PUB FIRE

Measures to prevent repeat of Santika tragedy

By Jeerawan Prasomsap,

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation

Published on December 23, 2009

In a bid to prevent the repeat of a tragedy like last year's Santika Pub inferno, the Metropolitan Police Bureau has banned the use of fireworks or similar special effects indoors during the upcoming festive season.

"We have already informed all entertainment venues of the ban," Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Santhan Chayanont said yesterday.

Special effects and fireworks were blamed for the inferno that killed 66 and injured hundreds of partygoers at the Santika Pub's 2009 countdown celebrations. Some of the survivors are still hospitalised.

To stop such a disaster from recurring, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has instructed all 50 Bangkok district offices to closely inspect every entertainment venue ahead of the New Year festivities.

"The district offices have already ordered 176 of 808 Bangkok entertainment venues to shutdown though some can resume operations provided they make necessary improvements. However, many others will have to close down permanently because they have seriously violated the Building Control Act," the governor said.

In addition, 513 other entertainment venues have also been instructed to clearly display their fire exits.

The Office of Public-Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has also vowed to take action against officials who allow venues that violate the law to continue operating.

"We have found that some of these closed entertainment venues are in operation again, so we need to dig deep and find out why. If any senior official is found negligent, he or she will be punished. We will refer the case to the Office of Anti-Corruption Commission," PACC secretary-general Pinyo Thongchai said.

Meanwhile, public prosecutors yesterday cited conflicting witness accounts and inconclusive findings as the reason for postponing their prosecution order for the Santika Pub case. The decision on who should be prosecuted for the casualties should be issued on January 22. Initially public prosecutors were expected to announce the decision yesterday.

Rakop Kosiyanond, a public prosecutor at the Criminal Court of Southern Bangkok, yesterday explained that the decision was postponed because the investigation report provided by police was incomplete.

"We have ordered the Thong Lor Police Station to get additional testimonies," Rakop said.

Police have recommended that seven individuals and companies be prosecuted for the Santika Pub inferno. All of them were charged with recklessness causing deaths and injuries to others.

The pub's major shareholder Wisut Setsawat and operator Suriya Ritrabeu are also facing charges of allowing patrons aged below 20 to visit the venue.

-- The Nation 2009/12/23

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Is there really any point in reporting something that is just not going to happen. Actions not words are needed.

This is absolute nonsense................there will be no 'inspectors'.............get serious...........this is just another way to cover the rears of those in positions of authority...get real.....Reaping the rwards by packing those 'entertainment' venues to the brim will be the highest priority............nothing else comes close.........

We still mourn for the victims of Santika despite the fact that there has, to date, been no justice..........just a blame game.

RIP

Recklessness? What idiots - this will end up in a cover up same as the top cop in Toxins Govt whose son iced a good cop in a disco in New Petchaburi Road. 200 witnesses and even when he ran, swapped the number plates on the Mercedes, and finally was caught down South - no prosecution took place. And they put an Aussie drunk woman in jail for knocking off a bar mat!

Makes sense ...

Recklessness? What idiots - this will end up in a cover up same as the top cop in Toxins Govt whose son iced a good cop in a disco in New Petchaburi Road. 200 witnesses and even when he ran, swapped the number plates on the Mercedes, and finally was caught down South - no prosecution took place. And they put an Aussie drunk woman in jail for knocking off a bar mat!

Makes sense ...

Oh yeah - and I would be laughing if it wasn't so sad that the Thai's don't see this as a problem. As is often said, put a broom through the top and start again - but somehow this country just keeps on keeping on. That's why we are all here - loaded dice and we still play the odds. That's the challenge...