NYE Nightclub Fire in Bangkok

[Road Runner]

They did bring in laws relating to property inspections in Thailand near the end of 2007:-   Building Inspections
As you will see they only apply to large buildings and venues.  Also though fire escapes are mentioned it does not really specify any requirements.

I think is near criminal neglect for a government in any country as few businesses want to 'waste  money on fire equipment/exits.


It's apparently left to the building inspectors to decide what's required on the spot.

This is the comment posted on the Bangkok Post website about building inspectors in Bangkok.

We had spent quite a bit of money to set up fire exits, sprinkler systems including cameras and monitors everywhere. To my surprise the inspectors had no interest in inspecting the premises, and were only interested in getting an envelope with a "payment" inside.

Part of my training included fire fighting  -  if you go into fight a fire you always keep in your mind how do you get out!

RR.

[mardhi]

That's very accurate scenario RR - two years ago, there was a big push on venues needing CCTV cameras which they had to pay for to be given an entertainment licence - unfortunately there is no such requirement for building inspection certification to be provided as part of the application process and as that poster pointed out, everything can be smoothed with a 'donation' - similar thing happened again about 2 years ago when a pub on Pattaya 3rd road burnt down - luckily the fire took hold around 9pm and only staff were inside as the club had not opened. It gutted it in minutes and was blamed on an 'electrical fault' - the then mayor and governor of the province visited the scene the following day and exclaimed urgent checks to take place on all entertainment venues emergency exits etc - Three people I know who own such venues are still waiting for the said inspection........

Its just an unfortunate situation in Thailand that these things hardly get any focus and when they do, money clears the issue, not actually 'doing the right thing'.

Cheers
Mardhi

[PigDogg]

The other day there was a fire at the Big C shopping center on 2nd Road in Pattaya.   Luckily, there were no injuries.

The mall "appears" to be built to international standards. Although probably not a safe as a Western mall, according to the article no fire alarm system WTF, still nothing like a NEP firetrap.

Central Festival Fire

[PigDogg]

The band is named Burn; it's not the New Year's Eve fire.

I believe the venue is Santika.

[PigDogg]

For those that wish to see the emergency response to the fire last night. Some may find this to be quite disturbing.

[aperry]

That piece of footage gives us a tiny insight to what it must have been like, caught up in that horrific situation last night at Santika.
I took the 15 minute journey down there to Ekamai this afternoon to see for myself some of the aftermath of such tragedy. Just seeing items of clothing, unclaimed cars and and a group of muslims chanting with many people crying really put things into perspective for me.

Santika2.jpgSantika9.jpgSantika3.jpgSantika5.jpgSantika.jpg

This snap was taken at the rear of the building where a window has been smashed in desperation to allow emergency exit.
Santika7.jpg

[PANICOS]

Dozen dies in new years club fire in bkk. Fire started at
Santica club which was full with people waitting for the new year.At least 59 die and more than 200 were
injured.Sorry but i dont want to go on details about that sad incident.the only reason i wrote that is because some tv stations in europe said that it was a bomb at the club,and they didnt mention the fire.
For all u guys i wish a very happy new year.

[Foggy]

(mardhi @ Jan. 01 2009,12:40) :To Tomcats point - does anyone think of this - the answer is yes I do - I am always very aware of it     I wont go in Lucifers for that exact reason - the others I would but I tend to be very aware of my surroundings (and access to the sole exit point) at all times, no matter what state I am in.

Cheers
Mardhi

Some thing I never gave a thought to in the past but certainly will now.

So sorry that so much life had to be lost...

[jadeite]

Not long ago no one was carded in Bangkok and anyone could walk into a night spot. Earlier in this decade that all changed overnight when suddenly everyone had to be 20+, no exceptions. Night spots were retrofitted into single entryways without the possibility of anyone making it in other than that one single, guarded entrance. I noticed the fire hazard in places like RCA right away.

Recall also that some Thai factories lock the workers in so they can't steal anything and when those catch fire, nobody gets out. There is also an upstairs bar in patpong with one entrance and they lock the door after you enter.

Scary situations, but remember there was a disco fire way worse than this in the US attributed to fireworks done on stage so just rubber stamping western ways isn't necessarily going to be good enough.

[ciobha]

So in the wake of this trgedy, what do you think will be the Thai response, and corrective/preventative actions.

In the extremely unlikely event of the Thai authorities incorporating western H & S standards to all public buildings, what would be the financial outcome.

For example, in Pattaya, PigDogg and a few others have estimated that there are about 8000 bars and clubs. So if all these venues now had to adapt new western safety standards, could anybody hazard a guess as to how many would therefore remain open??

[kahuna]

Likely none of them could or would meet strick western standards...

As harsh as it sounds, frankly I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often here...

Last night Soi BJ looked and sounded like the Gaza Strip...

The evening before we watched in amazement as baht taxis rolled over unexploded fireworks...

It's a tragedy to be sure, but one that is likely to be repeated here and elsewhere many times
before anything positive is done...

[sev7en]

Here´s a mobile clip from inside the club at 12 oclock. They had fireworks inside

http://www.expressen.tv/nyheter....bangkok

[Road Runner]

(sev7en @ Jan. 01 2009,16:14) They had fireworks inside

Something that does not surprise me  -  unfortunately.    

Also I have no doubt that the owners never bothered to ensure the building was fitted with fire resistant materials and as was commented above that there were proper clear fire exits.

I can only hope that someone in a position of influence in Thailand stirs up enough noise that they do something about enforcing fire regulations. I did say hope  -  I have no illusions....    

Afterall it's only 59 families that have lost someone they loved  -  pen mai rai.        

RR.

[EyeMahk]

(PigDogg @ Jan. 01 2009,01:47) still nothing like a NEP firetrap.

Yes, NEP is bad, seemingly one exit and entrance. I do know that there is a back door exit in Playskool gogo on the ground floor. I think it might be the only one of all the bars in NEP. How I know about this back door is probably not appropriate for this thread.

[sev7en]

Nep is fkin scary when it comes to this