A senstive question regarding the liability of a Temple.

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This morning my g/f, her mother and her sister went to a temple in Nongbualamphu - it's, apparently a day when extra merit can be gained by doing so.

Anyway, after an hour or so my g/f's sister needed to go to the toilet BUT when she sat down the whole thing collapsed and a jagged edge of the porcelain? deeply penetrated her nether regions (I don't know where exactly, but will find out later).

This resulted in her losing a large amount of blood before being rushed to hospital and she then needed a transfusion (I've been told about 1.5L), as well as being in the operating theatre for around 90 minutes, whilst they attempted to repair the damage.

A senior monk, from the temple, did apparently visit the hospital and expressed his sympathy but made NO offer to cover the costs, which I think could be substantial.

My question is therefore this:

Has anyone on this forum had either personal experience of something similar or know of someone who has and how was it handled?

If something akin to this had happened to a ferang, either in his/her home country or Thailand I think the avenue taken would be obvious - pay or I sue!

However, given the reverence that Thais show to both monks and temples I can see this being more than a little complicated.

Any advice will be more than welcome.

[maaka]

had a word with my missus just to get a poor rice farmer, sister of the soil, steeped in tradition and temple culture viewpoint...

.' why not ask lawyer or policeman was first response, then ' if was small injury and small money then just bad luck ' , then, ' he should ask wife/ sister /mother what they want to do ' then, ' can take time and cost money to try get monk to pay '

[DuiDui]

I would be suprised if the Abbot of the Temple would give money for hospitalbills..but then you never know.And a Thai asking for money from the Abbot..No way in...but then you never know for sure..Goodluck and hope she will recover soon...and next time..check the toilett for cracks before you get an extra one for free

Have a good day everyone in this sunny and nice weather we have now.

[lovetheDuc]

Exactly the same thing happened to my missus at a temple in Khon Karen, she very nearly died from blood loss the abbot payed for all medical and also gave her 20,000 baht compensation all without asking.

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AN UPDATE!

The temple,this morning, first gave 20,000 then a further 5,000 when they learnt that the hospital had already been paid 23,000.

My best guess is that they've now accepted that they are liable for the entire costs involved.

I'll provide more info' when I have it.

[Liam Dale]

If I can add a thought here.. because we are aware of a similar incident. Maybe she was just sitting.. in which case.. bad luck and very doubtful compensation.. specially from a temple.
But if she was actually standing (feet) on the toilet and squatting .. less bad luck and just something many Thai toilets are not strong enough to handle. Especially with bigger women. Even less likely compensation.
SOME women do it here in the shop - even though we have seat and proper flushing farang style toilet. We DELIBERATELY bought one of high strength to counter this. Temple toilets of course are NOT bought from Wasadu.
And NOTHING changes the unpleasant habit of people wiping and then try to hide the paper even though our sign says flush paper and there isnt a bin. Just sayin and I hope healthy healing for the unfortunate sister.

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Exactly the same thing happened to my missus at a temple in Khon Karen, she very nearly died from blood loss the abbot payed for all medical and also gave her 20,000 baht compensation all without asking.

Many thanks for the info' which I'll now pass on to my g/f.

It was very much appreciated.

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Exactly the same thing happened to my missus at a temple in Khon Karen, she very nearly died from blood loss the abbot payed for all medical and also gave her 20,000 baht compensation all without asking.

Since reading your post, I can confirm that the senior monk who arrived with the cash wasn't responding to a request and it was, totally, unsolicited.

My g/f had said last night that she intended approaching the temple about the issue but he arrived before she had done that.

[pomouk]

well ifthe monk is in the wrong then they need to sort it out

[neeemu]

Fair play to the temple, they rely on generosity of others so made the right call here.

[DuiDui]

I'm ..good call by the Temple's Abbot..Maintenece isn't one of the Thais strong points..may it be Temple or house,car,cleaning up trash...But this was a to wake up to...Money paid..Hope your wife is recovering 100% soon.

Have a good day both of you AND the UM readers.