2 replies to this topic

[DOLLY]

I got the feeling in reading this announcement that only small fish are going to get fried:

"Public prosecutors decided Monday to indict managers of the Santika Pub and six other persons involved in hosting the New Year's Eve party which turned into an inferno, killing 66 party-goers last year.

Warutporn Nimitkul, director general of the Department of Southern Bangkok Criminal Litigation, said after the case consideration that prosecutors agreed to proceed the case against seven persons including club managers Wisuth Setsawat and Suriya Ritrabue.Others who will be charged include Thawatchai Thumma, general manager in charge of the club premises, Putthipong Wilakkree, marketing manager and Pongthep Chinda, entertainment manager, the senior prosecutor said.

Warutporn added that Sarawut Ariya, the lead singer of the club's band, called "Burn", who lit the fireworks during his performance, will also be indicted, as well as Boonchoo Laosinat from Focus Light System, which provided the special effects for the event. All seven persons will be charged for recklessness causing other people's deaths and severe injury, Warutporn said.He said the accused will acknowledge the charges before the case will be forwarded for further legal proceeding.

Sixty-six persons died from smoke inhalation or in the stampede as revellers panicked and tried to escape through the club's single apparent exit, while hundred other injured as fire broke out at the two-storey Santika Club in Bangkok's Ekkamai area on January 1, 2009, just few minutes after they celebrated the New Year countdown."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/02/17...al_30122787.php

It seems to me that the owners would be directly responsible for not having enough fire escapes, as well as the officials who let this place operate illegally. Then I remembered this is Thailand.

[Bob]

It seems to me that the owners would be directly responsible for not having enough fire escapes, as well as the officials who let this place operate illegally. Then I remembered this is Thailand.

Although I've read most of the newspaper articles about the fire and subsequent investigation, I haven't seen any mention of underlying deficiencies in the building itself (i.e., I read somewhere about some exit doors being blocked but not that there weren't enough for the building). I've also read that the nightclub business wasn't properly licensed but, again, I would think that's not the problem of the owner of the building who leased the space to some other entity. But, frankly, given the lack of in depth reporting about what was found there, it's difficult to know for sure.

[Gene]

All I remember about this case is that one of the owners of the Santika was a cop and that all sorts of license and safety violations and inspections were never enforced after he became an owner. You don't suppose he got indicted, do you?