PHUKET: The dead in Phuket's Patong disco inferno are thought to be a Frenchman, a Japanese man and two Thais, Phuket police sources said tonight.
The four bodies, charred beyond identification in a 3.55am blaze at Tiger Discotheque on Patong's popular Soi Bangla walking street, are likely to be transported to Bangkok tomorrow.
In Bangkok or on Phuket, Thailand's top forensic police will determine the identity of the four victims by DNA checks, the only certain method of restoring their names.
Phuketwan was told this evening that the dead Frenchman has been identified by a wristwatch, but DNA is the only acceptable method of positive identification where extreme burns are involved.
Another Frenchman who suffered second degree burns to 40 percent of his body in the early morning fire is now being treated at Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City.
He is believed to be a friend of the dead Frenchman.
Three other French people were among 11 clubbers injured in the blaze. Two of the clubbers were admitted to Patong Hospital. The other nine were treated and allowed to leave.
Frenchman Benjamin Tallanotte, 30, swathed in bandages from head to toe, has since been transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
A Thai woman, Nudang Pramangkata, 42, is also still being treated at Patong Hospital for dizziness and hyperventilation.
The sex of the two dead victims categorised as Thais has yet to be clarified.
It is said that one body contained silicone breast implants, which could mean the victim was a woman or a ladyboy katoey transsexual.
Many katoeys are part of the nightclub scene in Patong, Phuket's west coast nightlife hub.
Thailand's forensic police are skilled in identifying burns victims because of lessons learned during the 2004 tsunami, when 5400 people died in Thailand, half of them tourists.
The Santika pub blaze in Bangkok on news year's eve 2009 in which more than 60 people died honed the burns identification skills of Thai police.
The four bodies, charred beyond identification in a 3.55am blaze at Tiger Discotheque on Patong's popular Soi Bangla walking street, are likely to be transported to Bangkok tomorrow.
In Bangkok or on Phuket, Thailand's top forensic police will determine the identity of the four victims by DNA checks, the only certain method of restoring their names.
Phuketwan was told this evening that the dead Frenchman has been identified by a wristwatch, but DNA is the only acceptable method of positive identification where extreme burns are involved.
Another Frenchman who suffered second degree burns to 40 percent of his body in the early morning fire is now being treated at Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City.
He is believed to be a friend of the dead Frenchman.
Three other French people were among 11 clubbers injured in the blaze. Two of the clubbers were admitted to Patong Hospital. The other nine were treated and allowed to leave.
Frenchman Benjamin Tallanotte, 30, swathed in bandages from head to toe, has since been transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
A Thai woman, Nudang Pramangkata, 42, is also still being treated at Patong Hospital for dizziness and hyperventilation.
The sex of the two dead victims categorised as Thais has yet to be clarified.
It is said that one body contained silicone breast implants, which could mean the victim was a woman or a ladyboy katoey transsexual.
Many katoeys are part of the nightclub scene in Patong, Phuket's west coast nightlife hub.
Thailand's forensic police are skilled in identifying burns victims because of lessons learned during the 2004 tsunami, when 5400 people died in Thailand, half of them tourists.
The Santika pub blaze in Bangkok on news year's eve 2009 in which more than 60 people died honed the burns identification skills of Thai police.
I am surprised no one has mentioned the foam decoration used on the Tiger bars used on this inside and outside of the buildings. This stuff must be highly flammable? My condolences to those who have passed and wishing a quick recovery to those who were hurt.
Posted by Jongs on August 17, 2012 23:11