PM Prayut speaks out about deadly school fire - "don't wait for disasters before acting"

[tuanku]

The news report stated the door/s were locked from the outside. I'm not sure if that has been confirmed.

If that evidence was confirmed, without a night, fire watchmen, then why isn't that danger being addressed and laws researched to prevent a similar disaster?

And who was the last person who locked the door/s?

I hope these questions are being asked and codes and laws researched.

A follow up story with factual evidence, current codes, laws and legal liability would be interesting for all parents.

Very few of these words and concepts I have highlighted in bold have a Thai equivalent.

But as far as the doors being locked, that seems to be contradicted by survivor statements.

In the original article, I recall the survivors mentioning that they climbed down out of a second story window using bed sheets. So I guess there were no handy fire escapes.

Seems the fire started on the floor below and spread up the stairwell. No fire doors, I guess and no alternative exits. Smoke inhalation probably did most of the damage.

[BlindMagician]

PM speaks out about deadly school fire - "don't wait for disasters before acting"

Image: Thairath

BANGKOK: -- Prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has expressed his deep regret for the Chiang Rai school fire than claimed 17 lives on Sunday night.

He said that authorities concerned should not wait for disasters to happen before implementing procedures as he warned all not to be complacent about regulations reported Thairath.

Sunday's fire in the Pitakkiatwithaya School killed 17 students aged 6 - 12 and injured several others. Investigations are underway to find out the cause of the fire that gutted the ground floor of a dorm housing some 38 hill tribe children. Many died in their beds on the second floor of the building.

PM Prayut said: "I am very sorry for those who lost their lives and the injured. This is a lesson for everybody.

"I have ordered all ministries and departments to double check that regulations are being followed nationwide. Things might need to be tightened up where slackness has developed in following regulations.

He said that everybody responsible should not wait for a disaster before acting and that appropriate procedures must be followed.

Prayut was also asked about the question of fires in tall buildings that has been raised as an area of concern recently. He said that he had ordered relevant departments to come up with a viable plan and this may involve soldiers and helicopters in fighting potential fires.

Source: Thairath

-- 2016-05-25

"Things might need to be tightened up"....oh really?

If this junta circus can seriously tighten up where things need it, as per a modern rational rules based ..etc... nation might, then all the other c$%p that comes with a coup and the circus antics might be a bit more sufferable. Big "if" though.

[jerojero]

He ordered this, ordered that, pontificated more ..... with what follow up? None.

[attrayant]

Three questions:

Are there laws that:

Required the school to have fire and liability insurance?

Require safety inspections

Require electrical codes and inspections when electrical service is installed

Making sure these things exist is acting before disasters.

None of these things will happen because they cost more than 2000 baht per victim.

[Winniedapu]

The comment above was interesting, because in some of the worst building fires in recent history, loss of life was mainly due to locked, blocked or missing fire exits. I hope the Thai authorities have the courage and the integrity to properly investigate and report on the circumstances of this fire.

Hope springs eternal. But don't hold your breath. The owner of the school is probably rich enough to make sure the right squeaky wheels get the right amount of oil After which it will all go quiet while the 20-second Thai span of attention ticks right on by.

It's the Thai way.

Winnie

I really don't think wealth is involved here, that's why the response is so muted. This doesn't involve any of "their own people". This was a Christian school serving poor hill tribe families. Wealthy people in this country don't do charity (unless it is for self promotion purposes and to crow about on Facebook.)

So its probably not money talking, but just plain old lethargy and incompetence from disinterested investigators.

Respect your pov, but in Thailand, wealth is *always* involved. It is ubiquitous, as is the buying of free passes. Having said that, the fact that it was a Christian school for hill tribe children may in fact be a salient point. Were they orphans by any chance? If so, the compensation payout will be trivial.

Winnie

Edited May 26, 2016 by Winniedapu

[GeorgesAbitbol]

Prayuth should use 44 to prevent fire

[kannot]

Reacting to things after the fact would seem to be Thai SOP.

What's worse is the fact that all reactions are knee jerk and with no real follow through, just a short 'crackdown'. Police reform? Fishing industry reform? Political reform? Human Trafficing reform? Endangered species trafficing reform? Thai Buddhism reform? Taxi reform? The list is endless.

Reform reform!