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Bangkok Governor Shuts 83 Pubs After Sattahip Tragedy

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered law enforcement officials to close 83 nightspots deemed “problematic” after two fires wreaked havoc in Chonburi and the Silom area of Bangkok.

On Saturday, the governor gave an update on the progress of a survey on entertainment venues’ safety. Mr. Chadchart said he had received at least 400 reports from 83 nightspots that don’t meet quality or legality standards.

Police have been asked to help with law enforcement and checks, as all pubs, bars and other night entertainment venues are required to have fire exits with signs visible to customers, he added.

Mr. Chadchart’s comments came after Mountain B pub in Sattahip burst into flames on Friday.

Around 1:00 a.m., a fire broke out inside a bar on Sukhumvit Road in Tambon Phlu Ta Luang, Chonburi’s Sattahip district. There were more than 100 customers there, local officials reported.

The flames were initially spotted on the ceiling and then moved through the soundproofing foam, witnesses stated.

The internal construction, soundproofing, decorations, stage, and roof tiles were all damaged by the fire, which also completely destroyed the building.

The accident left 15 people dead and 37 injured. Bangkok’s governor also expressed his condolences for the loss of life and property.

Authorities have launched the relevant investigations to clarify the doubts about the deadly incident since it was reported that the pub did not have emergency exits and used flammable soundproofing materials. The nighttime entertainment venue also lacked the required license to operate.

Mr. Chadchart said the Mountain B tragedy should have been prevented, noting that he had called for more controls in the capital, as another fire had broken out in a six-story building on Silom Road on June 7.

Now that the country’s reopening has brought more local and international tourists to the Thai capital, it’s essential to step up safety measures, the governor went on.

Meanwhile, the governor’s adviser Pol Maj-Gen Adisorn Ngamjitsuksri has been ordered to oversee the checks, which are set to increase from this week.