City Hall acquitted over elevator construction delay

People with disabilities are at the Central Administrative Court in Bangkok on Monday to hear the court's ruling on facilities for the disabled at BTS train stations. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

The Central Administrative Court on Monday acquitted the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration of violating disabled people's rights by delaying construction of elevators and other facilities at BTS train stations.

A group of people with disabilities earlier filed the lawsuit demanding compensation from BMA for the delayed construction of elevators and other facilities for them at 23 stations of the BTS electric train system.

They complained that the BMA failed to complete the facilities within one year after the Supreme Administrative Court ordered the construction in 2015, or by Jan 21, 2016.

The court ruled that the BMA had constantly reported the obstacles to the construction, which showed it did not intend to ignore the Supreme Administrative Court's order, according to the court's office.

Besides, the BMA sought additional budgets for the construction of the elevators on both sides of the 23 stations, a proof it still planned to complete the construction.

Therefore, the BMA would not have to compensate the plaintiffs.