Bangkok Officials Ready To Fight New Year Fires
By Khaosod Online


Aftermath of the 2009 Santika nightclub fire

Bangkok: -- Fearing the recurrence of the deadly 2009 New Year nightclub fire, officials will station 35 fire trucks across Bangkok during the New Year celebration to respond to any emergency.

Many of the firetrucks would be stationed close to crowded areas in Bangkok, such as the venue for countdown events at Siam Paragon and Central World shopping malls; dense residential areas; and nightclubs district, said Mr. Pichai Kriangwattanasiri, director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)

“The climate is cold and dry at the moment,” Mr. Pichai told our correspondent, “It increases the risk of fire incidents”.

160 DDPM officials would be assigned to man the firetrucks, with the ratio of average 5 DDPM officials per firetrucks, to guarantee competent rescue operations, Mr. Pichai added.

The DDPM director also warned the tourists who plan to celebrate the arrival of year 2014 at nightclubs to stay vigilant of their surroundings.

“Visitors should see how many emergency fire exits there are, whether they are adequate,” Mr. Pichai said, “They should also see whether fire extinguishers are available”.

Furthermore, nightclub goers are advised to take careful notice of the buildings’ structure, such as the material of the wall and the density of the crowd inside the venues. Mr. Pichai said these efforts would help prevent the repetition of the blaze at Bangkok’s Zantika Club on the early hours of 1 January 2009 which killed at least 66 people.

The fire broke out when the performing musicians launched flares at the direction of the ceiling as part of the entertainment. The foam-plastered walls and ceilings were quickly engulfed in the blaze, court investigation found, and the fire exits could not accommodate the stampede of panicked survivors.

Mr. Pichai added that citizens can notify the DDPM of any emergency via the hotline 1555, which is operational 24 hours a day.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE56Z3dORGN3Tnc9PQ==


-- Khaosod English 2013-12-24

Furthermore, nightclub goers are advised to take careful notice of the buildings structure, such as the material of the wall and the density of the crowd inside the venues.

Any tips for nightclub owners?

Furthermore, nightclub goers are advised to take careful notice of the buildings structure, such as the material of the wall and the density of the crowd inside the venues.

Any tips for nightclub owners?

Or those who are actually supposed to inspect the clubs to ensure they are safe?

"The fire broke out when the performing musicians launched flares at the direction of the ceiling as part of the entertainment."

I thought that was found not to be true. Is that what happened then?

But not with the Fire engines that are still rotting on the docks !

regards Worgeordie

So the queues outside venues on Hogmanay will not be those waiting to actually get in but rather those waiting to conduct structural inspections before deciding to queue to get in.

So what did they do to prepare from 2010-2013? The first sentence makes it seem like this is the first time they are thinking of this.

"The climate is cold and dry at the moment, Mr. Pichai told our correspondent, It increases the risk of fire incidents.

Mr. Pichai Kriangwattanasiri, director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) should go back to kindergarten science, and would get an instant F for talking such BS because such fiery disaster occur the peakest during hot seasons OR rainy season, where generator overloads AND Electrocutions happen the most frequently

Gimme my degree for natural disaster science studies already, sponsored by Khsosan road for 500 Baht

Come 2nd Feb Bangkok will be on fire

What a horrible headline. It leads one to assume fire is planned for New Year.

Morons.

And no mention of inspections or other actions to close places which are fire traps in terms of proper design and installation of exit doors, electrical circuits, fire detection equipment, sprinklers etc.

Plus no amendments to the law so that owners are primarily responsible for safety and liable for any injuries, etc.

pumpuiman, on 24 Dec 2013 - 08:34, said:

What a horrible headline. It leads one to assume fire is planned for New Year.

Morons.

Property owners with insurance.....plan ahead

for your own safety

better not be in enclosed places with a lot of people and where fire doors might be chained in fear of someone doing a freebie

Would such a policy perhaps indicate that the Bangkok Officials are privy to information regarding an as yet not publicly known Red Shirt pro P.T.P. Thaksin rally. Or possibly an anti P.T.P. Thaksin rally due to the nomination of Thaksins clone sister as the number 1 P.T.P. candidate?

In France, it is considered normal activity to set cars on fire on new Year's Eve. True.

http://world.time.com/2013/01/03/in-france-nothing-says-happy-new-year-like-a-burning-car/

There are problems elsewhere....

After 32 Years of being a front line Fire Fighter all i can do after reading the OP is shake my head....but after all This is Thailand....I just hope every one has a safe holiday.

Just looked at the London fire Brigade list of appliances and Wow! Comparing it to only 35 that are on standby in Bangkok is a bit of a difference, especially where building control don't enforce the use of fire protective material in the construction of buildings.