Four Tourists Reportedly Killed In Phuket Discotheque Fire

[stingray]

Its typical for the LOS. bad wirings create explosions and fire. It happens in Pattaya 3 weeks ago on the Sukhumvit mainroad. Lucky noone get hurt. Strange that those incidents never happen in Europe Tourist destinations, like Mallorca or Ibiza, etc, because we have regulations, laws here and no corruption. It's already in the News in Europe. Amaizing!

Edited August 17, 2012 by stingray

[Semper]

Its typical for the LOS. bad wirings create explosions and fire. It happens in Pattaya 3 weeks ago on the Sukhumvit mainroad. Lucky noone get hurt. Strange that those incidents never happen in Europe Tourist destinations, like Mallorca or Ibiza, etc, because we have regulations, laws here and no corruption. It's already in the News in Europe. Amaizing!

Maybe you should have stayed in Europe?

[Headgame]

Its typical for the LOS. bad wirings create explosions and fire. It happens in Pattaya 3 weeks ago on the Sukhumvit mainroad. Lucky noone get hurt. Strange that those incidents never happen in Europe Tourist destinations, like Mallorca or Ibiza, etc, because we have regulations, laws here and no corruption. It's already in the News in Europe. Amaizing!

Really? You make it sound like this terrible fire in Patong happens because its Thailand.

1998—Gothenburg nightclub fire in Gothenburg, Sweden, killing 63 on October 30

2001—Volendam New Years fire during a New Year party in De Hemel cafè in Volendam, Netherlands killed 14 and injured 200

2002—La Coajira nightclub fire at Caracas, Venezuela, 47 killed on December 1

2003—The Station nightclub fire 96 died at the scene; 4 died from injuries at local hospitals in West Warwick, Rhode Island

2004—República Cromagnon nightclub fire in Buenos Aires kills 194, injures 714[citation needed] on December 30.

2009—Perm Lame Horse Night club fire in Perm, Russia kills 153 people and injures over 140 on December 4.[52][53]

Edited August 17, 2012 by Headgame

[catweazle]

First R.I.P. to the victims and sincerest condolences to the victims' families and friends, quick recovery for the injured...

Unfortunately accidents like this happen all over the world, and let's be honest here - it could have been worse!!!

In my opinion, it does not make a difference if the pub was operating after the official hours, etc. as people did choose to come on their free will to stay and party (or hide from the rain, whatever). I am quite sure that most of the forum members who wasted their time typing that senseless babble about "if they would have closed in time, there would be no deaths, blablabla..." have in their lives been at least at one night venue after official closing hours, just enjoying themselves... Did they shout at the establishment owner, telling them to "close right now, you criminal son of a b..ch!" ??? Most certainly not!

Everyone who boards an airplane or a ship, or a bus, taxi or train knows deep inside that disaster could strike at any given moment. Anyone who enters an enclosed nightlife venue, sports stadium, huge shopping center, ice skating hall, you name it, also - deep inside - knows that disaster could strike here at any given time and day... Survivor stereotypes and people who already have escaped death in similar situations will always look for emergency exits and most likely stay close to entrances and exits, but sometimes you simply don't have a choice and suddenly you find yourself amidst the stampeding masses... Fact is: You are never safe, nowhere and that's permanent! Even if one chooses to never leave the house because the fear of a possible accident outside of his comfort zone scares the $#!t out of him, an airplane could crash right into that building and kiil him instantly while he's watching Oprah or similar crap on TV...

Then, when $#!t hits the fan, everyone shouts "Ah and Oh" and demands stricter laws, more regulations and more thorough checkups. On the other hand, exactly those people are just so happy if an examiner, policeman, official of any kind, etc. lets them get away with murder because they were able to just put up their sweetest smile or had such a very good excuse story to tell.

I really hate this blame game. Get a life and remember: Life is dangerous - full stop.

[stefb1964]

i don't know if anyone's ever been in the new Spicy in CM, but the top floor is terrifying...there are no exits at all. only one narrow stairwell leading to the bottom floor. if a fire to blaze there, everyone would be fkd.

I haven't been there and from what you describe, it's indeed a place to avoid. In the west such locations aren't allowed to open without the approval of the fire department. I know what some of us here keep repeating;TIT.. but what about the respect for all living beings, referring to their Buddhist teachings ?

