Concerns Over Animal Welfare Emerge After Fire Breaks Out at Pet Market

[snoop1130]

 

An early morning fire at the Srisomrat Pet Market in Bangkok, on Tuesday, forced firefighters to cut through padlocks to save a single chicken, the only survivor among dozens. The chicken was treated with oxygen in a mobile emergency vehicle provided by the Department of Livestock Development.

 

A betta fish shop, known for selling high-grade betta fish for competitions and export for the past decade, was devastated by the fire. The shop owner reported a sudden loss of hundreds of betta fish and equipment valued around 100,000 baht.

 

Suwannanee Sangdee, 49, the shocked owner of the fish shop, said her shop was in the worst-hit area and nothing remained.

 

Exotic pets, including a number of beautiful snakes, were also victims of the inferno. At least 10 snakes died in a shop with rescue workers finding their charred bodies in their enclosures. Another exotic pet shop sustained losses estimated at 500,000 baht, though their 200 snakes survived, suffering from smoke inhalation.

 

Pornchanok Veerawongwiwat, owner of The Ball Club, said that she received a call from a PETA staff member at 6 a.m. informing her about the fire. Despite her initial shock, the caller assured her some snakes had been saved.

 

SOS Animal Thailand, an animal welfare organization, deployed representatives to evaluate the situation. Dayin Petcharat from SOS Animal Thailand stressed the pressing need to address animal wellbeing in the markets.

 

A pushing for better animal welfare at pet markets should include reducing crowds, ensuring suitable care and living conditions, availing vaccinations, and enforcing licensing regulations, Petcharat explained.

 

Forensic officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. CCTV footage showed a bright orange flash around 3 a.m., after which two security guards called for help. In spite of their best efforts, the fire spread rapidly, with some explosions heard. It took more than an hour and over ten fire trucks to douse the flames.

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has asked the State Railway of Thailand for temporary shelter for the remaining animals and to restore power to the pet shops. Traders are being invited to claim compensation of around 11,400 baht each for their lost equipment. The fire's cause, rumored to be a fan left running for ventilation, is still under inquiry.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-12

 

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[Georgealbert]

Thai media reported.

 

“June 12, 16:00, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt held a press conference alongside related agencies and stated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will tighten regulations on animal trade businesses. The fire incident will be used as a lesson, as the current licensing process for animal shops in Bangkok is too lenient. From now on, all traders must obtain licenses from both the BMA and the Department of Livestock Development before opening their businesses. These stricter measures will be implemented nationwide.

 

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, Boonyakrit Pinprasong, emphasised that animal trade businesses must secure licenses ensuring proper conditions and animal welfare. He highlighted that while the department handles registered animals, other animals like turtles and fish, may require involvement from other agencies, such as the Department of National Parks for wildlife. Buyers must also obtain necessary permits to avoid charges of illegal wildlife trade.

 

Governor Chadchart reiterated that BMA is responsible for licensing hazardous businesses and that shops failing to comply will not be allowed to operate.
 

Regarding the fire incident, BMA offers financial assistance of up to 11,400 baht per affected vendor, provided they present correct certification for their business.

[Pouatchee]

How sad. No mention of any cats or dogs perishing. The picture of the cute rabbits on the op just makes readers feel more empathy than if it had been a picture of snakes

[hotchilli]

I'm sure all the businesses were legit, licensed and insured.

[WDSmart]

None of these animals should have been there. They all should have been living out in the wild where they belong. 

[snoop1130]

Over 5,000 Animals Dead, Prompting Bangkok Governor to Suspend Animal Sales

 

 

The Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, has declared a halt in operations at a popular pet market in the city. This follows a fire that resulted in the loss of over 5,000 animals recently. The Srisamorn Market, which is managed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration but is on State Railway property, has been selling pets for over two decades.

 

The market's activities are paused until further notice, with reopening contingent on approval from both the railway authorities and the market organizers. Chadchart expressed sincere apology for the tragic incident.

 

The devastating fire damaged 118 stores, partially affected another 15, and led to the death of more than 5,000 animals. These animals included 3,500 fish, 37 dogs, 2 monkeys, 1,382 birds, 30 squirrels, 100 turtles, 25 cats, 10 raccoons, and 217 chickens.

 

The Thai Animal Guardians Association, through Roger Lohanun, responded to the announcement by making three urgent demands: a fast investigation of the fire, better safety measures, and tougher enforcement of existing animal welfare laws.

