An environmental group has filed a complaint against Khlong Prem prison and Chatuchak district office for dereliction of duty over pungent odours and emissions from the prison's kitchen.
Srisuwan Janya, president of the Stop Global Warming Association, said a petition has been submitted to the Administrative Court seeking a solution to what he described as air pollutants released from the prison.
The lawsuit was triggered by a complaint by Puangpen Soisonthi, 75, a resident of Prachaniwet 1 housing estate in Chatuchak district, he said.
Ms Puangpen, a retiree, suffers from respiratory problems and allergies. She alleged her quality of life is being ruined by the odours and other emissions from the prison's kitchen where cooking with strong spices emits a strong and pungent smell. Food preparation seems to go on around the clock, she said.
Both agencies could be held accountable for violating the law protecting public health, Mr Srisuwan said.
The Administrative Court yesterday accepted the petition for consideration.
Suchart Wonganantachai, chief of the Corrections Department, said the department received a complaint about the offending smells months ago and assigned the prison chief to deal with it.
Khlong Prem prison chief Prasert Yusuparb suspected the foul smell came from prison officials' living quarters located adjacent to the prison's wall because the prison's main kitchen is situated in the inner part of the compound. Mr Prasert said he had instructed officials to avoid causing a nuisance to the nearby community by installing a cook hood in their kitchen.