Fire At Santika Night Club

[onethailand]

that video is disgusting. the cameraman is a despicable human being. youtube should take that down. you can literally see people dying in that video.

is that the kind of stuff on thai tv now?

I disagree. I commend the cameraman for being on the spot, as sad as this tragedy was. This video may be the only video of the disaster and can probably be used for evidence in the future.

As shocking as the scene was, I saw nothing that I would have considered disrespectful or tasteless.

[Familyonthemove]

Well. From first person perspective:

It was fuc_king unreal. Like being in a movie or something; think I'm still in shock/denial.

We went in as 7, now 4 remain missing, including my bro. Couldn't find them in hospitals last night. Going down to the morgue now. I'm praying I don't see them there, so I can continue to search the hospitals.

Afterwards the most ridiculous thing about the whole thing I've realized is that they somehow built the place with no water sprinklers, fire extinguishers or emergency lights.

Hope you managed to find your friends and family and that they are all well?

We were passed by the ambulances and fire engines on our way home last night, and I knew something terrible had happened.

I know a good and very helpfull translator if you need any help? (Send a PM and can send details)

Good luck.

[permanent_disorder]

This is a quoted message on the Santika club website:

Dear all fun loving Thai people and foreigners who were out last night trying to have a good time with family and friends at the Sanitika Club. This message is for you and your families and friends. We are deeply sadden by this accident which took so many lives and left many more hospitalized. We like to extend our sincere sympathy to all of you and your families and friends and we pray to God that he will help all of you overcome your pain and suffering quickly. May God Bless you always. Sincerely, Donald Patnaude.

that is not a statement of the owner of the club as you had it assumed before. it's only an entry on the webboard/guestbook there. everybody can write there some message.

and ajarn donald just used the tragic event to spam a link to his ajarn donald website.

[dingdongrb]

This guy also says people were firing fireworks inside.. its a shocking video so you might not want to see it.

that video is disgusting. the cameraman is a despicable human being. youtube should take that down. you can literally see people dying in that video.

is that the kind of stuff on thai tv now?

Yes it was disgusting. I thought that if he could not have had so much jerky movements by holding the camera much stiller it would have been better. Then there was a problem with the lack of background light making some shots difficult to see. But then again I thought the filming was rather good despite the circumstances he was under and not having the experience of say, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, or Quentin Tarantino. Kudos for the individual to show the world a tragedy where incompetence for public safety has been neglected.

[GTG]

News footage showed a list of about 2 dozen names at one hospital, presumably the deceased. Only one not in Thai - a 'Steven Hall'. Don't really know if it is appropriate to post that here, but given the difficulty in getting information in these situations .....

Sincerely hope that none of you knew him.

[BKKBrit]

If you look at the web site troll through the pictures of the club, can anyone spot on fire extinguisher, an 'Exit' Sign or ceiling sprinkers?

http://www.santikaclub.com/explore.php

Anyone clever enough to copy all those pics and send them to the BMA or the media with some pointed questions before the owner takes down the web site and tries to shut out the prying eye?

My condolences to those who lost friends or families.....heartbreaking.

[yabaaaa]

This guy also says people were firing fireworks inside.. its a shocking video so you might not want to see it.

that video is disgusting. the cameraman is a despicable human being. youtube should take that down. you can literally see people dying in that video.

is that the kind of stuff on thai tv now?

I strongly disagree this is life and death. Take the cotton wool off and give it me straight not some sanitized version. If that was my friend on the floor Id be only too pleased to see she was at least still alive. I hope she recovers. The cameraman is doing a good job of documenting what happened although it is rather shaky it could be useful in the aftermath to see who did what when why etc. Imagine if there was no footage of any tragedies nothing would be learnt about exactly how it played out example was the twin towers in New York.

