Massive Fire at Route 999 in Pattaya

[george]

Bangkok Post:

Pattaya disco fire kills 7

PATTAYA: -- A fire hit an entertainment complex in North Pattaya last night killing at least seven people and injuring at least 49 bar-goers.

Police said most of the people killed and injured at Route 999 entertainment complex were Thai customers and staff who were caught off guard when the fire started about 8.15pm, shortly after the place opened for business.

The blaze apparently started from the DJ room inside a discotheque in the complex, police said, but they still could not tell what caused it.

Police said many customers were already inside the complex and the staff were attending a routine briefing when the fire started.

Bodies of the victims were sent to Bang Lamung hospital while the injured were sent to a few other hospitals by relief volunteers. Police said they believed more people could be trapped inside the disco but firemen have yet to enter the building for fear the structure might collapse.

Route 999 entertainment complex is on Pattaya 3 road in North Pattaya. The complex is made up of a pub, a disco and a go-go bar covering an area of about 1,000 square metres.

--Bangkok Post 2006-05-08

[Xeque]

Were it not for the fact that she is currently on holiday in Shanghai, my daughter may well have been at Route 999 last night. It is (or was) one of her favourite haunts.

Full marks to the quick thinking of the Fire Service in pulling out an exterior wall to allow people to get out (reported earlier in this forum). Had they not done so this would have been an even worse tragedy.

My wife and I were in the place briefly a couple of months ago. We were in the room to the right of the main entrance and I recall seeing an illuminated EXIT sign that would have lead out to the car park area on the north side of the building. However, I didn't look to see if the exit was locked - how many of us would although I might consider doing so in future visits to Pattaya night spots.

Many years ago I worked in the leisure industry in the UK. Misuse of emergency exits particularly at venues where there was a entrance charge or an ID check on the door was a problem but we didn't solve it by simply locking the doors! Instead we made sure that a member of the security staff was posted nearby or staff members checked the doors regularly.

There can be no excuse for locking emergency exits and the building owner(s) must be held to account for instructing or allowing the club management to do so.

This is so sad and our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Edited May 8, 2006 by Xeque

[george]

Fire was caused by short circuit

PATTAYA: -- The number of people killed in a fire that engulfed a pub on North Pataya Road Sunday night rose to eight, a senior police office said.

Pol Lt Gen Jongrak Chuthannon, commissioner of Provincial Police Bureau 2, said the fire was caused by short circuit.

Jongrak identified the eight as Saijai Srilakul, 24, Winida Buachuen, 25, Suphan Parasami, 25, Supaporn Sornpinjin, 21, Chutima Boonju, 22, Thaweepong Kantiyamongkol, 29, Oei (surname unknown), 25, and an unidentified man.

--The Nation 2006-05-08

[Joey Boy]

A 8:10 the place will have been completely empty and probably not even open... The death toll would have been in the 100's had this happeneed @ midnight.

RIP

[Meg_2003]

Its not true that there were customers in there. There were only staff..

[pattayamick]

On 15th January I wrote the following to Pattaya Mail( bag ) and Bangkok Post ( bag)

None of them found it worth printing

A catastrophe waiting to happen.

Sir.

I was in Pattaya’s walking street over the long weekend and together with my local friends entered a seemingly, very popular entertainment place around midnight on the sea side of Walking Street.

The place was huge, with four-five-six hundred people, loud and rather dark, as I guess the young people prefer. And young they certainly were. I was told that the place was the preferred hangout of the kids from the local international schools. The “ look kreung “ girls, at the table next to ours, who were happily drinking Bacardi Breezers, could not have been more that 15-16 years old.

That aside.

What caught my attention was, that the very narrow entrance, also seemed to be the only exit. At the very end of the disco was a very thick window glass, which I guess could be broken in case of a fire. One would then have to jump in the ocean though.

So many people was on the premises, that it took about 10 minutes just to muscle your way to the rest rooms.

Just imagine what would happen in case of a fire. Five hundred people running for the same narrow exit in darkness.

