Four Tourists Reportedly Killed In Phuket Discotheque Fire

Tompa · August 17, 2012

another one,

Thai at Heart · August 17, 2012

Tiger fire ‘sounded like a bomb’, report staff

Phuket Gazette

A woman waits beside a friend's bed at Patong Hospital as the victim recovers from the Tiger Disco fire early this morning. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Thamrongsak Boonrak, Legal Counsel for Tiger Discotheque, said compensation will be paid in full. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Staff at the Tiger Discotheque in Patong initially thought the sound of an exploding transformer was a bomb, which caused people to panic and stampede towards the door when fire broke out at the Phuket venue early this morning. Four people were killed and at least 12 others injured, according to officials.

Thamrongsak Boonrak, Legal Counsel for Tiger Discotheque, told the Phuket Gazette this morning: “The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but I have been told that lightning struck a transformer. The power shut down and came back on three times before staff heard an explosion. At first they thought it was a bomb."

“People panicked and ran. Then a fire broke out and people started choking on the smoke. People stampeded for the exits, trampling one another as they ran for the doors,” he said.

“Our staff tried to fight the fire with more than 30 extinguishers. If they hadn't fought the fire, there would have been many more people injured. They stayed as long as they could to fight the fire, but in the end they had to leave the building,” he added.

Mr Thamrongsak assured that the club owners will compensate victims caught in the fire, as well as their families.

“The club is insured. Compensation will be paid in full for the people who were injured and the families of the those who died in this tragedy."

“We are not going to deny any responsibility. We will not let this affect Thailand’s reputation as a tourism destination. We have already arranged to cover medical expenses at the hospital,” he said.

Mr Thamrongsak said he was not sure of the total cost of property damage at this stage.

As legal counsel for the Tiger Group of entertainment companies that operate in Patong, Mr Thamrongsak added that the nightclub building complied with all building regulations.

“It is fully legal,” he said.

However, he added, “I don’t think the building can be used anymore. We will have to talk to the owner, as we rent the premises."

“I will talk with Patong Municipality. If they say the building must be pulled down, we will ask the owner to do it. We would not risk public safety by re-opening [the club] in a building with structural damage by fire."

Asked why patrons were still inside the nightclub at 4am, Mr Thamrongsak replied, “Heavy rain started to fall at about 1am, the time we usually close. That’s why people did not want to leave the club.

“It was still packed when the fire broke out [at 4am],” he said.

For more photos of the fire and the rescue effort, click here.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/articles/2012/Tiger-fire-sounded-like-a-bomb-report-staff-16688.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-08-17

Act of God insurance. Interesting.

Fozfromoz · August 17, 2012

Has anyone seen any pictures of the electrical transformer that was "hit" by lightning?

metice · August 17, 2012

Asked why patrons were still inside the nightclub at 4am, Mr Thamrongsak replied, “Heavy rain started to fall at about 1am, the time we usually close. That’s why people did not want to leave the club.

“It was still packed when the fire broke out [at 4am],” he said.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...taff-16688.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-08-17

How generous of them to stay open an extra 3 hours so that people didn't have to get wet.

SuneeTH · August 17, 2012

“It was still packed when the fire broke out [at 4am],” he said.

Must be a typo. The law say close at 2am.

JulesMad · August 17, 2012

"There are four confirmed dead. We believe they are foreign tourists but it's not yet confirmed," Phuket deputy governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told AFP by telephone.

"The four dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition. We cannot identify even their gender."

Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were among the dead, while scores of foreigners including some from Australia, France and Britain were injured.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-08-17

Very suspicious that 3 Singaporeans, 1 Japanese and 1 Myanmar national makes 4 dead bodies..... Besides the obvious, these people were among the dead, meaning there are more people dead....

Likewise, they can not identify the gender, but they can identify the nationality.....(and they believe they are foreign tourists)

I think they need a crash course in CSI

HINT: do not believe everything (or is it "anything") you read...

softgeorge · August 17, 2012

Mr Thamrongsak assured that the club owners will compensate victims caught in the fire, as well as their families.

“The club is insured. Compensation will be paid in full for the people who were injured and the families of the those who died in this tragedy."

Is there any fine prints that states; "Excluding Farangs"

firestar · August 17, 2012

“It was still packed when the fire broke out [at 4am],” he said.

Must be a typo. The law say close at 2am.