[dingdongrb]

This is a quoted message on the Santika club website:

Dear all fun loving Thai people and foreigners who were out last night trying to have a good time with family and friends at the Sanitika Club. This message is for you and your families and friends. We are deeply sadden by this accident which took so many lives and left many more hospitalized. We like to extend our sincere sympathy to all of you and your families and friends and we pray to God that he will help all of you overcome your pain and suffering quickly. May God Bless you always. Sincerely, Donald Patnaude.

that is not a statement of the owner of the club as you had it assumed before. it's only an entry on the webboard/guestbook there. everybody can write there some message.

and ajarn donald just used the tragic event to spam a link to his ajarn donald website.

My apologies then for the misunderstanding... (I guess with him using the 'we' word I was assuming he was speaking on behalf of the club.) Anyone know who owns/manages the club then?

[DP25]

how is this not in the english media? jesus they take teh night off?

It was the AP that broke this story NOT Thai media. It was the local media that was asleep. Don't ever expect the local media to get on a hot story. Thai reporters wouldn't know a story unless it's nicely rapped up for them and spoon fed to them at a press conference with dancing girls and free food.

Astonishing. This story was on Thai TV right after it happened. LONG before it was in any English media. Yeah, they don't update stuff on the internet very fast, but you could see the story with live commentary on TV at 3am when no English language media had even touched it yet. Of course, I'm sure since you don't speak Thai, or watch Thai TV, that doesn't count unless they translate that in to English and post it on the internet.

[guru]

News footage showed a list of about 2 dozen names at one hospital, presumably the deceased. Only one not in Thai - a 'Steven Hall'. Don't really know if it is appropriate to post that here, but given the difficulty in getting information in these situations .....

Sincerely hope that none of you knew him.

From CNN

Steven Hall, a British national injured in the blaze, told CNN that flames began to spread along the ceiling above the stage where a band and DJ were performing. But some people appeared to believe it was part of the performance.

[troy04]

they anyway had to change the location as of 1.1.09 the lease was going to finish. now they appear with a new name HOBB:

http://www.santikaclub.com/event/joeyboy/index.php

http://www.santikaclub.com/webboard/santik...mp;forum_id=579

it reminds me to that unbelievable act some years ago when a convoy of construction vehicles with soldiers on it rolled through the city well after midnight going to destroy the new made up bars at sukhumvit 10 after giving a 5 minute notice. but there they gave some notice at least noone was hurt.. everyone knew who was it.. he didn't build anything there yet except a park named after him...

boycott? if you would know thai people better you would know they not think that much as we foreigners do. they believe in destiny and in addition they got further lives as buddhists, not joking, you can see it in many ways like on the street, they seem not to be afraid of dead the way they drive, at least on motorcycles....

If potential customers boycotted venues with obvious safety problems, things would soon get fixed.

Well, unless there is a mass boycott, along with clear reasons why, then nothing will change. Just stopping going there will not send a message - the management will just change the decor or venue, thinking those things were keeping the punters away.

[yabaaaa]

This may be irrelevant but what is the purpose of all that "ISO xxxx..." certification that you often see in Bangkok?

Is that obtained thru back handers too?

First all as others have said, what a start to a new year. I express my sincere condolences and sorrow for all those that had family and friends killed in this tragic event. May they RIP. I wish a full and swift recovery for all those that survived and were hurt although I am sure with many that have very deep burns this may not occur but my prayers are with you.

As for ISO, ISO has nothing to do with safety.

I can confirm that in Thailand ISO can be easily "bought", my wifes old company (who'm she worked for) did exactly this. It makes the company look better to countries outside of Thailand such as Europe for exports I should think. The reality is they dont have ISO standards at all.I doubt anything will change regarding fire safety here although it will give my wife more ammunition to stamp out the smoking occurring at the condo blocks where w e rent out units and the Farangs who mainly flout this rule due to their perceptions you can ignore all rules/laws in Thailand.

Once again, ISO has nothing to do with safety......period!

