Pattaya Court Sentences Mountain B Pub Owner to Five Years in Prison Without Bail

[Georgealbert]

 

File picture for reference only.

 

A Pattaya court has sentenced Phongsiri “B” Panprasong, owner of the Mountain B pub, and his associates to five years in prison for negligence leading to the deaths of 24 people in the 2022 fire at the venue. The court denied bail for all defendants.

 

The ruling comes following the tragic blaze that engulfed the Mountain B nightclub in Sattahip, Chonburi, on 5 August 2022. The fire claimed the lives of 13 people on the night of the incident, while 11 others succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Around 50 more sustained various degrees of injury.

 

According to lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet, head of the Justice Advocacy Foundation, the Pattaya Provincial Court delivered its verdict on 18 March 2025. The court found Phongsiri, along with an electrician, guilty of negligence causing death, sentencing them to 10 years in prison. However, as both pleaded guilty, their sentences were reduced to five years.

 

Meanwhile, Phongsiri’s wife, Anongnat Panprasong, and his father were sentenced to 10 years each. The court did not grant bail to any of the convicted individuals.

 

Following the ruling, Ronnarong stated that no action had yet been taken by victims’ families in response to the verdict. He also noted concerns over reports that Phongsiri’s father might have been granted bail due to his close ties with local police, which may have deterred some from seeking further legal action.

 

Regarding compensation for victims, Ronnarong confirmed that financial settlements had been made. The most severely affected individuals received up to 200,000 baht, while others received varying amounts based on the extent of their injuries and losses.

 

Ronnarong further called on Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate government officials responsible for issuing permits to Mountain B. He stressed that once a licence is granted, authorities should ensure continued compliance with safety regulations.

 

The Mountain B tragedy remains one of Thailand’s deadliest nightclub fires, drawing widespread criticism of lax safety enforcement in the country’s entertainment industry.

 

Related original post:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1268090-sattahip-district-chief-transferred-after-pub-fire-kills-14-people/

 

-- 2025-03-20

 

 

[Ralf001]

very light sentence given the body count.