15-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) A seemingly routine hotpot meal turned into a nightmare for a Thai woman dining at a Bugis restaurant, as an adjacent table’s gas cartridge exploded, causing severe injuries and permanent scarring. Najai Benchawan, who came to Singapore in 2015 as a performance artist, endured first- and second-degree burns across her face, hands, back, and legs when hot soup splattered on her due to the blast.
The court recently ruled in her favour, awarding Najai S$110,489.38 in damages, more than double her initial claim. The incident occurred in April 2015 at Chong Qing (Origin) Steamboat on Beach Road in Bugis. The explosion not only left Najai physically scarred but also resulted in the loss of her job as a performance artist, a career where her appearance played a crucial role.
After the explosion, Najai underwent surgery and therapy for six months, developing permanent keloids on her shoulders and wrists. Her eyes were also damaged, requiring a month for her to fully regain her eyesight. The court found the steamboat restaurant liable for the explosion, noting that a waitress had tampered with the stove’s safety mechanism, leading to the blast.
Despite Liberty Insurance, representing the restaurant, arguing for a significantly lower compensation of S$13,000, the court deemed the sum “outrageously low.” In the final verdict, Najai was awarded S$70,000 for pain and suffering, S$20,000 for loss of earning capacity, and S$20,489.38 for medical expenses in Singapore and Thailand, totaling S$110,489.38 in damages—highlighting the gravity of the injuries and the long-term impact on Najai’s life.