This is a quoted message on the Santika club website:

Dear all fun loving Thai people and foreigners who were out last night trying to have a good time with family and friends at the Sanitika Club. This message is for you and your families and friends. We are deeply sadden by this accident which took so many lives and left many more hospitalized. We like to extend our sincere sympathy to all of you and your families and friends and we pray to God that he will help all of you overcome your pain and suffering quickly. May God Bless you always. Sincerely, Donald Patnaude.

I never said ISO did have anything to do with safety, I was just replying to the person who commented on ISO "availability" in Thailand

[ScubaBuddha]

This guy also says people were firing fireworks inside.. its a shocking video so you might not want to see it.

that video is disgusting. the cameraman is a despicable human being. youtube should take that down. you can literally see people dying in that video.

is that the kind of stuff on thai tv now?

I disagree with you DeganFarang. When I first watched these videos I had mixed emotions about the intent of the cameraman. But then I realized the story has to be told. And although the cameraman is a retired doctor, there is likely little that he could have done beyond what was already being done. There were no tools at his disposal such as emergency oxygen, or even water to cool the skin of burn victims. You do see him attempting to take vital signs of an burned girl, but Thai EMT's arrive and actually tell him in Thai to get away. Read his postings on youtube and you can sense his anguish and desire he had to help. I am former police officer with EMT training and live in Thailand. As a farang it is difficult to know when to get involved. For example I saw a Thai girl (pedestrian) get clipped pretty good, nearly putting her to the ground, by a weaving, likely drink, driver last night on my way home. The driver didn't stop. She didn't look severely injured so I followed him home and got his license plate, which was just 3 blocks away. When I stopped to call the police, my Thai girlfriend of 3 months said I should not get involved because she thought the girl was O.K. and she would actually break up with me if I got involved. She had my phone, so I called later, but the police were not interested in the information, saying I had to get the girl to make a report. (And we broke up.)

We all want to help. But in the panic it is difficult to know how. My hope is the terrible images the cameraman has captured will make some difference in fire safety not just in Thailand, but around the world. From what I've seen it is the only video of this tragedy so far. I'm still checking to see if any friends were there last night.

And DeganFarang, have you ever watched Thai T.V? Or T.V. in any country but America? There is little, if any censorship of shocking images such as these.

Condolences to the victims loved ones.

SB

[Basil B]

Just a thought, but there must be many people concerned for family or friends that might be a victim of this tragedy.

Think, could someone be concerned for you? Save a lot of unnecessary worry with a quick phone call home to say you’re safe.

[Jimjim]

I strongly disagree this is life and death. Take the cotton wool off and give it me straight not some sanitized version. If that was my friend on the floor Id be only too pleased to see she was at least still alive. I hope she recovers. The cameraman is doing a good job of documenting what happened although it is rather shaky it could be useful in the aftermath to see who did what when why etc. Imagine if there was no footage of any tragedies nothing would be learnt about exactly how it played out example was the twin towers in New York.

Exactly, should we condemn the actual news photographers for taking pictures? If not, then we can't condemn the amateurs from doing it as well.

[dingdongrb]

News footage showed a list of about 2 dozen names at one hospital, presumably the deceased. Only one not in Thai - a 'Steven Hall'. Don't really know if it is appropriate to post that here, but given the difficulty in getting information in these situations .....

Sincerely hope that none of you knew him.

From CNN

Steven Hall, a British national injured in the blaze, told CNN that flames began to spread along the ceiling above the stage where a band and DJ were performing. But some people appeared to believe it was part of the performance.

So now we have two posts regarding this person (see post #214)..... Once says that he is deceased and the other he is giving accounts of the tragic event. Hmmmmmmmmm

[yabaaaa]

A very sad way to start out the new year. My condolences to all involved. But situations like this are just waiting to happen. I was just talking to a teacher friend who said he teaches in a school with about 4000 student and there is not one fire extinguisher in the school. I wonder how many fire extinguishers the night club had?? Is there a fire code in Thailand??

I don't know but they do seem pretty good at making sensible rules and then equally bad about enforcing them. Many modern condos do have very good sprinkler and fire alarm systems installed ........... whether they are tested or actually work would be another story?

