Following the tragic nightclub fire in Chon Buri and another recent fire incident in the Silom district, Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, has ordered all 50 districts to conduct safety checks at entertainment venues.
Since the incident at Silom Soi 2 in June, I have asked relevant agencies to investigate entertainment venues for fire escapes, fire protection equipment, and expired electrical lines, Chadchart Sittipunt told reporters.
The governor provided an update on the citywide assessment of entertainment venues’ safety on Saturday, stating that he has received 400 reports so far, with 83 spots deemed hazardous and ordered to cease operations.
The governor of Bangkok stated that the fire at Mountain B in Sattahip, east of Bangkok, served as a warning that such fires are possible and must be averted in Bangkok, which has several entertainment venues.
He stated that the city is emphasizing the preparedness of fire escapes, especially their visibility to customers, and that the police have been requested to assist with the checks.
“We cannot be negligent about this, especially as we prepare to reopen the city to the returning tourists,” he added.
Mr. Chadchart responded to the early Friday morning fire at the Mountain B bar in Sattahip, which resulted in 15 fatalities and 37 injuries, expressing his sympathies for the loss of life and property.
Concerns have been made over the lack of fire escapes and the usage of combustible soundproofing materials in the Sattahip incident. In addition, it was discovered that the establishment lacked a license to operate as a bar.
Chadchart stated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will also utilize this occasion to search for illicit businesses.
Mr. Chadchart noted that he had urged for greater checks in the capital after a fire broke out in a six-story building on Silom Road on June 7, saying that the Sattahip disaster should have been prevented.
“Most certified entertainment venues have fire exits that comply with the legislation, but some of them have permitted chairs and tables to block these exits despite the fact that they were clearly labeled as exits,” he stated.
This was the situation at the bar in Silom Soi 2 where there was an escape, but it was blocked by tables, and these proactive inspections will ensure that these exits can be used effectively in the event of a fire.
As one of the Bangkok governor’s advisers and a former permanent secretary of defense, Police General Adit Ngamjitsuksri had been given instructions by Chadchart to increase the city’s fire inspection efforts by cooperating more closely with local police in each area and conducting proactive examinations.
