Thai Rock Singer Charged Over Santika Pub Inferno

[george]

Thai rock singer charged over Santika pub inferno

BANGKOK: -- Police have charged singer of rock band, "Burn" for lighting fireworks that set crowded Santika pub blaze, killing 66 revellers and injured many others.

Saravuth Ariya, 28, became the the sixth person charged with negligence in connection with the inferno on New Year eve. More than 200 people were injured, mostly with severe burnt.

Deputy national police chief General Jongrak Jutanont said lead singer Saravuth was arrested on Monday. He has denied the charge of negligence causing death, and bail has been set at Bt1 million.

"Eyewitnesses and evidence points to fireworks as the cause of the fire at the pub, because the fireworks hit the club ceiling and the fire broke out 30 seconds after the fireworks were lit," Jongrak told reporters on Tuesday.

"He (Saravuth) was seen carrying fireworks into the pub and lighting them during the countdown," he added.

Burn was a regular band at the santika and the band was on stage as party-goers rang in 2009.

The death toll was high because there were few exits and the windows on the upper floors had iron bars across them.

The other five people charged in connection with the fire are owners and managers of the club who face charges of negligence causing death and admitting under-age people. One of the men remains at large.

-- The Nation 2008-01-28

[russianrobert]

This article in the Telegraph is far more enlightning.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...-65-people.html

Tha last couple of paragraphs would be bloody hilarious if not so tragic.

[mrtoad]

This article in the Telegraph is far more enlightning.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...-65-people.html

Tha last couple of paragraphs would be bloody hilarious if not so tragic.

I think that sums it up nicely, and also suggests that all "shareholders" in the club should be bought To justice. However, we know that is unlikely, as the law protects people like these.

I'm still waiting for "The Bullman", to make another statement, absolving his buddies of the blame, as he previously did in the BP.

[sunsamourai]

This article in the Telegraph is far more enlightning.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...-65-people.html

Tha last couple of paragraphs would be bloody hilarious if not so tragic.

excellent article indeed.

After seeing how premonitory the evening's poster was, i can't help but noticing that you should never give fireworks to play with to a rock band named 'Burn'...

[Goshawk]

Police have charged singer of rock band, "Burn"

wow.. a cruel irony there..

[DanaDeLuxe]

I think that sums it up nicely, and also suggests that all "shareholders" in the club should be bought To justice. However, we know that is unlikely, as the law protects people like these.

I'm still waiting for "The Bullman", to make another statement, absolving his buddies of the blame, as he previously did in the BP.

"bought to justice" - That names exactly what is going to happen ... Even if just written in a freudian slip...

To follow this tragic case makes me sad. The car park boy as "the manager" and the bandleading scapegoat - disgusting.

[mc2]

Police have charged singer of rock band, "Burn"

wow.. a cruel irony there..

that along with the 'good bye santika ' poster...... really makes you wonder

[toybits]

Another Scapegoat hangs to dry while the Colonel wriggles free?

[geriatrickid]

If the accused did indeed light firworks that caused the fire, then yes there are grounds to lay charges of manslaughter. The fact that others are just as culpable isn't an excuse to not charge him. However, as every other intelligent comment has noted, the police col. and his cronies should be next. Corruption that allowed this to occur should also result in a manslaughter charge in addition to the issuesof bribery and conflict of interest. Won't hold my breath though.

Edited January 28, 2009 by geriatrickid

[TAWP]

He was the match that started the fire...and should be have his share of he guilt. Remove him and it wouldn't have happened.

However, if the shareholders would have follow rules and regulations...so they are equally to blame at a criminal negligence level.

[Samuian]

Police have charged singer of rock band, "Burn"

wow.. a cruel irony there..

that along with the 'good bye santika ' poster...... really makes you wonder

At first hand thought the same - the coincidence of last day of the lease, "burn" and "bye, bye Santika" is just breathtaking - someone deranged in the owners portfolio?

"The registered managing director of the company which owned the nightclub was in fact an attendant in the car park."

Source:

This setup makes one wonder too... !

TAWP Posted Today, 2009-01-28 11:10:15

He was the match that started the fire...and should be have his share of he guilt. Remove him and it wouldn't have happened.

However, if the shareholders would have follow rules and regulations...so they are equally to blame at a criminal negligence level.

There was an Eyewitness report HERE in TV and he stated that it WASN"T the fireworks lit at the stage, it seemed that the fire started somewhat on the roof/ceiling.... on top of the stage, has the location of the start of the fire ever been properly located?

Edited January 28, 2009 by Samuian

[sibeymai]

It would seem that the Police Colonel has had something to do with the club not being subject to law enforcement. If proven then this indicates criminality.

However, as a shareholder, he's not criminally responsible for how the club was operated, only financially responsible.

[mrtoad]

It would seem that the Police Colonel has had something to do with the club not being subject to law enforcement. If proven then this indicates criminality.

However, as a shareholder, he's not criminally responsible for how the club was operated, only financially responsible.

I don't think it takes a genius to work out what has been going on.

The sad thing is, that this whole thing is already being set up for a couple of fall guys, and those that are also responsible for negligence and corruption leading to this tragedy will end up getting off scot free.

