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Pheu Thai party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit checks the disco today

Phuket Tiger Blaze Probe Results 'to be Revealed on Monday'

Saturday, August 18, 2012
PHUKET: Investigators will deliver a report on the causes and consequences of the Phuket Tiger Disco inferno on Monday, Thailand's most prominent government party spokesman said today.

The rapid-fire response was promised by Pheu Thai party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit as he toured the blackened upstairs nightclub where four people were killed in Patong.

''We don't want tourists to die on Phuket,'' he said.

There were 198 entertainment venues on Phuket and every one of them now needed checking to make sure they met building construction and safety standards, he said.

A combined team from Patong municipal council and the Phuket Provincial administration will undertake the task immediately, he added.

Some of the nightclubs had used foam as insulation to reduce noise, he said. Rules governing the safety of patrons could not be overlooked or misinterpreted.

''Phuket is international, so with this happening, it will definitely affect tourism,'' he said. Reports of the disaster have been carried worldwide in many languages.

The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning is reviewing building permissions for the Tiger Disco and will reveal the results of their probe on Monday.

It's widely known that bribes allow Patong venues to open long past the 2am deadline for closing. With corruption accepted as a part of doing business in Patong, it's to be hoped that investigations continue and spread as widely as possible.

The tragedy may even provoke action in other areas, including beach safety - there have been eight drownings on Phuket's popular west coast beaches since mid-May.

Governor Tri Augkaradacha is scheduled to visit French fire victim Benjamin Tallanotte, 30, in intensive care at Bangkok Hospital Phuket tomorrow.

Mr Tallanotte, the only injured victim still in hospital, suffered second degree burns to 40 percent of his body.

The unrecognisable bodies of the four victims, being taken in a small van to Bangkok so experts can identify them, should reach the capital around 11pm tonight.

Comments

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I thought Experts were being brought in from outside the Patong sphere of influence to carry out a full and thorough unbiased investigations into this tragedy, guess that's changed.

Posted by Scunner on August 19, 2012 02:09

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" There were 198 entertainment venues on Phuket and every one of them now needed checking to make sure they met bulding construction and safety standards, he said. "
Usually, BEFORE to give the permission to operate in the venues or in public entertainments, authorities have to test if they meet building construction and safety standards, not after a tragedy happened! If the competent and qualified authorities haven't done it, they are also responsibile for the death of the people.

Posted by Coralie on August 19, 2012 07:54

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I don't see any reason why Thai experts should not be trusted, it is however important that the experts are external so that any suspicion of a local cover up can be ruled out....we were already informed by PW that the Bangkok Post reports the ''mayor Pian Keesin, revealed that the municipal office had no record of the disco's original design application. But he was confident the venue was operating legally and had met safety requirements." so essential paperwork seems to missing, what else ?

Posted by Bjarne on August 19, 2012 07:57

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@Coralie
"Usually, BEFORE to give the permission to operate in the venues or in public entertainments, authorities have to test if they meet building construction and safety standards"
That was done before the opening. With a big check, for sure. And with another check, every now and again, they proved all the other 'needs'!

Posted by ??? on August 19, 2012 13:35


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