Santika New Year Party Tragedy

[CiaranM]

Aren't there any rules in this joint about keeping 'On Topic'?

wrong website mate !!!!!!!

[LakeGeneve]

A 1000 page report completed, reportedly with clear findings of fault and blatant deficiencies in regulatory procedures and oversight.

But will anyone have to face the music???

BMA completes probe into Santika Pub inferno Nation 5 March

The investigation committee submitted a 1,000-page report to city clerk Pongsak Semsan on Monday. After summoning some 15 involved officials, the committee concluded that there were three faults: the consideration of the permit before it was issued; building inspection during construction; and inspection of the building's modification.

The committee also found that the pub's building did not comply with the blueprint submitted and that the owners had not sought permission for modifying the building, nor did they apply for a permit for the usage of the building, the source said.

In other words, the club owners had not obtained any permits for the building. As for inspection during construction, the committee said it suspected it had not been studied by the public works, thus deeming it a negligence of duty, despite officials' claims of having done so.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/topstory/30097197/BMA-completes-probe-into-Santika-Pub-inferno

[LakeGeneve]

Death pub secured during investigation By: KING-OUA LAOHONG 31/03/2009 Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga has ordered officials to secure the ruins of the destroyed Santika pub while an investigation is held into alleged violations of building control laws. The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission has been ordered to inform the club's owners not to interfere with the pub until the investigation is completed, PACC secretary-general Tharit Pengdit said after a meeting with the minister yesterday.

The move comes as the pub owners prepare to tear down the badly-charred remains of the building before returning the land to the owner. The lease expired after five years of operation, during which the pub became one of the most popular and luxurious entertainment outlets in the Ekamai area of Watthana district.

The club's owners have been accused of violating building control laws after they modified the pub without permission from city officials. City Hall has found three officials from the Public Works Department at fault for failing to inspect the illegally modified building.

After the pub was razed in a fire during a New Year's party that killed 66 people, engineering experts found it lacked a standard fire control system and its interior design might have contributed to the large death toll.The PACC is preparing to forward its findings on the allegation to the Department of Special Investigation on Friday.

[dannyboy]

By Jonathan Head

BBC News, Bangkok

Two parallel investigations were set up into what sparked the fire

It was just after midnight in the Santika, a popular Bangkok night-club stylishly decorated like a faux-gothic church.

A crowd numbering around 1,000 packed the dance floor, cheering in the New Year to the pounding music of a band called Burn. The name was to prove tragically apt.

Many of the revellers held lit sparklers, which they waved in the air along to the beat. Fireworks were set off from the stage.

Some of the party-goers began looking up at the ceiling. There were what looked like flames, not big at first, flickering around the top of the stage set.

Was this part of the show? It was not.

"I felt hot on my head," said Tak, who was at the club with her Australian fiance.

"I looked up at a small fire in the ceiling - then after a few seconds, 'voooom', there were lots of flames, everyone ran at the same time, and then the lights went off."

Video from a security camera inside the club showed burning debris raining down from the ceiling on to the crowd.

Choking through the smoke and stumbling in the dark, often over the bodies of people who had collapsed, Tak made her way to the single exit, and out into the night air.

The fire brigade were at the club within minutes, but the building was already a blazing inferno.

Disturbing details

Sixty-six people died that night, trapped in a building with no sprinklers, no fire exits and no emergency lights.

Shocked by such a toll in a city whose lively nightlife is a big draw for foreign tourists, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva toured the ruins of the Santika the next day and vowed a thorough investigation.

Three months later, there has been little progress.

The police investigation focused on trying to find who started the fire.

Eyewitness video shows emergency services at the scene

The police pinned the blame on the lead singer of Burn, charging him with setting off fireworks, even though the security camera video showed they were ignited automatically.

They charged the club's owners with recklessness, and with admitting people under 20 years old.

But a parallel investigation set up by the Ministry of Justice revealed far more disturbing details. The Santika, it turned out, was licensed as a private residence, not a club.

It was operating in a zone where nightclubs were banned. The city architect's signature approving the building design had been forged.

