Phuket Governor calls off SuperCheap fire site search, announces no deaths

[webfact]

Phuket Governor calls off SuperCheap fire site search, announces no deaths
Phuket Gazette


The on-site search for victims and clues of what started the SuperCheap inferno was called to an end today. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut today buried rumors that people had died in the SuperCheap inferno last Wednesday night as he laid to rest the on-site investigation.

No proof of any fatalities were recorded or announced.

“I received the report form the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket office [DDPM-Phuket] concerning the SuperCheap fire. I am pleased to announce that all missing people have been accounted for and that not a single life was lost in the flames,” Governor Maitri said.

“All those involved in the rescue efforts and post-disaster work deserve a round of applause – everything was handled very well,” he said (story here).

Gov Maitri appointed himself the single source for information regarding any alleged deaths in the incident.

He has been backed by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Ong-art Phiwruangnont, who warned that anyone spreading false rumors about deaths in the incident could face swift police action.

The DDPM-Phuket report was filed directly to Governor Maitri.

“All of the missing people were found,” Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karachedi said, echoing Gov Maitri’s statement.

Anong Khunpetthongrat, the mother of a missing 18-year-old cashier who worked for SuperCheap, confirmed to the Phuket Gazette today that her daughter had been found.

However, she quickly hung up and was unwilling to take any further calls regarding what happened during her daughter’s multiple-day disappearance (story here).

A team of Region 8 Forensic officers reportedly sifted through the entire 30-rai site in less than five days, searching for human remains and evidence that might identify the cause of the fire (story here).

“The forensic team has all the evidence they need. The team narrowed the origin of the fire down to a 1,200-square-meter area about 200 meters from the main entrance to the complex. The area stored foam and other construction materials,” Gov Maitri said.

The evidence was quickly spirited off the island.

“It was taken to Surat Thani for further investigation,” Gov Matri said.

SuperCheap representatives today reported that 60 per cent of the staff who worked at the megstore had rejoined the workforce.

Those who had yet to register to re-claim their jobs with the company had until November 1 to do so, said human resources chief Sirirak Kongkum (story here).

“So far 100 Burmese workers have resigned,” she added.

No SuperCheap representative clarified to the media whether or not all staffers were accounted for post-disaster.

However, Suwimon Saelim, acting director of the Phuket office of the state-run Insurance Commission, confirmed the fully insured megashop is covered for over 600 million baht in insurance payouts.

“KSK Insurance can pay out up to 248 million baht in fire insurance, 21 million baht for insured machinery and 3 million baht to injured people who are not on staff,” Ms Suwimon said.

“Another policy under Thai Insurance Co Ltd offers coverage of up to 372 million baht for fire insurance.”

Despite the devastation caused by the fire, SuperCheap did not lose all of its warehouses in the blaze.

“We have five warehouses left, which are storing furniture, Nestle beverages, rice and Chang beer, and we have our ‘L’ warehouse,” said Anongnart Suksaeree, chief accountant of SuperCheap.

“At this stage we cannot estimate the cost of the damage,” Ms Anongnart said.

No insurance money has been set aside to cover any staffers who may come forward with injuries from the event or for damage done to neighboring houses.

A third company, Crawford Insurance from the United States, has been hired to survey damage to surrounding structures.

“We received 67 complaints for damage caused to houses nearby and a shopper who paid for products, but was unable to retrieve them before the blaze,” Col Peerayuth said.

It was also announced today that most environmental threats potentially posed by the disaster had passed (story here).

“Rassada Municipality has declared the air and dust pollution gone. It also said some of the garbage has already been sent to the incinerator,” Gov Maitri said.

“Wastewater is the only problem that remains and at this stage the municipality will just use EM [effective micro-organisms] and quicklime to stop the bad smells emanating from water courses in the area,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-Governor-calls-off-SuperCheap-fire-site-search-announces-no-deaths-22579.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-10-23

[catweazle]

Most likely one of the biggest (and perhaps most expensive) coverups in Phuket history. Among Thai facebook users are plenty of stories circulating, saying that a large number of charred bodies were removed via a secluded area in the back of Supercheap, sending them straight to a temple in Mai Khao on trucks. It appears that some rescue team workers have leaked photos of the dead bodies and posted them on facebook. I haven't seen them and am not sure if I ever would want to. My niece (Thai) said she has seen them.