[onethailand]

http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/01/hea...es_30092285.php

Police said the Santika Pub fire's death toll rose to 60, with 32 victims still unidentified.

Police said 14 women and 17 men have yet to be identified and a victim's sex was not known.

So far, 18 victims have been identified as:

1) Supol Mekkrai

2) Boonyarat Saenmueangchin

3) Charnwit Wutthilert-anan

4) Rungnaphachai Chaiprasert

5) Leelawadee Wanthoen

6) Chalermchon Boonprom

7) Sumalee Meksup

8) Praew Aiyara

9) Kanthida Winothai

10) Meesak Kaewla-iad

11) Krit Narai

12) Karn Krasri

13) Pornthipa Buamak

14) Yossathorn Kuphaphan

15) Tharapol Wangthaweewong

16) Samit Yindeethammakij

17) Torsak Yuto

18) Surasak Wanwisetkul

19) Arthit Theppathaamanurak

20) Suparirk Pattanasin

21) Panya Chaiysasit

22) Walaya Samkong

23) Chakchai Nuamcharoen

24) Apichaya Sirikamol

25) Kasidis Mueandej

26) Jiraphat Kleebmek

27) Thiwaskorn Pinthabutr

28) Teo Sze Siong, a Singapore man

[DP25]

not only this place. 1 door/no emergency exits would never be approved in western countries.

I've been in plenty of bars in the US that had only 1 door. And were up a flight of stairs. And if there was a fire a hundred people would have died, no possibly way for everyone to get out.

[meom]

I was in a club nearby which was equally packed when there was a power cut thanks to the fire in Santika and everyone had to leave.

Saw loads of people running away from Santika. A horrible scene indeed.

One conspiracy theory circulating in Thai forums is that the fire was started by an arsonist. The story goes like this:

When the lease of the club was about to expire, the owner(s) of Santika asked for an extention because the club was doing very well but then it was immediately rejected as the premises owner saw a golden opportunity in starting their new nightclub in such a prime location already popular among clubbers. This is quite common practice in Thailand in case you didn't know. They either reject an extension or ask for much higher rent.

So the Santika management got furious for obvious reasons and planned arson of the whole premises on the last day of the lease as a way to get back to the premises owner. While police investigation is still under way, many believe the Santika management will get away because 'apparently' some clubbers have come out and said the fire was started by fireworks by one of their fellow clubbers. One can't help wondering how they could be allowed to bring in such flamable material. They also must have known that the premises owner would be held responsible for the fire-trapping design of the club.

To add fuel to the conspiracy, this was the first time that fireworks were ever used and top perfomers Joey Boy and his crew miraculously escaped the fire despite being on the stage most of the time. Plus the major share holders of Santika weren't present last night when they should have been there to offer their thanks to loyal punters and see their world renowned club end in style.

Anyway this might just be a theory but you know anything is possible when it comes to big money. Just look at the Iraq war and stuff.

My condolences to the family and friends of the many victims.

Maybe right who knows. Either way the Santika management/shareholders are fully responsible in my opinion.

The owner of the building only rents out the building to Santika and it's the shareholders/management responsibility that the building conforms to whatever standards are required to operate as nightclub.

[BkkAnimalover]

Well. From first person perspective:

It was fuc_king unreal. Like being in a movie or something; think I'm still in shock/denial.

We went in as 7, now 4 remain missing, including my bro. Couldn't find them in hospitals last night. Going down to the morgue now. I'm praying I don't see them there, so I can continue to search the hospitals.

Afterwards the most ridiculous thing about the whole thing I've realized is that they somehow built the place with no water sprinklers, fire extinguishers or emergency lights.

Oh no...

Which hospitals have you checked? Jor Sor 100 has reported some of the names of those in hospitals so if you have a way of tuning in that might be a start.

Anyone can give me the jor soroy 100 telephone

number

[bkkguru]

I was in a club nearby which was equally packed when there was a power cut thanks to the fire in Santika and everyone had to leave.