And because it was officially just a house - despite being one of Bangkok's best-known and most conspicuous nightclubs - there had been no fire safety inspections.

The place was a death-trap.

This inquiry discovered something else. The owners of the Santika had applied in 2004 for a licence to operate as an entertainment venue, but had been refused by the police.

The police filed 47 charges of operating illegally against the club owners from June 2004 until 17 September 2006.

But after that date there was no further police action against the club, one of whose recent shareholders, clearly listed in company documents, is a senior police officer, Colonel Prayont Lasua.

Bureaucracy and bribes

Chuwit Kamolvisit is one of Bangkok's most colourful characters - a perennial candidate for mayor and a man who has made a fortune out of the city's notorious night-life.

Party-goers emerged bruised and burned from the fire on New Year's Eve

He is also one of the few people willing to speak openly about official corruption, of which he has had plenty of personal experience.

"The police in Thailand are businessmen, not policemen," he said.

"They don't work for society, they work for their own pocket.

"When you have a residential permit you build it, and you change the purpose, alright? Nobody cares. Nobody worries, because you go the police and you pay the police."

Mr Chuwit explained that the bureaucracy involved in running a nightclub legally was so convoluted and expensive it was much easier just to pay bribes and operate illegally.

There is no evidence to show that bribes were paid by the Santika's owners, nor is there any evidence to suggest that Colonel Prayont Lasua has used his position as a senior officer to halt police action against the club.

But the failure by the police and the city authorities to act against a club that was so obviously illegal is hard to explain.

Repeated requests by the BBC for interviews with the police and the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) have been turned down.

And now that second investigation has been stopped.

In February it was handed over entirely to the police, the very agency implicated in the safety lapses, and whose earlier efforts have been widely ridiculed.

'Informal style'

Minister of Justice Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said it was normal practice in any crime for the police to handle it, even if they are implicated.

They have to be willing to expose any of their own officers connected to the crime, he said.

But officials inside the ministry have told the BBC that privately Mr Pirapan is furious that the police have regained control of the investigation and that he wants it handed back to the DSI, Thailand's equivalent of the FBI, which comes directly under his authority.

At the time of writing, that has still not happened.

So how safe are the hundreds of other clubs still running every night in Bangkok, thronged with locals and foreigners?

Under a new law passed at the end of 2007, all public buildings have to be inspected for safety, and of the nearly 6,000 in Bangkok, around half have already been checked.

But according to the BMA, none of those was a pub or nightclub - and even then, only 200 buildings passed their inspection.

"If you go to a nightclub in Bangkok, and you want to be safe, always check where the exit is, and stay close to it," says Prasong Tharachai, from the Engineering Institute of Thailand.

Improving fire safety would not be expensive, he argues. He hopes that after the Santika tragedy that will now happen.

But Chuwit Kamolvisit doubts it ever will. "We prefer things to be informal," he said. "That is the Thai style."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7981841.stm

[PeeMarc]

by the time any politician, policeman or army person works their way up to a position of any influence, they would already be so worn down by a system of total graft, skullduggery and corruption all around them, that it would be virtually impossible to make change, no matter how originally honest and good hearted they are. I cant see this changing for a very long time.

Seems to me that anyone who joins the police or army in Thailand is fully aware they are joining the most powerful and filthy mafia in this country. Its made so obvious from the top all the way down to street level every day. I really dont know how the police or army people here can look their fellow Thai in the eyes (or themselves) without feeling deep shame. Yes, the love of money is certainly the root of all evil.

And so, most people will say "mai pen rai" or "arai kor dai" or "not my problem". And so the disgusting evil continues and like dog **** on the pavement, we just avoid it, walk around it and hope we dont get any on our shoes. But everyone can smell it every day anyway.

And behind every lovely smile here, there must be a certain amount of guilt and shame about all of this, since these turds and scum are someones brother, son, father, uncle or cousin who are allowed (even encouraged and admired) to continue to pilfer and rape this beautiful country so easily and openly.

Its no wonder many temples are showered in money and topped in gold from merit-making, in some glib hope that somehow Lord Buddha would forgive their souls. How ironic that Lord Buddha himself turned his back and walked away from greed and corruption and now is begged to forgive those who live and prosper by it.

