The actual owner of the Mountain B pub, which burned down and killed at least 19 people on August 5, has surrendered to police after a warrant for his arrest was issued.
The pub owner, identified as Somyos Panprasong, reported to the Phlu Ta Lung police in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, at around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The 55-year-old man was with his lawyer, Mr. Jakrit Jindarat.
Mr. Somyos was charged with recklessness, opening and operating an entertainment venue without a permit, and causing death and injury. He initially denied the charges but remained in custody by authorities pending further investigation.
The charges relate to the fatal Mountain B pub fire on August 5, which claimed at least 19 lives and seriously injured many more patrons.
Mr. Somyos surrendered to police after the Pattaya Court issued an arrest warrant for him on Monday, officers said.
The authorities explained that the order had been issued after investigators discovered that Mr. Somyos was actually the entertainment venue’s owner and investor. His 27-year-old son Pongsiri Panprasing was arrested first, but he only operated the pub.
Before Mr. Somyos surrendered, a police team executed a search warrant at his home at Soi Thamwithaya 1 in Tambon Sattahip. The move is believed to have come in response to social media rumors that the man was planning to flee the country.
Local media reported that over 10 Chon Buri Provincial Police officers complied with the search warrant and went to the property, responding to flight risk. Unconfirmed social media reports later said that the man planned to surrender.
After Mr. Somyos turned himself in, he was questioned and taken into police custody for a search of his Sattahip home. However, he was taken back to the police station in Plutaluang for further investigation.
The pub owner told reporters that he had not fled the summons as rumors on social media said, explaining that he was in another province at the time. Mr. Somyos stated that he was quick to turn himself in when he learned of the arrest warrant, insisting that he had never been in legal or criminal trouble in his life, as he was a law-abiding citizen.
During the interview, he said in a shaky voice that he loved his son. “No matter what. I have to fight together with my child until the end and will provide financial remedies for the victims of the Mountain B fire as much as I can.”