Do you mean that illegal after-hours night clubs in the West aren't allowed to open without the approval of the fire department, or that there aren't any such clubs in the West?

They simply don't exist in Belgium.

[hawker9000]

Makes me sad to see all the Phuket haters using this terrible event to get rolling again.

...not to mention the Phuket hater haters...

[peter48]

It is deeply sad, shocking even to see the apologists here defending a bad aspect of Thailand which leaves some visitors and Thais dead every year. So called western educated, rational ex-pats are defending situations of unnecessary grim fatalities including deaths of Thai kids on vehicles and motor cycles and dangerous night clubs (66 dead in BKK club 2009) .

Now Please recall last years deaths of 4 tourists ( 3 young Brits) on way to Chang Mai from BKK here's a report from the Guardian in May 2012 following the Inquest on the London youngsters: "

She ( one of the English Mums of the 3 lads killed instantly on the Bus ) said figures suggested there were around 12,000 people killed in accidents each year in Thailand, compared to 3,000 in the UK, and claimed these figures were "massages" to make them less damning.

Ms Melling told the inquest she wanted the foreign office to "take responsibility for their British citizens".

"It would not take much, just a paragraph stating specifically that there's a huge amount of unregulated transport out there," she said.

"I had an idea of every other danger except buses, travelling by road, apart from motorcycles."

Mr Boomgaarden-Cook died of a severe head injury, Mr Melling-Firth died of multiple injuries, and Mr Quashie died of a head injury.

Coroner Dr Harris said: "This has been a harrowing and tragic inquest.

"It's never easy to hear an inquest into the deaths of young people."

He said he would write to the Foreign Office, telling the court: "It does seem to me to be a reasonable and sensible solution to make that I could ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that if they have any evidence of unregulated bus travel that they should give the same warning for bus travel as they do for motorcycles."

PA

[webfact]

Update:

Four killed, 11 others injured in Phuket pub fire

The Nation

The remains of a two-storey building in Phuket housing a discotheque and beer bar after it was gutted in a deadly fire early yesterday.

PHUKET: -- The issues of closing times and the condition of fire exits at night-entertainment venues have returned to the media spotlight after another deadly blaze - this one at a Phuket pub early yesterday that left four people dead and 11 others injured.

Media reports speculated that the Tiger Discotheque was open beyond the legally required closing time of 2am when the fire broke out. However, Thamrongrak Bunrak, a lawyer representing Tiger Group Phuket Co Ltd, which runs the venue, said the pub had closed at the normal time but customers were prevented from leaving by heavy rain.

He said the cause of the fire was an electrical short circuit, after a nearby transformer exploded twice.

"It was an accident. The explosions later caused a power line connected to the Tiger Discotheque building to catch fire, which spread to the building," he said. He added that the front door was the only way out for the patrons because both fire exits by the main stage caught fire.

A senior provincial official, Chaiwat Thayphee, said after visiting the site that an inspection of the building by the local Public Works Office was underway.

"But based on my observation, the building was damaged heavily by the fire, especially on the second floor, which should be rebuilt to assure the safety and confidence [of the public]," he said.

The lawyer's claim was consistent with an earlier notification received by Kathoo police, at around 3.20am, that a transformer located near the Tiger Discotheque exploded, causing fires that later spread to the building.

Quoting witnesses, police said there were up to 200 patrons inside the venue sheltering from heavy rain. The two explosions initially caused a blackout, while the flames spread from the power lines to the pub, police said. "The clients scurried to find ways out, with some of them jumping for their lives from the second floor," a police official said, citing accounts by

witnesses.

Thamrongrak said the company would be responsible for deaths and injuries, but did not specify how. He estimated the damage at around Bt100 million.

A local police investigator, Pol Lt-Colonel Kittisak Noophueng, said the bodies of the four fatalities were burned beyond recognition so it could not be immediately determined whether they were Thai or foreigners. He said more details would be known as friends or relatives of missing persons came forward and assisted with DNA identification.

Nine people, mostly suffering bruises and breathing problems, were discharged from a hospital, while two remained hospitalised: male French national Baygmin Tdanotk, who reportedly suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body, and female Thai national Noodaeng Prangbangkhana, whose condition was not immediately known.