Saw loads of people running away from Santika. A horrible scene indeed.

One conspiracy theory circulating in Thai forums is that the fire was started by an arsonist. The story goes like this:

When the lease of the club was about to expire, the owner(s) of Santika asked for an extention because the club was doing very well but then it was immediately rejected as the premises owner saw a golden opportunity in starting their new nightclub in such a prime location already popular among clubbers. This is quite common practice in Thailand in case you didn't know. They either reject an extension or ask for much higher rent.

So the Santika management got furious for obvious reasons and planned arson of the whole premises on the last day of the lease as a way to get back to the premises owner. While police investigation is still under way, many believe the Santika management will get away because 'apparently' some clubbers have come out and said the fire was started by fireworks by one of their fellow clubbers. One can't help wondering how they could be allowed to bring in such flamable material. They also must have known that the premises owner would be held responsible for the fire-trapping design of the club.

To add fuel to the conspiracy, this was the first time that fireworks were ever used and top perfomers Joey Boy and his crew miraculously escaped the fire despite being on the stage most of the time. Plus the major share holders of Santika weren't present last night when they should have been there to offer their thanks to loyal punters and see their world renowned club end in style.

Anyway this might just be a theory but you know anything is possible when it comes to big money. Just look at the Iraq war and stuff.

My condolences to the family and friends of the many victims.

Maybe right who knows. Either way the Santika management/shareholders are fully responsible in my opinion.

The owner of the building only rents out the building to Santika and it's the shareholders/management responsibility that the building conforms to whatever standards are required to operate as nightclub.

Yeah but then what standards do thai clubs do ever have to conform to?

For a start, they should defo limit the number of people let in.

[onethailand]

Anyone can give me the jor soroy 100 telephone

number

1137

[nickynomates]

News footage showed a list of about 2 dozen names at one hospital, presumably the deceased. Only one not in Thai - a 'Steven Hall'. Don't really know if it is appropriate to post that here, but given the difficulty in getting information in these situations .....

Sincerely hope that none of you knew him.

From CNN

Steven Hall, a British national injured in the blaze, told CNN that flames began to spread along the ceiling above the stage where a band and DJ were performing. But some people appeared to believe it was part of the performance.

So now we have two posts regarding this person (see post #214)..... Once says that he is deceased and the other he is giving accounts of the tragic event. Hmmmmmmmmm

This is fishy Annogram Steven Hall = A Hells Vent

[kat]

I was in a club nearby which was equally packed when there was a power cut thanks to the fire in Santika and everyone had to leave.

Saw loads of people running away from Santika. A horrible scene indeed.

One conspiracy theory circulating in Thai forums is that the fire was started by an arsonist. The story goes like this:

When the lease of the club was about to expire, the owner(s) of Santika asked for an extention because the club was doing very well but then it was immediately rejected as the premises owner saw a golden opportunity in starting their new nightclub in such a prime location already popular among clubbers. This is quite common practice in Thailand in case you didn't know. They either reject an extension or ask for much higher rent.

So the Santika management got furious for obvious reasons and planned arson of the whole premises on the last day of the lease as a way to get back to the premises owner. While police investigation is still under way, many believe the Santika management will get away because 'apparently' some clubbers have come out and said the fire was started by fireworks by one of their fellow clubbers. One can't help wondering how they could be allowed to bring in such flamable material. They also must have known that the premises owner would be held responsible for the fire-trapping design of the club.

To add fuel to the conspiracy, this was the first time that fireworks were ever used and top perfomers Joey Boy and his crew miraculously escaped the fire despite being on the stage most of the time. Plus the major share holders of Santika weren't present last night when they should have been there to offer their thanks to loyal punters and see their world renowned club end in style.

Anyway this might just be a theory but you know anything is possible when it comes to big money. Just look at the Iraq war and stuff.

My condolences to the family and friends of the many victims.