T.I.T.

[Crustyjuggler]

by the time any politician, policeman or army person works their way up to a position of any influence, they would already be so worn down by a system of total graft, skullduggery and corruption all around them, that it would be virtually impossible to make change, no matter how originally honest and good hearted they are. I cant see this changing for a very long time.

Seems to me that anyone who joins the police or army in Thailand is fully aware they are joining the most powerful and filthy mafia in this country. Its made so obvious from the top all the way down to street level every day. I really dont know how the police or army people here can look their fellow Thai in the eyes (or themselves) without feeling deep shame. Yes, the love of money is certainly the route of all evil.

And so, most people will say "mai pen rai" or "arai kor dai" or "not my problem". And so the disgusting evil continues and like dog sh*t on the pavement, we just avoid it, walk around it and hope we dont get any on our shoes. But everyone can smell it every day anyway.

And behind every lovely smile here, there must be a certain amount of guilt about all of this, since these turds and scum are someones brother, son, father, uncle or cousin who are allowed to continue to pilfer and rape this beautiful country so easily and openly.

T.I.T.

Anyone of us whose been here for any length of time would have to agree with that. I always feel angry whenever i hear: "you must respect Thai culture".... i bite my lip every time.

[SiamHotel]

In PeeMarc (& Co...)'s shoes :

... someones brother, son, father, uncle or cousin who are allowed to continue to pilfer and rape this beautiful country so easily and openly. Its no wonder many temples are showered in money and topped in gold from merit-making, in some glib hope that somehow Lord Buddha would forgive their souls.

>> "Some of them want to use you, some of them want to get used by you".....

dont know how the police or army people here can look their fellow Thai in the eyes (or themselves) without feeling deep shame.

....... ah the blessing of NOT having to do that because "this is our culture" haha!

And so, most people will say "mai pen rai" or "arai kor dai" or "not my problem". And so the disgusting evil continues and like dog sh*t on the pavement, we just avoid it, walk around it and hope we dont get any on our shoes. But everyone can smell it every day anyway.

>> "Should I stay or should I go"............... !!!!

** for "bona fide" farangs only!! :twisted:

[SiamHotel]

... whenever i hear: "you must respect Thai culture".... i bite my lip every time.

COULDN'T CARE LESS hmm...."si_x6" :wink:

I WASN'T BORN HERE

thx buddha :!: 8)

[vbroker]

In PeeMarc (& Co...)'s shoes :

... someones brother, son, father, uncle or cousin who are allowed to continue to pilfer and rape this beautiful country so easily and openly. Its no wonder many temples are showered in money and topped in gold from merit-making, in some glib hope that somehow Lord Buddha would forgive their souls.

>> "Some of them want to use you, some of them want to get used by you".....

dont know how the police or army people here can look their fellow Thai in the eyes (or themselves) without feeling deep shame.

....... ah the blessing of NOT having to do that because "this is our culture" haha!

And so, most people will say "mai pen rai" or "arai kor dai" or "not my problem". And so the disgusting evil continues and like dog sh*t on the pavement, we just avoid it, walk around it and hope we dont get any on our shoes. But everyone can smell it every day anyway.

>> "Should I stay or should I go"............... !!!!

** for "bona fide" farangs only!! :twisted:

Nice to see the gibberish posts have (for now) gone by the wayside.

As for the "Thai way," or culture and their insistence you respect it, I'd say it's a bit ridiculous to choose to live there, because of and acquire all the "benefits," know those benefits are inextricably linked to all the extraneous nonsense there and then complain about it. Such is the human condition though.......

It may be the best you can do to know where all (the only) exit(s) are and be prepared to make a beeline in case of emergency. The rest is irrelevant....unless you're Thai.

[Neo]

by the time any politician, policeman or army person works their way up to a position of any influence, they would already be so worn down by a system of total graft, skullduggery and corruption all around them, that it would be virtually impossible to make change, no matter how originally honest and good hearted they are. I cant see this changing for a very long time.

...

T.I.T.

Good post.

