No replies to this topic

[DOLLY]

"The Major shareholder of the Santika pub Wisuk Setsawat yesterday reported to police to testify about the New Year pub fire, as authorities prepared to press two charges against his managing director. Four days after the blaze, which left 63 dead, Mr Wisuk, accompanied by his lawyer, met deputy police chief Jongrak Chuthanont and investigators at Thong Lor police station.

Pol Gen Jongrak said Mr Wisuk was questioned as a witness, not a suspect. But police will file charges against Suriya Ritrabue, the managing director of White & Brothers (2003) Co, who is the registered owner of the pub. The charges are recklessly causing other people's death, and allowing revellers younger than 20 to enter his entertainment venue.

Police are still investigating the cause. They believe the fire could have been caused by either stage effects, or fireworks lit by a customer. If the fire was caused by stage effects, musicians or the production team would be held responsible. If it was caused by fireworks, police would take legal action against the customer. Regardless, owners of the pub could not avoid a charge of allowing underaged revellers to enter the venue, said Pol Gen Jongrak.

After testifying to police, Mr Wisuk, in tears, said he was deeply sorry for the tragedy. He apologised to relatives of those who died or were injured. His lawyer, Poolsak Pongcharoen, said 31 shareholders of the pub had pooled resources to raise a two-million-baht fund for helping the injured and families of the dead.

So far, they had handed out 20,000 baht in cash assistance to 11 families of dead victims, and 10,000 baht in cash to two injured victims, said Mr Poolsak. Mr Wisuk was criticised by some victims' relatives for disappearing after the fire."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/9115...lder-says-sorry