact the party's complaint center, the Blue House team, or the party legal department at any time.
"Suing a state agency may seem distant for villagers, but the Democrat Party is willing to represent them to establish a precedent: if the state errs, it cannot just pay a small compensation and walk away — it must provide reasonable redress."