Tea-money is a deeply rooted part of Thai society. Seems that in some ways Thailand is still the feudal society that it was 500 years ago. But along with the benefits of being further up the ladder in a feudal society comes the responsibility to those below. With the boys in brown it appears that greed has overcome that responsibility. In this case, to horribly tragic effect.

[SiamHotel]

As for the "Thai way," or culture and their insistence you respect it, I'd say it's a bit ridiculous to choose to live there, because of and acquire all the "benefits," know those benefits are inextricably linked to all the extraneous nonsense there and then complain about it. Such is the human condition though.......

crystal clear & couldn't agree more, in fact in this land i stay miles away from pale faced "serial whiners & tossers" -- full of them around, most of whom have an hidden agenda anyway....

to cut a long story short this time it wasn't my decision to stay in "post-decadence thailand".... global financial meltdown & stuff you know, and obviously the frustration &/+ boredom are mounting. been there done that, well for over two decades now... but no matter what *sabai sabai* works veery fine with me.... so do the music metaphors 8)

It may be the best you can do to know where all (the only) exit(s) are and be prepared to make a beeline in case of emergency. The rest is irrelevant....unless you're Thai.

thumbs up bello! i'm *personally* already there, VIVA CHILE y ARGENTINA!! :twisted:

[SiamHotel]

VIVA CHILE y ARGENTINA!! :twisted:

sxorry zantika's "people" this was a SPIN-OFF.... OF the topic... minchia ;!

[LakeGeneve]

by the time any politician, policeman or army person works their way up to a position of any influence, they would already be so worn down by a system of total graft, skullduggery and corruption all around them, that it would be virtually impossible to make change, no matter how originally honest and good hearted they are. I cant see this changing for a very long time.

Seems to me that anyone who joins the police or army in Thailand is fully aware they are joining the most powerful and filthy mafia in this country. Its made so obvious from the top all the way down to street level every day. I really dont know how the police or army people here can look their fellow Thai in the eyes (or themselves) without feeling deep shame. Yes, the love of money is certainly the root of all evil.

And so, most people will say "mai pen rai" or "arai kor dai" or "not my problem". And so the disgusting evil continues and like dog sh*t on the pavement, we just avoid it, walk around it and hope we dont get any on our shoes. But everyone can smell it every day anyway.

And behind every lovely smile here, there must be a certain amount of guilt and shame about all of this, since these turds and scum are someones brother, son, father, uncle or cousin who are allowed (even encouraged and admired) to continue to pilfer and rape this beautiful country so easily and openly.

Its no wonder many temples are showered in money and topped in gold from merit-making, in some glib hope that somehow Lord Buddha would forgive their souls. How ironic that Lord Buddha himself turned his back and walked away from greed and corruption and now is begged to forgive those who live and prosper by it.

T.I.T.

Excellent post Marc and very true indeed. Perhaps, I would just add in the civil service as another signifciant cog in the gravy train given how many ordinary administrative processes move quicker with an 'extra' payment.

Amazing to think that Indonesia - which was always worse than Thailand on the corruption front - has made some progress in the last few years, yet Thailand seems to be becoming more efficient and sophisticated in the types of corruption taking place.

Sometimes, it is too depressing when you think about how it all works.

[PeeMarc]

by the time any politician, policeman or army person works their way up to a position of any influence, they would already be so worn down by a system of total graft, skullduggery and corruption all around them, that it would be virtually impossible to make change, no matter how originally honest and good hearted they are. I cant see this changing for a very long time.

Seems to me that anyone who joins the police or army in Thailand is fully aware they are joining the most powerful and filthy mafia in this country. Its made so obvious from the top all the way down to street level every day. I really dont know how the police or army people here can look their fellow Thai in the eyes (or themselves) without feeling deep shame. Yes, the love of money is certainly the root of all evil.

And so, most people will say "mai pen rai" or "arai kor dai" or "not my problem". And so the disgusting evil continues and like dog sh*t on the pavement, we just avoid it, walk around it and hope we dont get any on our shoes. But everyone can smell it every day anyway.

And behind every lovely smile here, there must be a certain amount of guilt and shame about all of this, since these turds and scum are someones brother, son, father, uncle or cousin who are allowed (even encouraged and admired) to continue to pilfer and rape this beautiful country so easily and openly.