The mother, who has misteriously found her missing daughter and hung up the phone as soon as further questions rained upon her regarding her daughter's whereabouts in those days between the fire and her miraculous reappearance has obviously been paid blood money for her dead daugther to keep her mouth shut. The whole story starts to stink from both ends, unlike a dead fish that actually starts to stink from the head.

I for my part will boycott Supercheap stores (also the small 24hour ones) and ask friends to do the same - in the end it is of course each and every person's own decision on how to respond to this disaster and the aftermath.

When I shop, I don't need cheap, but I need to shop in a clean and organised environment where I and my family feel safe and where we do not have to sweat like pigs under an uninsulated corregated iron roof to grab items from shelves that stink of rat piss. I am happy to pay a few Baht extra per item to feel at ease in a nicely set up and safe super market and not a pigden or one of those dirty and messy SC stores.

Edited October 23, 2013 by catweazle

[ChoakMyDee]

Oh dear, I was so happy to read the headline that there were no casualties and then I read your post that there may be a coverup. This is depressing. If it's true, it's possible that most of the dead are Burmese and it would be easier to cover it up as they are second class(or 3rd class?) citizens.

[marell]

Wonder how many of the 100 Burmese who 'resigned' can be accounted for.

[JoeThePoster]

The evidence was quickly spirited off the island.

Case closed.

[thaibutty]

Gov Maitri appointed himself the single source for information regarding any alleged deaths in the incident.

He has been backed by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Ong-art Phiwruangnont, who warned that anyone spreading false rumors about deaths in the incident could face swift police action.

The DDPM-Phuket report was filed directly to Governor Maitri.

“All of the missing people were found,” Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karachedi said, echoing Gov Maitri’s statement.

Unbelievable!

[eddie61]

Burmese don't count

[PeterSmiles]

It appears that some rescue team workers have leaked photos of the dead bodies and posted them on facebook. I haven't seen them and am not sure if I ever would want to. My niece (Thai) said she has seen them.

I have no doubts that your niece will remember where she has seen those pictures of the dead bodies, and subsequently you will post the links here.

Waiting for the X-files part II.

[EOB1948]

Gov Maitri appointed himself the single source for information regarding any alleged deaths in the incident.

He has been backed by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Ong-art Phiwruangnont, who warned that anyone spreading false rumors about deaths in the incident could face swift police action.

First thing a govt does when there is information to cover up, is to make it an offense to discuss it.

Thalk Thalk Thalk

Edited October 23, 2013 by EOB1948

[EOB1948]

and quicklime to stop the bad smells emanating from water courses in the area,” he added.

Of course it will then make it's way into the mangroves on that side of the island.

Thalk Thalk Thalk

[Chainsaw]

Until I see firm evidence that there were bodies, I will believe that there were no fatalities.

All the rest is just empty speculation. Lets see the posts from facebook or elsewhere showing the EVIDENCE. Seems to me some folks are desperate for tragedies.

[MMarlow]

Most likely one of the biggest (and perhaps most expensive) coverups in Phuket history. Among Thai facebook users are plenty of stories circulating, saying that a large number of charred bodies were removed via a secluded area in the back of Supercheap, sending them straight to a temple in Mai Khao on trucks. It appears that some rescue team workers have leaked photos of the dead bodies and posted them on facebook. I haven't seen them and am not sure if I ever would want to. My niece (Thai) said she has seen them.

The mother, who has misteriously found her missing daughter and hung up the phone as soon as further questions rained upon her regarding her daughter's whereabouts in those days between the fire and her miraculous reappearance has obviously been paid blood money for her dead daugther to keep her mouth shut. The whole story starts to stink from both ends, unlike a dead fish that actually starts to stink from the head.