Rescue workers said later that the bodies were found in the centre of the building. Some workers speculated that the four who died might have been drunk.

A survivor, Kanyarat Khanthong, 25, said electrical sparks set fire to decorative items made of foam, sending the clients scurrying for the front door.

She did not mention the two fire exits or their condition.

A number of survivors told reporters that a few clients responded to initial shouted warnings of fire, with most not attempting to escape until the fire had begun to spread.

-- The Nation 2012-08-18

[DP25]

Its typical for the LOS. bad wirings create explosions and fire. It happens in Pattaya 3 weeks ago on the Sukhumvit mainroad. Lucky noone get hurt. Strange that those incidents never happen in Europe Tourist destinations, like Mallorca or Ibiza, etc, because we have regulations, laws here and no corruption. It's already in the News in Europe. Amaizing!

Never happen in Europe eh?

http://en.wikipedia....scothèque_fire

http://en.wikipedia...._New_Years_fire

http://en.wikipedia....Lame_Horse_fire

[asiawatcher]

Few of things I don't understand.

1. 2:00am lightning strikes and 4:00am the fire?

2. Closing (legal) hours were the time of the lightning - excuse of a 'packed' bar at 4:00am was it was raining - but many photos and footage of the fire fighters show it is not raining and includes the fire being fought in the dark (at whatever time)

3. Lawyer on site making claims immediately as to insurance, compensation - he cannot answer for an insurance company - who most likely will deny the claim as they were still occupied outside of their mandate thus can strike the claim due to the fact they should not have been on the premises - usually referred to as plausible denial.

4. Where are 'any' photos of the dastardly transformer - the apparent blamed item of the tragedy?

PS - electrical wiring under Thai law has to be done by a licensed electrician from street to building. Once attached to the building, the internal can be done by anyone. And there are no Earth's on any wiring in any building I have seen in Thailand, an absolute recipe for disaster.

[Sharp]

First R.I.P. to the victims and sincerest condolences to the victims' families and friends, quick recovery for the injured...

Unfortunately accidents like this happen all over the world, and let's be honest here - it could have been worse!!!

In my opinion, it does not make a difference if the pub was operating after the official hours, etc. as people did choose to come on their free will to stay and party (or hide from the rain, whatever). I am quite sure that most of the forum members who wasted their time typing that senseless babble about "if they would have closed in time, there would be no deaths, blablabla..." have in their lives been at least at one night venue after official closing hours, just enjoying themselves... Did they shout at the establishment owner, telling them to "close right now, you criminal son of a b..ch!" ??? Most certainly not!

Everyone who boards an airplane or a ship, or a bus, taxi or train knows deep inside that disaster could strike at any given moment. Anyone who enters an enclosed nightlife venue, sports stadium, huge shopping center, ice skating hall, you name it, also - deep inside - knows that disaster could strike here at any given time and day... Survivor stereotypes and people who already have escaped death in similar situations will always look for emergency exits and most likely stay close to entrances and exits, but sometimes you simply don't have a choice and suddenly you find yourself amidst the stampeding masses... Fact is: You are never safe, nowhere and that's permanent! Even if one chooses to never leave the house because the fear of a possible accident outside of his comfort zone scares the $#!t out of him, an airplane could crash right into that building and kiil him instantly while he's watching Oprah or similar crap on TV...

Then, when $#!t hits the fan, everyone shouts "Ah and Oh" and demands stricter laws, more regulations and more thorough checkups. On the other hand, exactly those people are just so happy if an examiner, policeman, official of any kind, etc. lets them get away with murder because they were able to just put up their sweetest smile or had such a very good excuse story to tell.

I really hate this blame game. Get a life and remember: Life is dangerous - full stop.

Spot on and logical thinking quite refreshing .....

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[Valentine]

This from the latest Nation report " Some workers speculated that the four who died might have been drunk."

A great example of the totally ridiculous journalism one now expects here. A truly tragic incident & they are quoting speculations. Yes it is quite possible they were drunk, they were in a place that serves alcohol, but the statement has absolutely no bearing on the tragedy.