Its no wonder many temples are showered in money and topped in gold from merit-making, in some glib hope that somehow Lord Buddha would forgive their souls. How ironic that Lord Buddha himself turned his back and walked away from greed and corruption and now is begged to forgive those who live and prosper by it.

T.I.T.

Excellent post Marc and very true indeed. Perhaps, I would just add in the civil service as another signifciant cog in the gravy train given how many ordinary administrative processes move quicker with an 'extra' payment.

Amazing to think that Indonesia - which was always worse than Thailand on the corruption front - has made some progress in the last few years, yet Thailand seems to be becoming more efficient and sophisticated in the types of corruption taking place.

Sometimes, it is too depressing when you think about how it all works.

having worked and lived in indonesia and malaysia its interesting to note that both those countries would be totally f**ked without the chinese immigrants (whom the locals tend to despise). Unfortunately the locals would rather take handouts, jobs for the boys, go eat, look cool, be big shots and have psuedo titles, the chinese carry on working enormous hours and make fortunes. The locals tend to be corrupt and use go-slow tactics and have sabai sabai ways (indo/malay 'rubber time). Reminds me a lot of Thailand.

I was once told that SE Asia can be split between those who eat with chopsticks and those who eat with spoon and fork. I now know which one i would rely on more to just get a job done.

[LakeGeneve]

Long article in todays Spectrum which is worth a depressing read as we should not forget those who were killed or injured, nor the fight of their loved ones who still seek justice.

Extract;

The fight for justice in the Santika pub tragedy

The struggle to find the truth for relatives of the victims of the Santika pub fire is a long way off 9/08/2009

Eight months after the Santika nightclub inferno killed 66 people, not one person is in custody and a rock singer accused of causing the tragedy by setting off fireworks is calling for his own justice.

Five Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials, who an inquiry commission recommended in April should face disciplinary measures for recklessly violating building controls, have not been punished as a "fact-finding" panel into their cases has not been established.

Two of the major shareholders in the club which was razed on New Year's Eve have been charged; one is free on bail and the other, later revealed to be a carpark attendant, is on the run.

In the horror and disbelief that followed the blaze, politicians, policemen and city officials wrung their hands in front of the TV cameras and swore that justice would be done and there would be no repeat of the senseless deaths.

But 61-year-old Esther Laopikanon, a retired UN officer, won't forget. She lost her son Mark, a 27-year-old customer relations officer, in the fire; her sorrow compounded by a seemingly impossible search for justice.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investigation/21763/the-fight-for-justice-in-the-santika-pub-tragedy

[LakeGeneve]

What a complete insult to victims families!

Publican offers 30,000 baht Bkk Post 27/08/2009

The owner of the Santika pub - which erupted into a deadly inferno in the first few seconds of this year - has told a court he could offer just 30,000 baht in compensation to relatives of the dead and to surviving victims.

The blaze killed 66 people and injured hundreds. The offer was part of a second round of court settlement talks between pub owner and operator Suriya Ritrabue and the victims at Phra Khanong Provincial Court yesterday. A lawyer representing Mr Suriya told complainants the pub owner had no more money to pay compensation.

Families affected by the Santika fire have filed seven civil suits against Mr Suriya demanding compensation totalling 105.7 million baht. But the initial court settlement process was required before civil suits could begin. The lawyer said the pub owner could not afford to pay more than his offer but a victim who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the management and business partners of the pub should share responsibility to compensate fire victims.

Chairat Saeng-arun, who is an adviser to the Foundation for Consumers that has supported the Santika fire victims' fight for compensation, said the pub owner would be given one last chance to make an acceptable offer in the next court settlement negotiation set for Nov 25.

If the talks fail again, victims and relatives of the dead would launch legal proceedings against the 33 Santika pub management members and business partners who should be held responsible for the consequences of the fire, Mr Chairat said.

More than eight months after the inferno, no victims have received compensation. Forty more complaints have been lodged against the pub operator.

[PJack]

What a complete insult to victims families!