I for my part will boycott Supercheap stores (also the small 24hour ones) and ask friends to do the same - in the end it is of course each and every person's own decision on how to respond to this disaster and the aftermath.

When I shop, I don't need cheap, but I need to shop in a clean and organised environment where I and my family feel safe and where we do not have to sweat like pigs under an uninsulated corregated iron roof to grab items from shelves that stink of rat piss. I am happy to pay a few Baht extra per item to feel at ease in a nicely set up and safe super market and not a pigden or one of those dirty and messy SC stores.

Uncorroborated rumour-mongering that should be treated with contempt until it is proven to be true. If pictures of victims of this fire really were on Facebook, why are they not now all over the media?

The girl who was missing for a few days was not killed, she turned up safely.

The only thing that stinks in this thread, so far, is your post.

[MMarlow]

The evidence was quickly spirited off the island.

Case closed.

What you very conveniently omitted to add was that the evidence was sent to Surat Thani for further investigation.

Case still wide open.

[MMarlow]

It appears that some rescue team workers have leaked photos of the dead bodies and posted them on facebook. I haven't seen them and am not sure if I ever would want to. My niece (Thai) said she has seen them.

I have no doubts that your niece will remember where she has seen those pictures of the dead bodies, and subsequently you will post the links here.

Waiting for the X-files part II.

Hear, hear.

[stevenl]

Oh dear, I was so happy to read the headline that there were no casualties and then I read your post that there may be a coverup. This is depressing. If it's true, it's possible that most of the dead are Burmese and it would be easier to cover it up as they are second class(or 3rd class?) citizens.

Of course there is no coverup. In this day and age it would be impossible.

[JulesMad]

Unfortunately I do believe more in a cover-up story than in what "the officials" say

Sad but true! The last one to trust in anyone in a "official" capacity...

[paz]

I shopped many times at the local branches but never at the main one. I remember just a couple years afo a comment on a Phuket magazine forum, that this was a disaster waiting to happen. Looks like that person knew something about fires.

[EOB1948]

^ Really all that was needed was functioning eyes in your head.

if people perished in this fire, I seriously doubt there are any pics of bodies, or anything resembling a body just some blackened sticks that to an untrained worker using a rake would likely resemble charred bits of metal.

" no evidence of bodies.." that's right !

[stevenl]

Most likely one of the biggest (and perhaps most expensive) coverups in Phuket history. Among Thai facebook users are plenty of stories circulating, saying that a large number of charred bodies were removed via a secluded area in the back of Supercheap, sending them straight to a temple in Mai Khao on trucks. It appears that some rescue team workers have leaked photos of the dead bodies and posted them on facebook. I haven't seen them and am not sure if I ever would want to. My niece (Thai) said she has seen them.

<snip>

These photos would have made CNN, BBC World and other major news outlets.

Yes, I believe there are plenties of stories, but no, I don't believe them.

There will always be somebody in the process who makes photos or in another way makes the story news. In this day and age a cover up of deaths in something like this would be impossible.

[JoeThePoster]

The evidence was quickly spirited off the island.

Case closed.

What you very conveniently omitted to add was that the evidence was sent to Surat Thani for further investigation.

Case still wide open.

Yeah, Surat Thani, that hub of forensic analysis.

[eezergood]

so who is actually suprised they came out with this ridiculous statement?

Edited October 23, 2013 by eezergood

[simon43]

For those of us who are familiar with the Supercheap warehouse, it is almost unbelievable that no-one was killed in the fire.

This evening I visited a local bar at NaiYang Beach which is owned by a longtime Thai friend. Her Burmese staff were not present, which was not the norm. she explained that they were still mourning the death of 4 family members who worked at Supercheap.

No photos, no proof, but I certainly do not belioeve the 'no deaths' news stories that are being 'pushed' by the governor and his cronies.

Simon

[maxtingtong]

“So far 100 Burmese workers have resigned,” she added.

this is pretty stinky. Hardly believable that so many run to resign few days after the accident. Brrrrr

[webfact]

Officials confirm no deaths from Phuket SuperCheap fire as search ends
Naraporn Tuarob


SuperCheap after the fire.