The law says stop serving at 2am people can stay inside though. (of course it probably isn't what happened but that's what they will argue)

Lite Beer · August 17, 2012

Tiger disco fire: Police to call in forensics experts from Bangkok

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket Forensics Police arrive at the scene this morning. Experts from Bangkok will join the investigation into the cause of the fire at Tiger Disco, which killed four people. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: Forensics experts from Bangkok will be called in to assist Phuket officers in their investigation into what caused the deadly inferno at Tiger Discotheque on Patong’s Soi Bangla early this morning.

The blaze, which claimed the lives of four people, may have started as a result of an electrical fault inside the building.

Events inside the nightclub seem to have followed the “power-up” of the main electricity transformer outside the building, which had exploded earlier plunging the whole area into darkness.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Chonasit Wattanavrangkul told the Phuket Gazette this morning that he is focusing the investigation on two main areas of concern.

Firstly, the exact cause of the fire which is currently thought to be an electrical fault; and secondly, were modifications to extend the building legally approved and carried out according to building regulations.

“We are now in the process of trying to identify the four people who perished in the fire. We are expecting the arrival of a forensics team from Bangkok today to assist us in this task.” Maj Gen Chonasit said.

Kanyaporn Kantong , 25, from Sisaket province in Northeastern Thailand, told reporters that she was with three friends in the nightclub when the fire broke out.

“We were sitting at a table drinking when someone shouted ‘Fire! Fire!’. Nobody moved as we didn’t believe it.

“Then we saw sparks and smoke coming from the area behind the bar counter followed by lights falling from the ceiling… Then we ran for the exit.

“Although I made it to the exit, I couldn’t get out as so many people, who were also trying to escape, were jammed together."

It was at that point that Ms Kanyaporn realized her shirt was on fire. Luckily she was saved from burns by a mystery foreigner who put out the flames.

“I didn’t get burned but in the panic someone pushed me down the stairs. I fell injuring my foot,” she said.

Thamrongsak Boonrak, legal counsel for the Tiger Group of entertainment businesses in Patong, told the Gazette that all victims of the fire will be fully compensated.

“The company will cover the medical expenses of those who are injured. We will also look into some form of compensation concerning those who died.

“This is a most regrettable accident, the cost of which could run into hundreds of millions of baht,” Mr Thamrongsak said.

“Whether or not the building can be salvaged we will have to let the experts decide. We will go with any decision they make,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16689.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-08-17

Soupdragon · August 17, 2012

"There are four confirmed dead. We believe they are foreign tourists but it's not yet confirmed," Phuket deputy governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told AFP by telephone.

"The four dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition. We cannot identify even their gender."

Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were among the dead, while scores of foreigners including some from Australia, France and Britain were injured.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-08-17

Very suspicious that 3 Singaporeans, 1 Japanese and 1 Myanmar national makes 4 dead bodies..... Besides the obvious, these people were among the dead, meaning there are more people dead....

Likewise, they can not identify the gender, but they can identify the nationality.....(and they believe they are foreign tourists)

I think they need a crash course in CSI

HINT: do not believe everything (or is it "anything") you read...

If you bother to read the article rather than jump to misguided conclusions you would see that those figures refer to the Santika fire in Bangkok.

softgeorge · August 17, 2012

"There are four confirmed dead. We believe they are foreign tourists but it's not yet confirmed," Phuket deputy governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told AFP by telephone.

"The four dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition. We cannot identify even their gender."

Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were among the dead, while scores of foreigners including some from Australia, France and Britain were injured.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-08-17

Very suspicious that 3 Singaporeans, 1 Japanese and 1 Myanmar national makes 4 dead bodies..... Besides the obvious, these people were among the dead, meaning there are more people dead....

Likewise, they can not identify the gender, but they can identify the nationality.....(and they believe they are foreign tourists)

I think they need a crash course in CSI

HINT: do not believe everything (or is it "anything") you read...

Have you ever known Thailand to include anyone from Myamar in any stats. Basically what they are saying is 4 victims and a person from Myamar.

Soupdragon · August 17, 2012

"There are four confirmed dead. We believe they are foreign tourists but it's not yet confirmed," Phuket deputy governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told AFP by telephone.

"The four dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition. We cannot identify even their gender."

Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were among the dead, while scores of foreigners including some from Australia, France and Britain were injured.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-08-17

Very suspicious that 3 Singaporeans, 1 Japanese and 1 Myanmar national makes 4 dead bodies..... Besides the obvious, these people were among the dead, meaning there are more people dead....

Likewise, they can not identify the gender, but they can identify the nationality.....(and they believe they are foreign tourists)

I think they need a crash course in CSI

HINT: do not believe everything (or is it "anything") you read...

Have you ever known Thailand to include anyone from Myamar in any stats. Basically what they are saying is 4 victims and a person from Myamar.

Those figures are for the Santika fire in Bangkok not Phuket. Edited August 17, 2012 by Soupdragon

whimsy · August 17, 2012

HINT: do not believe everything (or is it "anything") you read...

In your case that is probably a good idea.

peter48 · August 17, 2012

Its now global UK Guardian site says " "It was probably due to the strong rainfall, which caused a transformer to explode. The fire then spread to the pub, causing significant damage," a police officer in Kratu district told Reuters by phone. Moreover the paper says " Lax safety standards are a problem." Indeed Thailand is negligent and do not give me rubbish about poverty etc., Thailand has plenty of money to spend on many things but needs to get its act together especially as Tourism is one of its major income sources. A country which allows crazy speeding mini-buses, babies on motor bikes, poor electrical standards - is not for civilised tourists.

Jimi007 · August 17, 2012

Tiger disco fire: Police to call in forensics experts from Bangkok

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket Forensics Police arrive at the scene this morning. Experts from Bangkok will join the investigation into the cause of the fire at Tiger Disco, which killed four people. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: Forensics experts from Bangkok will be called in to assist Phuket officers in their investigation into what caused the deadly inferno at Tiger Discotheque on Patong’s Soi Bangla early this morning.

The blaze, which claimed the lives of four people, may have started as a result of an electrical fault inside the building.

Events inside the nightclub seem to have followed the “power-up” of the main electricity transformer outside the building, which had exploded earlier plunging the whole area into darkness.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Chonasit Wattanavrangkul told the Phuket Gazette this morning that he is focusing the investigation on two main areas of concern.

Firstly, the exact cause of the fire which is currently thought to be an electrical fault; and secondly, were modifications to extend the building legally approved and carried out according to building regulations.

<snip>

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16689.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-08-17

The news keeps getting stranger. First it was said it was a lightening strike, now it's reported: "Events inside the nightclub seem to have followed the “power-up” of the main electricity transformer outside the building, which had exploded earlier plunging the whole area into darkness." If the transformer exploded earlier, why would it be powered up?

masterbiker49 · August 17, 2012

PHUKET FIRE

Fire at Phuket discotheque killed at least four Friday

The Nation

PHUKET: -- A blaze at a popular Phuket discotheque in Patong early Friday morning reportedly killed four tourists and injured many others.

Phuket Wan online reported the fire that broke out at 3.55am, almost two hours after all bars and other venues in Patong are supposed to close, killed at least four people.

The injured people were sent to Patong Hospital for treatment.

Firefighters spent about an hour before managing to extinguish the fire at the entertainment venue which is in Katu district.

After that forensic police went in to the fire scene a short time ago, to check the cause of the blaze. It is believed the bodies are still inside, the online reported.

At Patong Hospital, authorities were unable to pinpoint precisely how many injured had been caught by the fire, but a nurse did say that one man was critically burned and in danger.

The online added Patong is currently in the middle of an election campaign for mayor.

-- The Nation 2012-08-17

To the dead,RIP & condolances to injured & thier families.

Phuket & Thailand Strike again against Tourists,when will they ever learn.

Jimi007 · August 17, 2012

Its now global UK Guardian site says " "It was probably due to the strong rainfall, which caused a transformer to explode. The fire then spread to the pub, causing significant damage," a police officer in Kratu district told Reuters by phone. Moreover the paper says " Lax safety standards are a problem." Indeed Thailand is negligent and do not give me rubbish about poverty etc., Thailand has plenty of money to spend on many things but needs to get its act together especially as Tourism is one of its major income sources. A country which allows crazy speeding mini-buses, babies on motor bikes, poor electrical standards - is not for civilised tourists.

Interesting that Patong had "heavy rain." I live a bit over 20 KM away and I had 1.5 CM of rain over night. There of course could have been a local thunderstorm there I suppose.