Publican offers 30,000 baht Bkk Post 27/08/2009

The owner of the Santika pub - which erupted into a deadly inferno in the first few seconds of this year - has told a court he could offer just 30,000 baht in compensation to relatives of the dead and to surviving victims.

The blaze killed 66 people and injured hundreds. The offer was part of a second round of court settlement talks between pub owner and operator Suriya Ritrabue and the victims at Phra Khanong Provincial Court yesterday. A lawyer representing Mr Suriya told complainants the pub owner had no more money to pay compensation.

Families affected by the Santika fire have filed seven civil suits against Mr Suriya demanding compensation totalling 105.7 million baht. But the initial court settlement process was required before civil suits could begin. The lawyer said the pub owner could not afford to pay more than his offer but a victim who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the management and business partners of the pub should share responsibility to compensate fire victims.

Chairat Saeng-arun, who is an adviser to the Foundation for Consumers that has supported the Santika fire victims' fight for compensation, said the pub owner would be given one last chance to make an acceptable offer in the next court settlement negotiation set for Nov 25.

If the talks fail again, victims and relatives of the dead would launch legal proceedings against the 33 Santika pub management members and business partners who should be held responsible for the consequences of the fire, Mr Chairat said.

More than eight months after the inferno, no victims have received compensation. Forty more complaints have been lodged against the pub operator.

Its about what to expect from someone who would run a club like that. The real question is will Thailand ever get its sh*t sorted out with building regulations, civil codes, and public safety. Its not rocket science, and its serious enough to forego the money they make through corruption. Morality, integrity, public service.... wtf?

[primetime]

Utterly disgusting. Even more disgusting if that is 30,000 in total,not 30,000 per person. Not sure how to read the headline.

[LakeGeneve]

Hard to believe that police have still yet to interview 5/6 witnesses in this tragic event even though 9 months has passed! Ok it is unfortunately not hard to believe.

And WTF does the PM get the report? Can the police not prosecute an investigation by forwarding the case to the prosecutors without political interference?

Santika probe nears an end - Only a few witnesses left to be questioned

1/09/2009

The police expect to wrap up their investigation this week into the Santika pub inferno. Pol Maj Gen Likhit Lin-ouan, the deputy city police commissioner heading the team investigating the fire at Santika pub on Soi Ekamai in the first few minutes of Jan 1, 2009, said officers would question another five or six witnesses, including those injured in the fire, before submitting their report to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Video footage of the incident would be shown to witnesses to help police verify the facts, he said, after calling a meeting with his team to discuss the progress of their inquiries. The blaze, which erupted as revellers celebrated the New Year, killed 66 people and injured hundreds of others.

A police team has been sent to track down Suriya Ritrabue, the managing director of White and Brothers, the pub operator, who is still on the run, Pol Maj Gen Likhit said.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat yesterday said teams had been set up in Bangkok and other provinces to inspect safety measures at pubs and night entertainment venues. There were six teams in Bangkok and 11 others in the provinces, said the deputy minister after chairing a meeting with a ministry panel inspecting pubs and entertainment venues.

He said the teams had been set up to prevent a recurrence of the Santika fire. Fire drills were held yesterday at two major pubs in Bangkok. Mr Boonjong said the teams would not arrest anybody during their inspections. They would educate operators and visitors about safety measures and insurance policies. He said operators of entertainment venues would be required to take out public liability insurance.

The ministry had reached a conclusion on the public liability insurance fees, which would vary depending on the size and type of business, Mr Boonjong said. Entertainment venues required to take out insurance cover would include those with dance shows, which would pay 10,000 baht a year; venues with food and alcohol served by staff (8,000 baht); massage parlours (10,000 baht), venues with an area of up to 300 square metres and selling food and alcohol (8,000 baht); and venues with an area of more than 300sqm (10,000 baht).

He said the insurance cover would provide at least 100,000 baht a person to a third party in case of death or complete disability and medical coverage of at least 100,000 baht a person to the injured. Outlets would also be required to take out insurance of at least 5 million baht covering patrons' personal property. More than 30 insurance firms have shown an interest in providing coverage which would cover fires, bombs and building collapse, he said.