[aechzen]

mai pen rai !!! everybody knows , the electric instalation are no save in thailand !! if you visit thailand ,its same you play russian roulette !!! this makes thailand so interest !!! its pure adventures, may the last one !!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited August 18, 2012 by aechzen

[dcutman]

Its typical for the LOS. bad wirings create explosions and fire. It happens in Pattaya 3 weeks ago on the Sukhumvit mainroad. Lucky noone get hurt. Strange that those incidents never happen in Europe Tourist destinations, like Mallorca or Ibiza, etc, because we have regulations, laws here and no corruption. It's already in the News in Europe. Amaizing!

Really? You make it sound like this terrible fire in Patong happens because its Thailand.

1998—Gothenburg nightclub fire in Gothenburg, Sweden, killing 63 on October 30

2001—Volendam New Years fire during a New Year party in De Hemel cafè in Volendam, Netherlands killed 14 and injured 200

2002—La Coajira nightclub fire at Caracas, Venezuela, 47 killed on December 1

2003—The Station nightclub fire 96 died at the scene; 4 died from injuries at local hospitals in West Warwick, Rhode Island

2004—República Cromagnon nightclub fire in Buenos Aires kills 194, injures 714[citation needed] on December 30.

2009—Perm Lame Horse Night club fire in Perm, Russia kills 153 people and injures over 140 on December 4.[52][53]

It is obvious these deadly fires happen everywhere, 3rd world and developed nations alike. These fires happen and so many people get killed because of sheer ignorance and stupidity. Almost every one of these deadly fires has one thing in common. It is the materials used to decorate these places. Flammable materials should never be used for decorating the inside of a building, so ignorance and stupidity should not excuse anybody from prosecution, and that "you take your chances and you make your choices in 3rd world countries" is BS. Owners of these places need to use common sense and if they fail to they need to go to jail.

[Payboy]

Some workers speculated that the four who died might have been drunk.

The victims are to blame - <deleted>?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Since when has a rain storm ever prevented Thais from going outside in the rain, or for that matter, a business closing and requiring customers to go home, rain or not.

It seems as though the rain excuse has been pulled up as a convenient cover for the obvious problems here.

[paulbrun]

A lightning strike seems to be the latest way of averting attention from the truth..? An recent oil tanker fire in Malaysia was explained the same way..!

[hansgruber]

Since when has a rain storm ever prevented Thais from going outside in the rain, or for that matter, a business closing and requiring customers to go home, rain or not.

It seems as though the rain excuse has been pulled up as a convenient cover for the obvious problems here.

Haven't seen one cop or politician condemning being open past the 2am curfew.

This will get swept under the rug and a little compensation will be paid.

A days takings most likely.

[chrissables]

If the dam_n placed closed when it suppose to nobody would have died, no one. That's why it's important to say this.

Sure, and if the tourists did not come to Thailand and that bar, they would not not have died. Easy answer, all stay at home! What a interesting way of looking at it you have.

+1

--5

The fact is maybe rescue could have been there quicker if they were within normal operating hours. Facts are facts. This could have been avoided if they followed the law. No one is ever held responsible down there for what would be considered criminal in many other places. The joint was packed. The police and owners need to be held responsible in a criminal manner. They broke the law simple as that.

The fact is, you are talking rubbish!

[brewsterbudgen]

Its typical for the LOS. bad wirings create explosions and fire. It happens in Pattaya 3 weeks ago on the Sukhumvit mainroad. Lucky noone get hurt. Strange that those incidents never happen in Europe Tourist destinations, like Mallorca or Ibiza, etc, because we have regulations, laws here and no corruption. It's already in the News in Europe. Amaizing!

Never happen in Europe eh?

http://en.wikipedia....scothèque_fire

http://en.wikipedia...._New_Years_fire

http://en.wikipedia....Lame_Horse_fire

From a number of posts on this thread, you'd think this sort of tragedy only happens in Thailand!

Edited August 18, 2012 by Rimmer
no need for that sentance

[Greer]

.....It does not happen in all other Asian countries....

Peter you know very well that this sort of thing happens in ALL other Asian countries. Maybe not so much in Singapore or perhaps Macau (although I am not really sure about the latter), but Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and even Hong Kong have their fair share of dangerous places and practices that endanger tourists and locals alike. I can well imagine that Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar are very similar to here, as certainly is India...