[injomtien]

Wow, But Mr Prayont Lasua sounds like such an honest guy....mwaaahhaaa..

Thai Police Sucks!

Police to focus on backlog of political cases

Prayont Lasua, deputy commander of the CSD, has ordered investigators to concentrate on all politically-related cases pending inquiry in a bid to make progress in legal proceedings. Prayont said yesterday the move was meant to show that the police were not a tool of any political group. His statement was in response to heightened public doubt on police impartiality in dealing with political cases. Since 2005, the CSD has received a stream of complaints ranging from libel to lese majeste lodged by politicians, activists, and members of the public. This has tremendously increased the investigators' workload. Prayont said the sluggishness in dealing with the workload occasionally drew allegations that police failed to maintain neutrality in handling the cases. In a bid to clear the backlog of unsolved cases, police will prioritise them before sending them to the public prosecutors and the court, he said. Police earned a reputation of serving politicians while Thaksin Shinawatra, an ex-police officer, was in office before he was deposed in the 2006 coup. Veera Somkwamkid, secretary-general of the People's Network Against Corruption, complained about the lack of progress in a lawsuit he filed in 2004 against Potjaman Shinawatra in her purchase of land in Ratchadapisek and the alleged bribery committed by Thaksin and his sister, Yaowapa Wongsawat.

[timi2546]

......

Thai Police ...

hmm....better to watch what u say

[toybits]

They (Santika club owners and protectors) provided the stage and allowed it to happen.

He was the match that started the fire...and should be have his share of he guilt. Remove him and it wouldn't have happened.

However, if the shareholders would have follow rules and regulations...so they are equally to blame at a criminal negligence level.

[Old Man River]

This article in the Telegraph is far more enlightning.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...-65-people.html

Tha last couple of paragraphs would be bloody hilarious if not so tragic.

I think that sums it up nicely, and also suggests that all "shareholders" in the club should be bought To justice. However, we know that is unlikely, as the law protects people like these.

I'm still waiting for "The Bullman", to make another statement, absolving his buddies of the blame, as he previously did in the BP.

I was just searching for the Bulman's name when I see you have already found it. I still don't know his personal agenda, but his statement about his buddies being made a scapegoat is hilarious given that his buddies made a parking attendant their managing director so he could take the fall if they were ever caught for not paying taxes. Now, this poor fallguy is on the run from the police for the fire (with the tax collectors not far behind).

It is interesting that the police, somehow, can't find a parking attendant.

[Old Man River]

It would seem that the Police Colonel has had something to do with the club not being subject to law enforcement. If proven then this indicates criminality.

However, as a shareholder, he's not criminally responsible for how the club was operated, only financially responsible.

He is not even financially responsible other than the potential for losing the amount he invested if White and Brothers goes bankrupt (which is possible given it had no insurance). The Police Colonel is not a director of White and Brothers and therefore his personal financial responsibility is limited to his investment, just like any other shareholder.

[neverdie]

Im just wondering for how many years people will keep bringing the former PM's name up???

Whats even more surprising is where his name keeps popping up. Imagine what a different world we would be living in, if he hadn't ruined it all.

[TAWP]

It would seem that the Police Colonel has had something to do with the club not being subject to law enforcement. If proven then this indicates criminality.

However, as a shareholder, he's not criminally responsible for how the club was operated, only financially responsible.

He is not even financially responsible other than the potential for losing the amount he invested if White and Brothers goes bankrupt (which is possible given it had no insurance). The Police Colonel is not a director of White and Brothers and therefore his personal financial responsibility is limited to his investment, just like any other shareholder.

Ofcourse that is so. But a misuse of power and corruption-investigation seem like it would be a good idea to launch. As his presence clearly had a statistical influence on the number of raids they had to undergo in this venue.

[webfact]

I wonder who paid his bail...

[sibeymai]

It would seem that the Police Colonel has had something to do with the club not being subject to law enforcement. If proven then this indicates criminality.

However, as a shareholder, he's not criminally responsible for how the club was operated, only financially responsible.

He is not even financially responsible other than the potential for losing the amount he invested if White and Brothers goes bankrupt (which is possible given it had no insurance). The Police Colonel is not a director of White and Brothers and therefore his personal financial responsibility is limited to his investment, just like any other shareholder.

Yes, that's what I meant to say. Thanks for the clarification.

[Old Man River]

It would seem that the Police Colonel has had something to do with the club not being subject to law enforcement. If proven then this indicates criminality.

However, as a shareholder, he's not criminally responsible for how the club was operated, only financially responsible.

He is not even financially responsible other than the potential for losing the amount he invested if White and Brothers goes bankrupt (which is possible given it had no insurance). The Police Colonel is not a director of White and Brothers and therefore his personal financial responsibility is limited to his investment, just like any other shareholder.

Ofcourse that is so. But a misuse of power and corruption-investigation seem like it would be a good idea to launch. As his presence clearly had a statistical influence on the number of raids they had to undergo in this venue.

On one hand I have to agree, but on the other hand you and I both know that it would be a waste of taxpayer's money.