[LakeGeneve]

Seems that the tragically named bands singer will cop most of the blame?

Santika inferno probe ready for prosecutor The Nation September 22, 2009

The Metropolitan Police are ready to submit to the public prosecutor details of the Santika Pub's New Year Eve inferno, in which 66 people died and over 200 were injured. The prosecution is expected to take action against a number of accused, including the pub's major shareholder Wisuk Setsawat and Burn band's lead singer Saravuth Ariya.

After the investigating team met for the final time yesterday, Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Maj General Likhit Klinouan said investigators' had now completed their findings on the suspects and their alleged offences. Among the people initially charged were Wisuk, Suriya Ritrabeu managing director of White and Brothers Co which ran the club, and the singer Saravuth. He said Suriya, who remains on the run, was a nominee of Wisuk.

Likhit said that fireworks and special effects experts joined the meeting to examine the security camera footage on the night before the tragic incident. "The visual details the investigators had were in line with the camera footage on the day obtained from Justice Ministry's Forensic Science Institute chief Porntip Rojanasunan. "The investigators also considered whether Saravuth started the fire as accused, studying evidence backing their claims to ensure justice for the suspects and those who died in the fire," he said.

Likhit said the case investigation and evidence gathering was nearly 100 per cent complete and police had strong evidence that could be explained transparently so they could take legal action against the accused.

[LakeGeneve]

7 indicted over Santika pub fire disaster 20/10/2009 Bangkok Post

Police investigators have recommended that seven people be indicted in connection with the Santika pub blaze which killed 66 people and injured hundreds during this year's New Year celebrations.

Pol Maj Gen Likhit Klin-uan, the former deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau who headed the investigation, said the suspects would be summoned to acknowledge the charges.

Those facing indictment include pub shareholder Wisuk Setsawat; managing director of White and Brothers Co, which managed the pub, Suriya Ritrabue; lead singer of the band Burn Saravuth Ariya; and stage effects maker Bunchoo Laosrinart. Pol Maj Gen Likhit, who retired at the end of last month, said the investigation report was complete.

The investigation found fireworks were to blame for the tragedy, with a number of witnesses saying they saw Mr Saravuth light a firework at the same time as a pyrotechnic stage effect was released.

[LakeGeneve]

The long wait continues....

QUESTIONS STILL LINGER AFTER THE SANTIKA BLAZE

Injured victims still nursing scars, as criminal action against culprits stalls 3/01/2010 Post

New Year's Eve 2008 should have been a joyous moment for hundreds of young people who packed the Santika nightclub in Ekamai, but for many it turned out to be a nightmare that has not ended. One year on, survivors of the horrific blaze which claimed 66 lives are still struggling to pick up the pieces of their broken lives. ''I cannot expose myself to the sunlight much because my skin is still very sensitive,'' says Gib, 21, an engineering student who suffered burns to most of her body.

Gib was among hundreds of revellers who joined the the party at Santika that night which, ironically, doubled as a farewell bash for the popular nightspot. She may have been fortunate to survive the blaze, but it has been difficult to resume a normal life.

Skin grafts have been taken from undamaged parts of her body which has meant spending several months in hospital. Despite this, her wounds still bleed, causing Gib severe pain. She has trouble walking and struggles to pick up objects due to the severe burns on her hands.

Her mother has to care for her, which is a physical, financial and mental burden on the whole family ''It was my first visit there,'' Gib says, recalling the night of the fire. ''We are young, we just wanted to go to a party to have some fun at New Year.''

The Engineering Institute of Thailand's sub-panel on building safety standards conducted a probe of the blaze. Chairman Pichaya Chantranuwat, said 229 people were injured, and of the 66 people killed, 55 died instantly.

Mr Pichaya, who proposed the findings to the National Safety Council of Thailand, where he serves as vice-chairman of a sub-panel on accident research and development, said the Santika fire demonstrated many flaws regarding fire safety at entertainment venues. While Santika was housed in a brick building with a sheet metal roof, combustible materials were used to soundproof the walls and the roof.

Autopsies on the bodies showed these materials released smoke and toxic gases when they caught alight, which caused many people to lose consciousness and choke to death. The probe also found safety failings including insufficient entrances and exits to cope with crowd numbers.

