Family battles deceitful Thai bus owner after Nonthaburi collision

A tragic accident involving a tour bus and a van left one person dead and another permanently disabled. The victims’ family sought compensation but faced numerous challenges as the tour bus owner appeared to have transferred assets to evade legal repercussions.

A Facebook post by Naphatsawan Kat Klinnin yesterday, August 26, highlighted the dire situation her family has faced since a tour bus rear-ended their van.

The collision, which occurred on January 19, 2020, near 8pm on Rattanathibet Road in Nonthaburi, resulted in severe injuries to four family members, including her father-in-law, herself, her young son, and her daughter. Tragically, her father-in-law passed away shortly after, and her son was left permanently disabled.

Naphatsawan detailed how her family initiated legal proceedings against the responsible parties. The plaintiffs included her husband, his sister, herself, and their two children. However, the defendants—comprising the bus driver, a limited partnership, the driver’s wife, and an insurance company—never appeared in court.

The family’s lawyer managed to negotiate a reduced debt settlement, but the defendants defaulted on the payment from the very first instalment.

Upon investigating the defendants’ assets, Naphatsawan discovered that the tour bus owner’s husband had transferred their marital property to other relatives the day after the settlement agreement. The family then filed a fraud lawsuit in Ubon Ratchathani, targeting the owner’s wife, her husband, and his child from a previous marriage.

Mediation failure

An attempt to resolve the matter through mediation resulted in an agreement to sell the tour bus to cover the debt, but once again, the defendants failed to comply.

Naphatsawan expressed her frustration, noting that the defendants had even divorced shortly before the Nonthaburi court’s ruling. She pointed out the ongoing deceitful behaviour, as the defendants continued to run their business and post about their luxurious lifestyle on social media while claiming they had no assets.

“The words and actions of this family are unreliable. They continue to operate their business while hiding their assets. Their financial statements are never submitted. Where is all the money going?”

The accident and subsequent legal battles have taken a significant toll on Naphatsawan’s family. Her son, now permanently disabled, requires constant medical care and physical therapy.

He is unable to see, move independently, or even recognise family members. Naphatsawan herself has developed high blood pressure and anxiety, while her husband suffers from insomnia and her daughter has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder.

The family struggles to cover the ongoing medical expenses, including oxygen tanks, diapers, and other essential supplies. Despite their financial burdens, the defendants remain uncooperative and elusive, leaving the family feeling helpless and frustrated, reported KhaoSod.

“It is heartbreaking to see my son in this condition. I have often felt like giving up, but I cannot abandon my child. Justice must be served.”