Deadly Chonburi pub found to be illegally modified, operated after allowed hours

[snoop1130]

 

The damaged Mountain B pub in Sattahip district of Thailand’s eastern province of Chon Buri, where 14 people were killed and dozens of others injured in a fire last night, has been found to have been modified illegally and had operated beyond the permissible hours, according to Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj-Gen Attasit Kitjaharn.

 

He said that the pub owner was granted permission to operate as a restaurant, where liquor could be served to its customers, but it was modified into a pub without a permission.

 

He also said that most customers were unaware that there were back and side doors and that only employees were aware of their existence. The back door was blocked and the side door was locked all the time.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/deadly-chonburi-pub-found-to-be-illegally-modified-operated-after-allowed-hours/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-05

 

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[peterfranks]

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

He said that the pub owner was granted permission to operate as a restaurant, where liquor could be served to its customers, but it was modified into a pub without a permission.

And of course, plod was not aware that it was run as a pub, and open till late

[NE1]

6 minutes ago, peterfranks said:

And of course, plod was not aware that it was run as a pub, and open till late

How would they ? They only come out after an event when the cameras are there.....

[Excel]

10 minutes ago, peterfranks said:

And of course, plod was not aware that it was run as a pub, and open till late

Either big plod or big RTN bods possibly owned it indirectly. Not much in Sattahip happens without the latter being involved.

[webfact]

Sattahip Fatal Pub Fire Disaster; Allegations Of Illegal Operations

By Editor

 

 

The Mountain B pub that burned down early Friday morning, killing 14 people and injuring 38 others, was illegally built and operated.  Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said the Mountain B pub, in the Satthahip district of Chonburi, did not have a pub licence and was built in an area where entertainment venues were prohibited.

 

“Officials are checking details of the building, including its design, construction materials used, control systems and fire exits. I told them to find the cause of the fire and the people responsible for it,” said Gen Anupong.

 

 

One of the survivors is reported to have said that before the disaster music was being playing and the pub’s patrons dancing but then a fire broke out in the ceiling followed by multiple explosions. The reports suggests that the explosions immediately killed several people. Others were trapped by the raging fire as they tried to escape the scene.

 

Comments have been made that the Mountain B Pub had only one entrance and exit during the fire as the rear exit behind the music stage was locked. Additionally comments have described the interior being decorated with highly inflammable acoustic foam panels.

 

Pol Maj Gen Atthasit Kitjahan, commander of the Chonburi police, said the premises were licensed to operate as an eatery, and had been illegally altered and used as an enclosed entertainment place.

 

 

He said the building was almost completely destroyed, including the interior structure and decor, soundproofing, stage and ceiling tiles. Police attempted to inspect in late on Friday morning, but had to withdraw when the fire briefly flared up again.

 

Investigators had questioned the staff and owner of the pub, eyewitnesses and the electrician who was earlier hired to repair the building’s power system, he said.  The fire  erupted about 1am on Friday, when more than 100 customers were still inside.

 

Witnesses said the blaze was first noticed on the roof, and spread quickly through the soundproofing foam.  Fourteen people were confirmed killed in the blaze and 38 others injured, according to the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office in Chon Buri, down from early reports of 40-41 injured.

 

Of the 38 people confirmed as injured, 20 were seriously hurt as they were dependent on ventilators and had severe burns, Chonburi public health chief Apirat Katanyutanon said on Friday afternoon.  Twelve seriously injured people were transferred to hospitals in Bangkok.

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sent his condolences to victims and ordered administrative officials and police to check the safety of entertainment places nationwide, impose preventative measures, find culprits and help victims and their families.

 

Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/08/sattahip-fatal-pub-fire-disaster-allegations-of-illegal-operations/

 

-- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-08-06

 

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[austhai]

And because this was allowed & happened now they crack down on all Pattaya... Its very unfair. 

[rwill]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He also said that most customers were unaware that there were back and side doors and that only employees were aware of their existence. The back door was blocked and the side door was locked all the time.

Well if they were blocked or locked would it have mattered if they were aware that they were there?

[law ling]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The back door was blocked and the side door was locked all the time.

... memories of the of the 1997 Jomtien hotel fire (where about 100 perished) - lessons have not yet been learned.

 

Plus the article made the point that those exits were not signed or marked.

[RichardColeman]

The video of the incident with the people stumbling out and walking around on fire and in shock is horrifying. I truly hope someone goes to prison for life for this. Said to the wife, I dare say the some people are making moves to leave thailand now

[prakhonchai nick]

Close every similar establishment in Thailand, inspect them and only if all requirements are met allow re-opening. I doubt many  will pass first time!   Next check hotels especially for fire escapes, locked fire exit doors and blocked stairways.  Any inconvenience to customers will be worth it

[pops1]

I find it hilarious that these reports are written as though there are rules in Thailand that people follow. Of course it was modified unsafely. Of course exits were not adequate. Of course it was operating after hours.  I am surprised that there are not more horrendous tragedies like this. This whole country operates without rules. Red lights are merely a suggestion here amongst everything else. A nation run by corruption will always be corrupt. Every time I see a cop a cold shiver runs down my spine and I am filled with repulsion. 