The building also contained no fire exit signs, no emergency lights, no fire alarm system and no sprinkler system. There were three fire extinguishers, two of which still had the valves intact. No regulations were in place setting patron limits at entertainment venues such as Santika. About 200-300 revellers visited Santika on week days. The number shot up to 800-1,000 on Fridays and Saturdays and climbed to 1,200 on special days, the report said.

Mr Pichaya's probe also found poor communication and coordination among rescue teams. When the fire started, eyewitnesses did not report it to the fire-rescue Rama Centre, but instead called Thong Lor Police Station. This delayed firefighters from the main fire stations at Phra Khanong and Bang Kapi from reaching the scene.

Nor were the firefighters well-equipped, the probe found. ''The Santika incident demonstrated several mistakes and flaws. If they had been addressed earlier, there should not have been as much damage,'' Mr Pichaya said.

Along with staff from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, he has developed a new regulation to better control entertainment venues. The regulation outlines fire safety requirements including installation of fire alarm systems, extinguishers, fire exits and signs, emergency lights and patron limits. ''We have had a lesson and we are trying to learn from it,'' said Mr Pichaya. The regulations are now before the Council of State, the government's legal advisory arm.

However, little progress has been made in criminal cases resulting from the fire. Police have concluded their investigations and forwarded them to prosecutors for a decision on whether to take further action against at least five people, including the club owner.

Chairat Sang-aron, a lawyer from the Lawyers Council of Thailand, who has helped victims file civil lawsuits, said the club owner has offered only 30,000 baht in compensation to victims.They are preparing to negotiate further next month, he said.

RAW PAIN: A victim of the Santika pub fire which killed 66 people and injured hundreds, just minutes after revellers welcomed in 2009, shows scars on her arms. PHOTO: SOMCHAI POOMLARD

[LakeGeneve]

Seems that not all of the 'owners' of Santika have been charged.....? Could it be that someone who wears a brown uniform get a free pass. :roll:

Seven people indicted over Santika club fire

Published: 17/02/2010 at 03:58 PM Bkk Post

The prosecution on Wednesday arraigned seven people in the South Bangkok Criminal Court in connection with the Santika Pub fire during the 2009 New Year celebration in which 66 people died and more than 200 were injured.

They are: Wisuk Setsawat, an executive of Santika Pub; Suriya Ritrabue, owner of White and Brothers (2003) Co which ran the pub; Thawatchai Srithumma, the pub's general manager; Pongthep Jinda, the entertainment manager; Puthipong Walailikree, the marketing manager; Saravuth Ariya, lead singer of the band Burn; and Boonchu Laosihart of the Focus Light Soud System Co, which provided special effects for the event.

They are charged with carelessness leading to deaths and injuries.

The charges came after police and authorities faced strong criticism for failing to more swiftly pursue justice for the victims.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/168788/7-indicted-over-club-fire

[CuTieGirL]

Sad but true. There might never be fair and pure justice in Thailand when the country is full of corruptions. I wish things will be different, but it doesn't seem to happen that soon.

[vbroker]

Sad but true. There might never be fair and pure justice in Thailand when the country is full of corruptions. I wish things will be different, but it doesn't seem to happen that soon.

I'm not sure if you're Thai, Teerak, but it's up to ALL Thais (esp. the few educated there) to get their act together as a community. To throw up your hands and/or cover your face saying, "I wish things will be different, but it doesn't seem to happen that soon" is pathetic. You're all saying in effect, "Oh poor Thailand and all of its mostly solvable problems, but there's nothing I can do" is a sad, often used, poor excuse there. It's easy to point fingers, shake your head, sigh and ultimately, do nothing. That's why those in power there know they can do nothing, continue the status quo (make no changes) and KEEP power. They know they won't be held to account.

There IS something you and everyone there can do. Refuse to accept your country will remain mired in the Third World as more than half its population is uneducated . Demand your political leaders tackle the universal education problem OR find new leaders who will. If you (meaning Thais) continue the present course, namely do nothing and accept things as they are what makes you think ANYTHING will ever change?