Activist eyes legal action over Chatuchak tree felling

All that is left of this massive tree in Chatuchak district is a 1-metre stump. (Photo courtesy Stop Global Warming Association)

Political activist Srisuwan Janya, also president of an environmental movement group called the Stop Global Warming Association, has said he will lodge a petition Tuesday with the Central Administrative Court against City Hall over its felling of a large tree in Chatuchak district on Saturday.

Although Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) regulations permit district offices to cut down or relocate trees for safety reasons, this act by the Chatuchak district office was unjustifiable, he said.

The decision by the district office may be considered a violation of the 1999 Act on Establishment of Administrative Court and Administrative Court Procedures, he said.

Mr Srisuwan also accused the BMA of having a hidden agenda, saying now that this particular tree was cut down, a private party would benefit, but refused to give further details.

Only a 1-metre tall stump remains near a bus stop in front of a commercial building on Thetsaban Songkhro Road.

A number of other laws were violated at the time, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act and the Criminal Code, according to Mr Srisuwan.

He also encouraged members of the public to join his effort to pursue legal action against the BMA.

Chatuchak district's director Pockhrong Pollamuang told Bangkok Post that the district cut down the giant tree at the request of a house owner.

The tree stood on both public and private land, while its huge roots, he said, had damaged a public pavement and the structure of the house.

"We had no choice but to cut it down otherwise the district might have had to shoulder the liability for the damage."