[TAWP]

It would seem that the Police Colonel has had something to do with the club not being subject to law enforcement. If proven then this indicates criminality.

However, as a shareholder, he's not criminally responsible for how the club was operated, only financially responsible.

He is not even financially responsible other than the potential for losing the amount he invested if White and Brothers goes bankrupt (which is possible given it had no insurance). The Police Colonel is not a director of White and Brothers and therefore his personal financial responsibility is limited to his investment, just like any other shareholder.

Ofcourse that is so. But a misuse of power and corruption-investigation seem like it would be a good idea to launch. As his presence clearly had a statistical influence on the number of raids they had to undergo in this venue.

On one hand I have to agree, but on the other hand you and I both know that it would be a waste of taxpayer's money.

Ofcourse, my post was from an utopian standpoint and not from a pragmatic one that I would apply if I in fact had control over the decision itself.

[sibeymai]

Aparently the Police Colonel in question disappeared in a mudslide, body never found.

10 our of 10 for originality.

[Boater]

Before a senior police officer, Police Colonel Prayont Lasua, bought a share in the business in 2006 the club had been raided 47 times for operating without a licence. After he invested it was never raided again.

this was never published in any Thai Papers

or this

The registered managing director of the company which owned the nightclub was in fact an attendant in the car park. The company's executives had not paid tax for five years. The Santika was not licensed as an entertainment venue and the signatures of engineers had been forged on construction documents.

this is incredible ! ...

but more over, if you watch a video of the actual event at the countdown EVERYBODY in the room was holding Sparklers ! ....

[sibeymai]

Aparently the Police Colonel in question disappeared in a mudslide, body never found.

10 our of 10 for originality.

Sorry, got my police wires crossed. The guy who disappeared in a mudslide is the policeman being sought in connection with the disappearance of the muslim human rights lawyer.

[sriracha john]

Another Scapegoat hangs to dry while the Colonel wriggles free?

*someone else is also using the exact same terminology*

Burn lead singer is scapegoat : Justice Ministry

Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga yesterday showed the press video footage to prove that the Burn's lead singer, Saravuth Ariya, was a scapegoat.

The 28-year-old was earlier charged of setting off fireworks on stage that set the Santika Pub ablaze killing 66 party-goers.

Pirapan told the press yesterday that his ministry's investigation team has found faults in the police reports and would therefore tell the Department of Special Investigation take it up as a special case on February 11.

The minister said the findings would also be submitted to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva today.

Reporters were yesterday shown security-camera footage within the club and images of Forensics Chief Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan conducting a test on the fireworks believed to have been used.

The security-camera footage, which the ministry's panel reportedly obtained three days after the fire, contradicted witness testimonies that Saravuth had lit fireworks on stage.

The footage shows balls of fire falling from the ceiling 2:57 minutes after the pyrotechnics were lit, and Saravuth is seen leaving the stage. There were no images of the singer lighting the fireworks.

Pirapan said experiments showed that fireworks take a while to spark a blaze. However, security footage shows that the fire spread in a couple of minutes, probably because the ceiling was made of flammable materials.

He has urged witnesses to carefully review their accounts, adding that many of the surviving party-goers could no longer be contacted at the numbers they had provided.

In a separate occasion, Abhisit yesterday said he agreed with the idea of having the DSI look into the club's fire because the case was too complicated, adding that the Justice Ministry and the police work hand in hand and exchange any information and evidence they may have.

Pirapan revealed that traces of heroin and cocaine had been found in staff and musicians' dressing rooms, and it was suspected that drugs freely changed hands inside the venue. The panel has told the Office of the Narcotics Control Board to further investigate.

The Anti-Money Laundering Office was also instructed to look into the 20 Million Baht transfer into the club's bank account supposedly from an alcohol company. The firm denied making any such transaction.

The team is also questioning why the police stopped raiding the premises after a certain individual bought shares in the White and Brothers on September 17, 2006.

This was despite the 47 arrests police had made previously for unauthorized opening of the venue and selling booze at prohibited times.

Pirapan also revealed that Suriya Ritrabeu, Managing Director of White and Brothers, had a history of drug abuse and further investigation showed that Santika Pub had paid no excise taxes throughout its five years of operation.

In addition, documents were found containing forged signatures of an architect and a construction-supervisory engineer, which might have been part of an illegal ruse to issue forged construction permits.

The engineer's name was used in 33 applications for construction permits, he said. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has been urged to look into this aspect of the case because it goes against the Building Control Act.

Meanwhile, the police continues to stand by its claim that Saravuth is to be blamed for the blaze.

"We have clear evidence or else the court would have not approved the arrest warrant," Pol Colonel Kachornsak Pansakorn said.

- The Nation / February 3, 2009

Edited February 2, 2009 by sriracha john

[callum06]

The new video shows how fast everything happened, it looks like within the space of 30 seconds the whole roof has fallen down... again i couldn't see the singer in question doing anything wrong the police will continue to make a pigs ear out of this while the worlds press looks on..... shame on you Thailand.

[dee123]

Of course as the car park attendant (as Manager of Santika) should be held responsible for this tragedy......Him or the som-tam lady who cooks on the main road.

Edited February 3, 2009 by dee123