[KarstenBoAndersen]

Dancing anf drinking inside a styrofoam box can not be healthy !!

[TomTao]

Very sad, RIP the dead, spent some time around there when some of my mates from our time in the navy came over a couple of months ago, never went up stairs, didn't feel comfortable doing so.

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 1 Japanese & 1 French died in the Tiger Pub fire according to Matichon. Also a Thai staff member. 4th body unknown.

[GiantFan]

The "sheltering from the rain" comment doesn't make much sense. Underneath the disco, at street level, are about 20 open air bar beers. Would have been easier to shelter here. But these bars usually close at 2AM.

[steelepulse]

IMO, the Tiger Group is untouchable in Patong. When the crackdown occurred in March, the Phuket Gazette ran this story;

Agreed. The principals will not get arrested ( at least for anything serious, although perhaps a minor fire law violation), there will be some sort of token payout, and everything will be back to status quo come high season. These guys have deep pockets and a lot of influential friends.

RIP to the deceased who were only trying to have a good time on a night out.

I need to amend my statement judging by what the Tiger groups lawyer/spokesperson said in regards to it being an accident. Now I don't see anyone being charged for anything, although all of the above still stands.

[softgeorge]

IMO, the Tiger Group is untouchable in Patong. When the crackdown occurred in March, the Phuket Gazette ran this story;

Agreed. The principals will not get arrested ( at least for anything serious, although perhaps a minor fire law violation), there will be some sort of token payout, and everything will be back to status quo come high season. These guys have deep pockets and a lot of influential friends.

RIP to the deceased who were only trying to have a good time on a night out.

I need to amend my statement judging by what the Tiger groups lawyer/spokesperson said in regards to it being an accident. Now I don't see anyone being charged for anything, although all of the above still stands.

Of course the owners lawyer would say it was an accident, he is being paid very well to try and deflect blame and following client instructions. I am not saying it was an accident or it wasn't, just saying that the lawyers comment is to be expected.

Edited August 18, 2012 by softgeorge

[stefb1964]

Will they ever learn something ?

Locked emergency exits, no fire detection alarm, no sprinklers..

Remember these ones ? Feel free to update the list :

Bangkok : Santika hotel - 31 December 2008 - 64 people died and more than 240 others got injured....

Pattaya : Route 999 - May 2006 - 10 people died and about 50 others got injured....

Jomtien : Royal Jomtien Resort - July 1997 - 78 people died....

Nakhon Pathom : Kader Toy - May 1993 - 188 people died and more than 500 others got injured...

[webfact]

Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority official asserts electrical transformers not linked to fire at Tiger Discotheque; they were undamaged /MCOT

[zziffle]

The issue of staying open after official closing time is a red herring. Yes, if the place shut down at 2:00 then a fire at 4:00 would be in an empty building. It doesn't follow that enforcing or adjusting closing times is the way to prevent future similar disasters. An equally powerful argument for 8:00pm closing times could be made if the next fire occurs at 9:00pm. "If we had 8:00pm closing times all these people would still be alive today!!!"

The cause and solution of these disasters can usually be found by addressing safety standards, not closing times. It seems the two leading theories on this fire is that it started from either an exploding transformer or a new lighting rig. In either case, it's an electrical standards problem. Transformers explode. I've experienced 4 separate occasions where this has occurred near me. That's why you don't put them right beside flammable structures. They properly belong high on a free standing pole away from trees and buildings so there's nothing to catch when they go bang. A lighting rig that catches fire similarly has clearly failed safety and quality standards. If you want safer venues, go for enforcing inflammable construction materials, well lit and accessible emergency exits, top quality electrical standards inside and out, maximum capacity limits, etc. The solution is not to keep fire-trap buildings empty for more hours of the day to decrease the probability of people being present when it burns.

We should also be careful as to what we wish for. People flock to Thailand in part because of the cheap prices, the enjoyment that comes from playing in a somewhat chaotic environment, and a general sense of freedom. This stuff goes away in a nanny state. I for one prefer the chaos and increased risk here to the sterility and relative boredom of a perfectly constructed environment mandated and certified by authorities who think its their calling to make sure we are all 100% safe from all the big bad scary things in this world.

This will be the last fire until the next one. Shit happens. Don't forget to keep your brain engaged when partying in an under-developed country.