Paangjang · August 17, 2012

"There are four confirmed dead. We believe they are foreign tourists but it's not yet confirmed," Phuket deputy governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told AFP by telephone.

"The four dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition. We cannot identify even their gender."

Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were among the dead, while scores of foreigners including some from Australia, France and Britain were injured.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-08-17

Very suspicious that 3 Singaporeans, 1 Japanese and 1 Myanmar national makes 4 dead bodies..... Besides the obvious, these people were among the dead, meaning there are more people dead....

Likewise, they can not identify the gender, but they can identify the nationality.....(and they believe they are foreign tourists)

I think they need a crash course in CSI

HINT: do not believe everything (or is it "anything") you read...

If you bother to read the article rather than jump to misguided conclusions you would see that those figures refer to the Santika fire in Bangkok.

Lite Beer · August 17, 2012

RT@191Thailand: Fire appeared to start from a new lighting rig which exploded. The rig was removed almost as soon as the fire was extinguished (Phuket News)

webfact · August 17, 2012

TIGER PUB FIRE

Police still try to identify Phuket fire victims

The Nation

PHUKET: -- Police on Friday called on Phuket hotel and bungalow operations to provide information on any missing guests to help identify victims at the discotheque fire in Phuket.

Deutsche Presse Agentur quoted Phuket police chief Maj Gen Chainasit Wattanawalangkul as saying it was believed three of the dead were foreigners and one was Thai.

But he was waiting for autopsy to confirm the victims whose bodies were badly burnt.

A fire went off on the second floor of the popular Tiger Discotheque Bar on Pathong Beach at 4.40am and was brought undercontrol by 6 am.

Pathong Hospital spokeswoman Donraya Buklarak said,"We can’t identify the dead because the bodies were badly burned. We will have tosend them to Bangkok for an autopsy."

District police Colonel Jiraphat Fuchanaphan said, "We think the fire was caused by an explosion of an electricity transformer near the club."

Pathong and much of Phuket experienced frequent blackouts Friday morning because of heavy rains, putting a strain on the electricity system.

Eleven people were admitted to the hospital, of whom two were listed in critical condition, one French national identified as Benjamin Tallanotte, 30, and a Thai woman.

The nine others, including three French citizens, were allowed to leave hospital after receiving treatment for minor burns.

It was unclear why the nightclub was still operating after thelegal closing time of 1 am.

"We had stopped services at the club, but there were still peoplethere sitting around drinking," Tiger Disco Bar manager ThamrongsakBoonlak said.

He said the club would pay full compensation for all victims ofthe fire.

The Tiger Disco Bar is one of the biggest nightclubs on Phuket,which is located 700 kilometres south-west of Bangkok. It has a dancefloor on the second floor and several bars on the ground floor.

-- The Nation 2012-08-17

nosatisfaction · August 17, 2012

Thai Rath said the fire broke out at 4:40 am on the second floor of the pub, which is a discotheque. The place was still full with Thai and foreign tourists when the blaze broke out.

hhhmmmm I am wondering? 04:40 AM. Phuket seems to have special operating hours. ;-O

But what ever and who who cares.

Carelessness cost other lives and the barmen has to go to jail!

don't you know any places open that time in BKK ? i can advise

silsburyhill · August 17, 2012

Its now global UK Guardian site says " "It was probably due to the strong rainfall, which caused a transformer to explode. The fire then spread to the pub, causing significant damage," a police officer in Kratu district told Reuters by phone. Moreover the paper says " Lax safety standards are a problem." Indeed Thailand is negligent and do not give me rubbish about poverty etc., Thailand has plenty of money to spend on many things but needs to get its act together especially as Tourism is one of its major income sources. A country which allows crazy speeding mini-buses, babies on motor bikes, poor electrical standards - is not for civilised tourists.

And your definition of 'civilised tourists' is ... ?

nosatisfaction · August 17, 2012

Thai Rath said the fire broke out at 4:40 am on the second floor of the pub, which is a discotheque. The place was still full with Thai and foreign tourists when the blaze broke out.

hhhmmmm I am wondering? 04:40 AM. Phuket seems to have special operating hours. ;-O

But what ever and who who cares.

Carelessness cost other lives and the barmen has to go to jail!

Lightning is carelessness? Bartender going to jail? What planet do you live on?