PHUKET: -- Officials have confirmed after an extensive search of the SuperCheap site that nobody died or was injured in last Wednesday’s fire which destroyed the megastore on Thepkrassattri Rd in Phuket Town.

Trakul Thotham, the director of the Department of Prevention and Mitigation Region 18 Phuket, confirmed to The Phuket News that the final search of the site was completed on Tuesday, and forensics workers did not find any bodies.

“There are no dead or injured, this is confirmed,” he said.

A meeting was told this morning (October 24) that Rassada Municipality would deal with any ongoing issues relating to pollution – including smoke and wastewater in the area.

Control of the entire site has now been handed back to SuperCheap, who will start the clean-up and decide what to do with the area. So far, owner Boonsom Anantajaroonwong has not spoken to the press about the fire. An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The fire broke out at around 9.30pm on Wednesday (October 16), sparking initial fears that hundreds may be trapped inside. But officials have confirmed that no-one died in the fire, and everyone inside the store managed to, miraculously, escape.

Around 80 per cent of employees from the megastore have confirmed they will stay with the company, and will be given jobs at the many minimarts around the island, or at the new "Talad SuperCheap" set up next to the razed site.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/officials-confirm-no-deaths-from-phuket-supercheap-fire-as-search-ends-42505.php

-- Phuket News 2013-10-24

[stevenl]

“So far 100 Burmese workers have resigned,” she added.

this is pretty stinky. Hardly believable that so many run to resign few days after the accident. Brrrrr

Considering the superstition here I find it harder to believe the vast majority will stay on.

[steelepulse]

For those of us who are familiar with the Supercheap warehouse, it is almost unbelievable that no-one was killed in the fire.

This evening I visited a local bar at NaiYang Beach which is owned by a longtime Thai friend. Her Burmese staff were not present, which was not the norm. she explained that they were still mourning the death of 4 family members who worked at Supercheap.

No photos, no proof, but I certainly do not belioeve the 'no deaths' news stories that are being 'pushed' by the governor and his cronies.

Simon

Simon,

Is there any particular reason she hasn't gone to the authorities?

[simon43]

Is there any particular reason she hasn't gone to the authorities?

Are you new here?

Since the highest authority in Phuket has assured us that there were no deaths, do you honestly think the authorities give a damn about some dead (probably illegal) Burmese workers?

Most Thai locals that I've spoken to all agree that there was probably a high death count in the fire, but that the news has been suppressed.

I'd be interested to see the signed resignation letters of the 100 Burmese workers who apparently 'resigned' after the fire.

Simon

[stevenl]

For those of us who are familiar with the Supercheap warehouse, it is almost unbelievable that no-one was killed in the fire.

 

This evening I visited a local bar at NaiYang Beach which is owned by a longtime Thai friend.  Her Burmese staff were not present, which was not the norm.  she explained that they were still mourning the death of 4 family members who worked at Supercheap.

 

No photos, no proof, but  I certainly do not belioeve the 'no deaths' news stories that are being 'pushed' by the governor and his cronies.

 

Simon

 

Simon,

 

Is there any particular reason she hasn't gone to the authorities?

Yes, the rumourmill, always the most reliable news source.

Sent from my D90W using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Valentine]

For those of us who are familiar with the Supercheap warehouse, it is almost unbelievable that no-one was killed in the fire.

This evening I visited a local bar at NaiYang Beach which is owned by a longtime Thai friend. Her Burmese staff were not present, which was not the norm. she explained that they were still mourning the death of 4 family members who worked at Supercheap.

No photos, no proof, but I certainly do not belioeve the 'no deaths' news stories that are being 'pushed' by the governor and his cronies.

Simon

Simon,

Is there any particular reason she hasn't gone to the authorities?

Yes, the rumourmill, always the most reliable news source.

Sent from my D90W using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Apparently the rumour mill in Burma is alive & well on this topic.

[madmitch]

If there's a cover-up then it won't last long in these days of social media. And if it is proven so, Governor Maitree should immediately be forced to resign, though we all know that won't happen.