Little Action On Bangkok Santika Pub Tragedy

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BANGKOK PUB FIRE Little action on Santika tragedy

By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation

Published on December 22, 2009

Little action on Santika tragedy

Prosecutors to reveal criminal case today

Nearly a year after an inferno claimed 66 lives and injured dozens more at the Santika Pub, victims have had little joy from Thailand's slow-moving justice system.

"Because the case is complicated and involves a lot of victims, the Civil Court is taking longer than usual to make a ruling," Jessada Anujaree, the Law Society of Thailand vice president, said.

Some 47 Santika victims and relatives have filed lawsuits against the pub operator, White and Brothers (2003) Co Ltd, with the Civil Court. The plaintiffs have sought more than Bt549 million in compensation.

But the court has yet to rule on their cases.

"More people are coming forward. At least eight more are preparing to file compensation lawsuits," he said.

The court had summoned all involved in the first 47 cases to mediation sessions, Jessada said, but no agreement had been made. More mediation sessions would be held later.

"Each plaintiff has demanded a different amount of compensation. Some of the dead were breadwinners. Their passing affected their families a lot," he said.

And criminal proceedings haven't even started.

Police have pressed charges against seven suspects - most of them Santika Pub executives - but state prosecutors have yet to move.

A public prosecutor said: "We will announce whether anyone will be prosecuted in the Santika Pub case on December 22 [today]."

Pub major shareholder

Visuk Setsawat was one major shareholder charged with recklessness causing death and injury to others, and allowing patrons aged below 20 to visit a night entertainment place.

Most of the other suspects were charged with recklessness causing death and injury to others only. They include Focus Light Sound System Co Ltd, which prepared special effects for the pub's New Year countdown party, and Sarawut Ariya, who performed on stage and set off fireworks indoors.

Police believed the special effects and fireworks started the deadly blaze.

While police recommended seven suspects be prosecuted, Visuk reportedly petitioned public prosecutors for justice. But it remains unclear what arguments he has made.

However, it's clear he failed to ensure the Santika had adequate fire exits and or an adequate fire-safety system.

Despite the tragedy, relevant authorities have been slow to streamline safety laws. There are still no regulations on fire safety systems for entertainment venues.

"The Council of State is reviewing the draft regulation we have drawn up," said Pinij Lert-udomthana, building control chief for the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning.

As present, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials and the Public Works Department have been told to advise operators of entertainment venues what fire-safety systems they should have.

Overall, there's not a lot to reassure people in Bangkok city venues are any safer as another New Year comes around.

-- The Nation 2009/12/22

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[steffi]

If there was true outrage about this there would be a campaign to stay home on New Years Eve this year

[RKASA]

We have a family tradition of being in bed at mid night and starting every new year in the morning feeling great.

[Oberkommando]

There are still no regulations on fire safety systems for entertainment venues.

The message is clear. Go to entertainment venues in Thailand at your peril. Most are death-traps with absolutely no consideration for the safety of patrons whatsoever.

I would be surprised if criminal charges are brought today, Thong Lor Police are the most corrupt nick in the city and they were heavily involved with Santika.

[geriatrickid]

The timing of the article is good. If it keeps a few people out of the firetraps "clubs", then good. Hopefully people will remember the tragedy and not become victims this year.

[PhilHarries]

The plaintiffs have sought more than Bt549 million in compensation.

Million, billion, trillion, godzillion. They'll never see a Baht of it.

Sad, so sad and the worst bit is that it could all happen again this year.

People sneer at health and safety until they, or their loved ones, are injured or worse but nothing will ever happen until people start taking these things seriously every moment of every day. The worst thing with clubs like Santika is that they operate for the young who have a lassex faire (sp?) attitude to safety and, like we all were once, are invincible.

[Bartman]

Will be in Bkk for new years this year. Have not decided on a venue to go to. But will be checking out the fire exits before I start drinking.

My condolences to the families.

[jamesjdaly]

The plaintiffs have sought more than Bt549 million in compensation.

Million, billion, trillion, godzillion. They'll never see a Baht of it.

Sad, so sad and the worst bit is that it could all happen again this year.

People sneer at health and safety until they, or their loved ones, are injured or worse but nothing will ever happen until people start taking these things seriously every moment of every day. The worst thing with clubs like Santika is that they operate for the young who have a lassex faire (sp?) attitude to safety and, like we all were once, are invincible.

laissez-faire

[bellste]

Will be in Bkk for new years this year. Have not decided on a venue to go to. But will be checking out the fire exits before I start drinking.

My condolences to the families.

Start with the emergency exits, in the place you are going to live, before you check in!

Edited December 22, 2009 by bellste

[Chunkton]

Most anywhere in the world the public would be calling for heads to roll over such blatant lack of progress. Thai leaders can infuse the public with anger over Cambodia, but are both are indifferent to having their youth incinerated. Er..mai pen rai.