As local police probably are unable to do anything, I hereby call on their Bangkok superiors to have a very close look at this place. I also call on the parents from the Pattaya international schools, to think twice before allowing your children to this Walking Street entertainment place again.[/i]

Edited May 8, 2006 by pattayamick

[astral]

And it's reported the back door - or at least one back entrance was locked at the time.

Why am I not surprised by that?????????????

Fire safety never has been a high priority in LOS

[Noel]

This tragedy brings back memories of 1997, when a fire at the Royal Jomtien Resort (now the Jomtien Palm Beach Resort) claimed the lives of 91 people.

That was Thailand’s worst fire of its kind on record.

The fact that the fire exits were locked along with several other fire safety shortcomings led to an outcry, after which tougher fire safety regulations were to be introduced and strictly enforced.

Just another case of bureaucratic hot air it would seem…

[kurgen]

is it true that the 999 club is/was owned by the same people who own Peppermint Agogo ?

[hm1973]

is it true that the 999 club is/was owned by the same people who own Peppermint Agogo ?

Polo not peppermint

[eddieold]

R.I.P. all those who died.

I hope the owners go to jail for locking the exit (s)

Why? It is normal practice for staff to arrive before opening time and be let in to prepare for opening. During this period doors will be locked to prevent other people just wandering in.

Eddieold

[Meg_2003]

There should have been at least 1 fire foor in the building!!

Does anyone know of any other good places simular to Route 999 as I dont think 999 will be opening up again anytime soon.. ??!!??

They were only open for 5 months

Edited May 8, 2006 by Meg_ken2003

[bluie]

This tragedy brings back memories of 1997, when a fire at the Royal Jomtien Resort (now the Jomtien Palm Beach Resort) claimed the lives of 91 people.

That was Thailand’s worst fire of its kind on record.

The fact that the fire exits were locked along with several other fire safety shortcomings led to an outcry, after which tougher fire safety regulations were to be introduced and strictly enforced.

Just another case of bureaucratic hot air it would seem…

First may I say how sorry I am to read about this tragedy and my condolences to all the familys

concerned, the govenor of the province should now be brought to task and asked why these and other licenced premises should be granted licences without first being inspected for fire safty by the fire department and also safe Electricle circuitry by an Electrical Engineer which should include a recognised Euriopien style earthing system and also a ELCB circuit breaker, and as for the fire departmentthey should check for hazardous drapes which could cause raprid spread of fire, sufficient emergency exits for the capicity fo the building, and that the fire exits be fitted with panic bolts which lock the doors from inside but can be opened from inside with just a push on the bar, also there should be an adequate sprinkeler system fitted, all these items should be inspected every

12 months and certified safe and to speification before renewing the licence, it would be gratifing if

someone in authority were to read this and take some action, this not ment as a criticism more a suggestion, as life is a very precious thing and so easy to loose.

[Kerryd]

R.I.P. all those who died.

I hope the owners go to jail for locking the exit (s)

Why? It is normal practice for staff to arrive before opening time and be let in to prepare for opening. During this period doors will be locked to prevent other people just wandering in.

Eddieold

Fire exits are usually not locked from the inside. The "panic bar" (on the inside of the door) over-rides what ever locking mechanism is on the exterior.

Problem is when people (management) lock the fire exits (from the inside) using a chain and padlock. This makes it virtually impossible to escape.

But while management could and should shoulder some of the blame, also remember that buidling codes and inspections here are no where near the standards of places like Europe or N.A.

In N.A. for example, the building design would have to incorporate a certain number of exits, and there would be requirements for fire suppression systems (sprinklers/extinguishers) and emergency lighting. There would also be occupation limits (i.e. a maximum of 300 people in the premises at one time). There would be inspections by various groups to ensure safety standards are being kept up.

If inspectors saw 2 dozen electrical cords plugged into the same outlet, there would be hel_l to pay.

Here ? Mai Pen Rai. Until something happens, or someone important is affected.