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

Considering that like everything else in Thailand selling Alcohol, one assumer stringent checks were made periodically by local planners, council officials and of course the RTP . AND YET during all those checks nothing was found amiss, therefore one can only conclude that all officials visiting this establishment were blind and deaf and had recently been released from a mental institution .

The fault apart from the illegal modification is that of the local Officials and the Local RTP for NOT doing the tasks they are paid to do to benefit the public and their safety. 

Reasons.Corruption  100% , not that anyone willo ever say that, but the press should call it out loud and clear. 

[cardinalblue]

The fire marshal/gov is legally responsible for checking and maintaining this establishment is legally responsible for meeting fire code egress, type, capacity and building materials….

 

Both major parties (owner and fire dept) are to blame…one step further, since I was in health and safety, employees and patrons say they recognize the fire safety danger but negligently did nothing about it b/f an incident? But now complain after?

 

 

 

 

[sikishrory]

Lets not forget that a lot of the bars were turned into "restaurants" when the government told everyone drinking alchohol together will give you covid but eating together no problem. They didn't seem to mention that then.

[Excel]

2 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

a lot of the bars were turned into "restaurants"

For which they needed to apply for a different license. i.e  most didn't bother so it gave a continuation of the income stream to the RTP to extort money rather than lose out if the bars had closed down.

[jacko45k]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

has been found to have been modified illegally and had operated beyond the permissible hours,

And do these belatedly uncovered infringements lessen the severity of what happened or the fact places like this are allowed to operate with apparent impunity and lack of oversight?

[champers]

57 minutes ago, cardinalblue said:

The fire marshal/gov is legally responsible for checking and maintaining this establishment is legally responsible for meeting fire code egress, type, capacity and building materials….

 

Both major parties (owner and fire dept) are to blame…one step further, since I was in health and safety, employees and patrons say they recognize the fire safety danger but negligently did nothing about it b/f an incident? But now complain after?

 

 

 

 

The head of the fire service has been moved from his post. I am keen to see who the owners of this place are.

[thailand49]

1 hour ago, sikishrory said:

Lets not forget that a lot of the bars were turned into "restaurants" when the government told everyone drinking alchohol together will give you covid but eating together no problem. They didn't seem to mention that then.

You are correct l

But look at the size of the structure that itself would have been a red flag even if to be used as a Thai market. 

[newnative]

     I sincerely hope this horrific tragedy receives the same lengthy, detailed, relentless scrutiny that the actress falling off the boat got.  Just as an aside, there's a new, very cheap-looking building being constructed on 2nd Road near the 747.  Long rectangle, few windows, looks a bit like the one that burned.   Hope it gets a thorough inspection before it's allowed to open.

[phetphet]

Terrible tragedy.

 

What could there be in or above the ceiling that could cause explosions?

[Kinnock]

12 hours ago, NE1 said:

How would they ? They only come out after an event when the cameras are there.....

..... And their minions will visit every week for envelope collection.  

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Terrible tragedy.

 

What could there be in or above the ceiling that could cause explosions?

Flammable sound  insulation was mentioned.

[300sd]

Not properly licensed and open illegally after hours. You want police to do their job? Police chief in charge of that area should be charged and jailed. 15 years sounds good to me! Perhaps this "scourge of Thailand" (bib) may raise their heads out of you know where!

[sabai-dee-man]

1 hour ago, champers said:

The head of the fire service has been moved from his post. I am keen to see who the owners of this place are.

I doubt it will matter who the owners are. They were probably on the first flight out of U-Tapao this morning!

[Crossy]

46 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Flammable sound  insulation was mentioned.

 

Yeah, I reckon the fire had been simmering away in the roof space for some time with no outward signs.

 

Then the lot reaches a critical temperature and it all flashes-over, hence the almost instantaneous spread and "explosions".

[mikeymike100]

1 hour ago, champers said:

The head of the fire service has been moved from his post. I am keen to see who the owners of this place are.

Totally agree, but if the owners are "connected" you can bet they will get away with a slapped wrist, if that?

[prakhonchai nick]

11 minutes ago, sabai-dee-man said:

I doubt it will matter who the owners are. They were probably on the first flight out of U-Tapao this morning!

I would imagine they were well on their way from Thailand YESTERDAY morning!

[Darksidedude]

_{Deadly Chonburi pub found to be illegally modified, operated after allowed hours}

Nothing out of the ordinary fairly standard for Thai bars

[spidermike007]

Is there an inspection process, (which should happen at all public forums), to ensure proper entrances and exits? If so, who was bribed to allow this place to operate without the proper permits? And if they are connected and powerful will they be charged with negligence?

 

No emergency exit doors? What is that all about? Such an unnecessary waste of life. 

[Millcx]

Never … Don’t believe it