Sometimes wish I could go back to seeing Thailand through the eyes of a tourist, because after reality dawns there is an awful lot of ugliness and stupidity out there.

[PhilHarries]

laissez-faire

Thanks JD, I could try and claim the 'x' was a typo but that still leaves the missing 'i'.

[caf]

Most anywhere in the world the public would be calling for heads to roll over such blatant lack of progress. Thai leaders can infuse the public with anger over Cambodia, but are both are indifferent to having their youth incinerated. Er..mai pen rai.

Sometimes wish I could go back to seeing Thailand through the eyes of a tourist, because after reality dawns there is an awful lot of ugliness and stupidity out there.

I agree with you.

Chinese leaders take a more serious view if incidents such as these. Thai leadrers have always been more concerned about their power. Hence Cambodia is more important than Thai lives.

[catmac]

To me, the most tragic aspect of this whole affair was the insight it gave into the "above the law" attitude of the hi-so BKK elite. It was their their horrible, spoiled offspring who were running the club.

Imagine this (quite imaginary!) discussion between parent and son.....

"Dad, we're having a load of trouble down at the club, the police keep raiding us and closing us down for all sorts of reasons - no permits, no safety exits and so on. What can we do?"

Now in most Western countries, we could expect good old dad to say "Well son, you're making good money down there, and I know a chap in my Lodge/Club/whatever who does this sort of thing. I'll have a word with him, and get him to check out the club and tell you what needs doing. It'll cost you a few dollars, but when all the work's done, you'll be able to get all your licenses OK and stop worrying."

But in Bangkok, of course, good old dad said "Don't worry, son, I know a bent copper in the Crime Suppression Division. Give him a good cut of the profits - say, a juicy shareholding - and all your problems will end!"

And that is just what the kids did. And a few months later, 66 innocent lives were lost. And guess what, that Colonel in the CSD is still in his job. And if you think that any of the really guilty parties will ever be punished, then you are living in cloud-cuckoo land.

[Johpa]

Chinese leaders take a more serious view if incidents such as these.

Too bad the Thai ruling elite is not willing to grow up. The PRC officials in China are acting with extreme prejudice against corrupt officials whose greed leads to the death of others. They are slowly working to eliminate such corruption, the only thing that slows the anti-corruption campaign in China is that, like in Thailand, the corruption is endemic and so they can not remove everyone all at once.

[caf]

Chinese leaders take a more serious view if incidents such as these.

Too bad the Thai ruling elite is not willing to grow up. The PRC officials in China are acting with extreme prejudice against corrupt officials whose greed leads to the death of others. They are slowly working to eliminate such corruption, the only thing that slows the anti-corruption campaign in China is that, like in Thailand, the corruption is endemic and so they can not remove everyone all at once.

The Thais will never tackle corruption because there is not the will, from the elite anyway, to stop it. The elite won't stop it, the rest can't stop it.

The reaction to this report from The Nation is now a new thread from them listing all the actions that will take place. Except of course that they will not. If people are still talking about Santika in 6 months time a similar report of future action will be rolled out.

Edited December 23, 2009 by caf

[Thai at Heart]

Chinese leaders take a more serious view if incidents such as these.

Too bad the Thai ruling elite is not willing to grow up. The PRC officials in China are acting with extreme prejudice against corrupt officials whose greed leads to the death of others. They are slowly working to eliminate such corruption, the only thing that slows the anti-corruption campaign in China is that, like in Thailand, the corruption is endemic and so they can not remove everyone all at once.

The strange thing to me, is how far can the little guy get pushed in Thailand before he snaps. Despite China being massively corrupt across all levels of government and authority, once in a while, there is a story of even the lowest level of people (farmers usually) rising up and shopping their local government people. There has just been a massive investigation in Chongching that has brought down very senior government and police on a huge scale.

Yet here, no one or no group dares to rise up and fight for fairness. We can put it down to Buddhism, not wanting confrontation etc, but all I know is that when the middle and lower classes feel helpless in a country, and the upper levels are free to run amok, a country is often ripe for some change, be it good or bad. You can fool some of the people some of the time as they say.

[caf]

"when the middle and lower classes feel helpless in a country, and the upper levels are free to run amok"

That is the way it is here but it is a sensitive subject.

[BangkokJazz]

The timing of the article is good. If it keeps a few people out of the firetraps "clubs", then good. Hopefully people will remember the tragedy and not become victims this year.

Amen to that GK. What Thailand needs, really and truly, is a functioning agency like the US has in OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) that inpects working environments for safety issues, and proper government building code inspectors who don't take bribes, and enforce proper safety issues. Unfortately, it never happens to if you want something changed, it makes most sense to squeal loudly, newspapers, tv, anyone who will listen, to get the issue changed or addressed.

[mrtoad]

All the tough talk at the time has so far amounted to nothing. Hopefully they will prosecute the responsible criminals, although more than likely it will be a sacrificial lamb that will take the fall folr this, and the real culprits will still be poncing around in their BMW's and such like.