[Noel]

3,000 Bangkok Buildings Confirmed Gravely Unsafe

Thousands of Bangkok buildings gravely unsafe

List declared TOP SECRET

BANGKOK: Authorities in Thailand's teeming capital have listed 3,000 high-rise buildings as gravely unsafe saying many are under particular threat from fire, according to a press report.

The Bangkok buildings threatening public safety have not been named for fear of inciting a wave of law suits against the city, the president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) reportedly said.

"The state simply says there are 3,000 unsafe buildings in Bangkok and stops at that," EIT's Totrakul Yomnak told the Bangkok Post.

"They fear being hit with defamation suits, so they say nothing."

Concern over Bangkok's high-rises surged with the collapse earlier this month of part of a city department store which killed one person and injured six others.

The building's owners had been ordered years ago to tear down its top floors as they were built illegally, and the collapse sparked concern that several city skyscrapers had violated the law or skirted construction regulations.

EIT's chairman Pichaya Chatranuwat was cited as slamming the lack of standardized fire prevention systems in the structures and said it was vital to raise the safety of buildings in the city, which is home to some 10 million people.

Thai hotels have been known to lock fire exits, while department stores block them with merchandise, he said.

"We should place our focus on the fire problem," Pichaya said in the English-language daily.

"Previous records have shown that most tragic incidents in high-rise buildings involved this type of accident."

He pointed to a deadly 1997 fire in the Royal Jomtien Hotel in the beach resort of Pattaya south of Bangkok, which killed 91 people.

-- Source: AFP 2004-06-20

And what has been done...?

[dezeure]

"Rescue workers said they believe all of the building's surviving occupants were evacuated."

Well yes, cause those who didn't evacuate didn't survive...

Any news on the emergency doors? Were they again locked with padlocks and chains, preventing people from escaping without pay, or did they learn their lesson in Pattaya?

My condolences to the victim's families.

[game4shame]

RIP

suitable fire regulations are something most westerners would take for granted. it's never really crossed my mind until now.

come to think of it, supersub on samui is another death-trap venue. it's dark, crowded and has one automatic sliding door for entry and exit.

[Hermano Lobo]

I remember the American/British fireman nearly having a fit when he saw the Nana Entertainment Complex. Rubbish lying around and in reality no emergency exits just that bottle-neck blocked by motorbikes.

There have been some horrendous disco blazes in Central/South America and lessons are never learned.

I walked out of Shebas in Soi Cowboy a while ago to watch one bar go up in flames. It burnt readily - luckily nobody was seriously hurt.

Rather than spending all that time and effort on closing hours and shutting places down because of showing-

Put the same effort into Health & Safety !

Edited May 8, 2006 by Hermano Lobo

[chuckd]

A few years ago, they built that building where Batman Disco was supposed to open. The disco may have even opened for a brief period of time.

It is a 5-6 story building with absolutely no way to get out if there is a fire. No windows and very limited entrances/exits. Look at this building the next time you are in the area and see if you don't think it would be one great chimney?

I swore never to darken the doors of the place. It is closed now so no problem.

[Kerryd]

To makes things more absurd, the local stations are still running the Route 999 advertisements. You'd think someone would have the brains to pull the ads after a tragic event like this.

Maybe they're worried they might have to repay some advertising money if they stop showing the ads ?

[Mobi]

As one of the earlier posts mentioned. some of the worst tragedies in the world (outside of terrorism) happen in disco/club fires. If the fire had happened an hour or so later, you can bet it would have been an even worse tragedy and pictures would have been plastered all over the worlds' press.

In terms of all the things in Thailand that can cause uneccessary deaths and accidents, enforcing building fire regulations is a relatively quick fix. If the will is there at the highest levels, and they started inspection and enforcement tomorrow, within a couple of years or so the situation could be measurably better. Give the building inspectors the necessary know-how and authority, and increase the penalties for ignoring fire regulations. For starters: for anyone responsible for locking fire exits, there should be a mandatory ten year jail sentence - that would make them think twice. As far as modifications to buildings, entertainment venues etc., there should be a gradual but urgent timetable of compliance, giving owners a short time to get their places up to scratch, after which they get closed down - no appeals.