I don't see what bartenders got to do with it, I also was in Santika when the fire broke out, experience : always stay close to exit , anywhere in the world , not only Thailand

yougivemebaby · August 17, 2012

Its now global UK Guardian site says " "It was probably due to the strong rainfall, which caused a transformer to explode. The fire then spread to the pub, causing significant damage," a police officer in Kratu district told Reuters by phone. Moreover the paper says " Lax safety standards are a problem." Indeed Thailand is negligent and do not give me rubbish about poverty etc., Thailand has plenty of money to spend on many things but needs to get its act together especially as Tourism is one of its major income sources. A country which allows crazy speeding mini-buses, babies on motor bikes, poor electrical standards - is not for civilised tourists.

With all the money being spent there why can't there be qualified inspectors who are held responsible for this type of $hit. The kid in Phuket on Bangla not long ago rings a bell too. Seriously I don't think these problems should ever be an issue. They have the technology and money to keep people safe but it's not being done. Didn't they have sprinklers on the inside.? <deleted>? Something as basic as sprinklers should be mandatory!.

RIP to whoever they were. Thai or Farang.

silsburyhill · August 17, 2012

TIGER PUB FIRE

Police still try to identify Phuket fire victims

The Nation

PHUKET: -- Police on Friday called on Phuket hotel and bungalow operations to provide information on any missing guests to help identify victims at the discotheque fire in Phuket.

Deutsche Presse Agentur quoted Phuket police chief Maj Gen Chainasit Wattanawalangkul as saying it was believed three of the dead were foreigners and one was Thai.

But he was waiting for autopsy to confirm the victims whose bodies were badly burnt.

A fire went off on the second floor of the popular Tiger Discotheque Bar on Pathong Beach at 4.40am and was brought undercontrol by 6 am.

Pathong Hospital spokeswoman Donraya Buklarak said,"We can’t identify the dead because the bodies were badly burned. We will have tosend them to Bangkok for an autopsy."

District police Colonel Jiraphat Fuchanaphan said, "We think the fire was caused by an explosion of an electricity transformer near the club."

Pathong and much of Phuket experienced frequent blackouts Friday morning because of heavy rains, putting a strain on the electricity system.

Eleven people were admitted to the hospital, of whom two were listed in critical condition, one French national identified as Benjamin Tallanotte, 30, and a Thai woman.

The nine others, including three French citizens, were allowed to leave hospital after receiving treatment for minor burns.

It was unclear why the nightclub was still operating after thelegal closing time of 1 am.

"We had stopped services at the club, but there were still peoplethere sitting around drinking," Tiger Disco Bar manager ThamrongsakBoonlak said.

He said the club would pay full compensation for all victims ofthe fire.

The Tiger Disco Bar is one of the biggest nightclubs on Phuket,which is located 700 kilometres south-west of Bangkok. It has a dancefloor on the second floor and several bars on the ground floor.

-- The Nation 2012-08-17

This 1am closing is stupid ridiculous in a place like central Patong and downtown bkk come to that. And no, there are many tourists unaware of the open untill we're partied out TOURIST areas, Patpong's an embarrassment, in more ways than one. Outlying neighbourhoods, yes, we were happy when the sodding catterwalling karaokes were forced to close at 2 am in the residential area of Chalong. But Patong?

yougivemebaby · August 17, 2012

Thai Rath said the fire broke out at 4:40 am on the second floor of the pub, which is a discotheque. The place was still full with Thai and foreign tourists when the blaze broke out.

hhhmmmm I am wondering? 04:40 AM. Phuket seems to have special operating hours. ;-O

But what ever and who who cares.

Carelessness cost other lives and the barmen has to go to jail!

1000% agree. Nobody knows nothing after it happens. Police and bar owners should be held criminally responsible for these people dying. The bar owner says he will compensate the victims. BS. He needs to go to jail! If they weren't in there after closing hours this would not have happened. The Phuket police should also go to jail. !

Nowhereman60 · August 17, 2012

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.

KarstenBoAndersen · August 17, 2012

Just think about the materials used to build it !!!!

Foam in big loads, it is toxic when burned, so 4 dead is lucky for them !!

These foams are not allowed to use in Europe unlesws they are between 2 fireproof layers of material, as concrete etc.

Tiger was nearly buil up by it !

eezergood · August 17, 2012

...so you are all buying this "lighting strike" excuse then?

NO WAY - As i mentioned earlier, they were installing/reapiring this sign only this week

chrissables · August 17, 2012

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.

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