 

In a related development, around 200 betta fish have been rescued from the scene of the fire. Local council members and animal welfare workers attended to the scene of the fire to help save these fish. The owner subsequently gave the rescued fish to any willing takers.

 

Dr. Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, the head of the Department of Livestock Development, reported that certain pets including chickens, reptiles, and exotic animals were saved. The veterinary staff at hand provided immediate medical attention to these animals before transferring them to a veterinary hospital at Kasetsart University.

 

Police Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpan, from the Forensic Science office, revealed that further examinations are needed to identify the cause of the fire, although the origin point is known. The area will soon be accessible for shop owners to evaluate damage to their properties.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-13

 

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[nobodysfriend]

9 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Chadchart Sittipunt, has declared a halt in operations at a popular pet market in the city.

 

Do not give permission for something that amounts to animal torture . Pet zone on this market needs to stay closed .

Remember Wuhan ?

[Will B Good]

There is little evidence that there is much concern regarding animal welfare.

 

I see big dogs caged 23/7 in Bangkok, near us there is a Husky that is on a short chain all day and lives under a bench......in the village there are dogs with huge tumours or cysts, broken legs, broken backs, skin covered in scabs.....but I guess money is the critical element..... when you are living hand to mouth as many do in the village, would you spend money to take care of an animal?

[nobodysfriend]

2 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

would you spend money to take care of an animal?

Yes .

[Tropicalevo]

6 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

but I guess money is the critical element..... when you are living hand to mouth as many do in the village, would you spend money to take care of an animal?

And that is one of the problems.

Many folk (rich and poor) buy a cute little puppy as a pet.

They usually cost next to nothing to 'run' Not much food etc.

BUT when they grow, suddenly running costs increase and then we have the issues of folk not knowing how to train or look after a bigger dog.

Next, another soi dog.

 

I had a large German Shepherd (45 kilos) for a number of years.

Many Thais were interested in him - he was very well trained (ex military).

I would tell the Thais that they could keep him if they wanted to. All that they had to do was to feed him two large, cooked chickens every day.

Suddenly, no one wanted him. Ah well. He was a great guard dog.

[Paul Henry]

No mention of the thousand rats and mice that would have died in the fire? They are animals to and pets to some people.

[Skeptic7]

Should close and outlaw most/all of the animal trade. Sadly, they won't and unfit vendors will continue to exploit, incarcerate and peddle these innocents with inadequate care, medicine, nutrition and housing. 

[Thingamabob]

A terrible tragedy. This trade should be very closely controlled. Also, how come some endangered species are involved ?

[john donson]

17 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

Do not give permission for something that amounts to animal torture . Pet zone on this market needs to stay closed .

Remember Wuhan ?

 

yes, LAB LEAK

 

not some dude eating a bat... it's 2024, not 2020

[nobodysfriend]

Just now, john donson said:

yes, LAB LEAK

 

Evidence ...?

[Nickcage49]

That's so tragic.

[Purdey]

Every "end this trade"  here ends with "create more unemployment." 

[WDSmart]

Yes! No more animal sales! Let them all go free. 

[cowellandrew]

10 raccoons

 

???

[Georgealbert]

Unaddressed Animal Remains Persist After Chatuchak 

 

“Six days after the devastating fire at the Chatuchak Weekend Market's pet zone, carcasses of animals remain scattered and unmanaged in their cages. The blaze, which broke out on June 11, left numerous animals, including birds, snakes, and fish, dead within their enclosures.

 

Today's inspection revealed a grim scene: some animals were reduced to charred remains, while others retained discernible features, clustered together in futile attempts to escape. The stench from the decaying carcasses and burnt structures permeated the area.

 

Meanwhile, affected vendors gathered to register for new trading spots with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). These vendors, whose businesses were destroyed and animals perished in the fire, are seeking new spaces within the market.

 

The SRT reported that 54 vendors, occupying 116 stalls, were impacted. Historically, these vendors operated under annual permits with a daily rental fee of 60 baht, or 1,800 baht per month. This year’s permits were set to expire on June 30, 2024, but the fire has expedited the need for relocation.

 

SRT officials stated that temporary trading spaces within Chatuchak Market are now available, and vendors can commence operations without the need for new permits. However, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) maintains that specific permits for trading animals are required, a matter the SRT clarified is outside its jurisdiction.

 

Efforts to obtain further comments from SRT executives regarding a comprehensive management plan for the aftermath of the fire remain unanswered at this time.”

 

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/341117

 

 

Edited June 17 by Georgealbert