Something like the above wouldn't be too hard to enforce - even in Thailand - but you and I know it'll never happen.

My sincere condolences to the bereaved - let's hope the powers that be treat this this a wake up call, so that this terrible waste of life will not be in vain.

Edited May 8, 2006 by Mobi D'Ark

[donkeykong]

Its just been shown on Australian TV news, including video footage shot last night.

And yet, it doesn't warrant a mention on 'The Nation' website headlines:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/

apparently they prefer:

Pregnant elephant dies

Used-car sales could be a sign of the times

The Pattaya Mail news channel is discussing hob-nob menus at Royal Cliff.

PCN is still showing ads for Route 999

Edited May 8, 2006 by donkeykong

[hm1973]

Full story with updated information

Please note, the previous link will not work!

[MisterFingers]

I hate to beat a dead horse here, but I can't help think about all the money, resources, and manpower spent in raiding clubs just to check the patrons for drugs in their systems.

If they cared more about people's lives, and less about flexing their muscles and showing their total control, this and other tragedies could be avoided.

If you check their priorities and actions in the past year and a half, you have to reach this unavoidable conclusion.

According to the Thai government and police, it's a bigger tragedy for some guy in a night club to take an ecstasy pill, than for many people to be killed or injured in a death trap fire at another club.

[taxexile]

this story got a lot of coverage on the itv thai news just now.

the fire started when the in house repair man , whilst using an oxy acetylene torch to repair or adjust a faulty or leaking air con unit , located in the ceiling space , recieved an (i think) electric shock and fell down to the floor , leaving the lighted welding torch up in the ceiling space. this caused the fire to start.

building and fire safety standards were also mentioned , along with the usual mantra of "lessons will have to be learnt"

[Mr Ling Noi]

I hate to beat a dead horse here, but I can't help think about all the money, resources, and manpower spent in raiding clubs just to check the patrons for drugs in their systems.

If they cared more about people's lives, and less about flexing their muscles and showing their total control, this and other tragedies could be avoided.

If you check their priorities and actions in the past year and a half, you have to reach this unavoidable conclusion.

According to the Thai government and police, it's a bigger tragedy for some guy in a night club to take an ecstasy pill, than for many people to be killed or injured in a death trap fire at another club.

Exactly!!! I don't take drugs myself and to be honest i have very rarly been offered them here in thailand. But I have read more problems on safety issues and accidents then i have on major drug issues.

They need to put a little more effort and thought into regulating building issues, fire, bomb, sound levels, etc etc .....

I can't beleive I couldn't paint my house the color i wanted in Aus cause it didn't comply with 'heritage' colors, yet here they allow HUGE night clubs to be built with no standard of saftey. I know we can't/shouldn't compare countrys as we do live here not in these 'safe' countrys, but you think a small step up here could be taken to ensure the safety both the locals and the rest of us.

I hope/ as i did after Royal Jomtein, that they start to look into these issues, I think with the fine money they receive should surley be enough to pay for the inspectors.

My thoughts go out to the victims and there families.

[dvk1951]

Eddieold,

Wrong answer, the requirements are that the exits be usable when the building is occupied,period, to differentiate between employees and customers is asine thinking.

One other fact, I personally know that there were customers present when the fire broke which should have meant that the doors would then be unlocked, kind of blows you theory out the window.

R.I.P. all those who died.

I hope the owners go to jail for locking the exit (s)

Why? It is normal practice for staff to arrive before opening time and be let in to prepare for opening. During this period doors will be locked to prevent other people just wandering in.

Eddieold

[donkeykong]

Australian TV news video clip......

watch it here

[pop3]

Just had an e mail from a friend in Norway asking me about the terrorist explosion's in two seperate disco's in pattaya, funny how the new's change's !

[10LeuZ_FTAI]

Massive Fire at Route 999 in North Pattaya, 8 dead and 58 injured

Full update with pictures here

just by taking a look to the latest news and we can see that it is in fact more and more difficult for the police departement to put their hand on each unique case...that it's caused by the fact that violence is growing up at a really fast motion ..siight