This possibility has been sitting at the back of my mind. Anyone who knows Thailand for any length of time, knows that vindictive acts around property and leasing are very common, including discontinuing a lease after a rented business becomes successful. It seems too outrageous to me that this would happen on the last day of the lease, with a sign that says "Goodbye Santika", and flagrant disregard for lighting fireworks inside the premises. Something doesn't seem right.

Either way, it is tragic and highly contemptuous of human life. Don't count on finding out the truth, or seeing anyone directly related held responsible.

[meom]

Yeah but then what standards do thai clubs do ever have to conform to?

For a start, they should defo limit the number of people let in.

There's probably a written building code somewhere but when it comes to implementation the baht code rules and that's when things get fvkd.

Sure they should limit the number of people, not allow firecrackers inside etc. Just common sense but thais & common sense don't always mix right.

Edited January 1, 2009 by meom

[whooliggen]

Did anyone else here receive the SMS invite from Santika to their New Years Party? Got it a couple of days ago and only remembered it late last night, but we all decided it was too late and would be too crowded by then. That horrible sense of - there by the grace of God go I...

My sincerest condolences to any and all involved and hope that you Dissolution have found your friends and brother well and fine.

Here's hoping the new Government sees this tragedy as an opportunity to make an early statement as to its commitment to enforcing new changes to the established way of doing/covering up things. Can live in hope...

[Basil B]

Just reported on "SKY"

2 Brits in hospital, status "Critical", names and hospital not stated.

[rjk]

We saw the fire trucks, police and other emergency service vehicles going down soi 22 at speed from Larry's dive, there appeared to be two waves of emergency service vehicles go past. I would suppose the first lot were dispatched before the seriousness of the situation was fully understood.

Michelle (mfd) and I had a good time at the Thai Visa party, however this sad event does dampen the new years celebrations some what. Our sympathy goes out to anyone who was either in the club or families of those affected.

I am ok, but how about the other members who left early from the Thaivaisa party? Please post and confirm that you are ok.

[permanent_disorder]

I was in a club nearby which was equally packed when there was a power cut thanks to the fire in Santika and everyone had to leave.

Saw loads of people running away from Santika. A horrible scene indeed.

One conspiracy theory circulating in Thai forums is that the fire was started by an arsonist. The story goes like this:

When the lease of the club was about to expire, the owner(s) of Santika asked for an extention because the club was doing very well but then it was immediately rejected as the premises owner saw a golden opportunity in starting their new nightclub in such a prime location already popular among clubbers. This is quite common practice in Thailand in case you didn't know. They either reject an extension or ask for much higher rent.

So the Santika management got furious for obvious reasons and planned arson of the whole premises on the last day of the lease as a way to get back to the premises owner. While police investigation is still under way, many believe the Santika management will get away because 'apparently' some clubbers have come out and said the fire was started by fireworks by one of their fellow clubbers. One can't help wondering how they could be allowed to bring in such flamable material. They also must have known that the premises owner would be held responsible for the fire-trapping design of the club.

To add fuel to the conspiracy, this was the first time that fireworks were ever used and top perfomers Joey Boy and his crew miraculously escaped the fire despite being on the stage most of the time. Plus the major share holders of Santika weren't present last night when they should have been there to offer their thanks to loyal punters and see their world renowned club end in style.

Anyway this might just be a theory but you know anything is possible when it comes to big money. Just look at the Iraq war and stuff.

My condolences to the family and friends of the many victims.

This possibility has been sitting at the back of my mind. Anyone who knows Thailand for any length of time, knows that vindictive acts around property and leasing are very common, including discontinuing a lease after a rented business becomes successful. It seems too outrageous to me that this would happen on the last day of the lease, with a sign that says "Goodbye Santika", and flagrant disregard for lighting fireworks inside the premises. Something doesn't seem right.

Either way, it is tragic and highly contemptuous of human life. Don't count on finding out the truth, or seeing anyone directly related held responsible.

trash talk for the small and narrow minded, a BS conspiracy theory.