The use of pyros or special light effects in entertainment venues in Bangkok during the New Year celebrations are banned and organisers of outdoor countdown events can only use fireworks with prior permission from the city’s administration.
To prevent a repeat of the Santika Club fire tragedy, city officials will check more than 650 entertainment venues in Bangkok, to make sure they strictly comply with safety standards.
66 people were killed and over 200 injured when fire swept through the Santika Club in the Ekkamai area during the 2009 New Year celebrations.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is scheduled to check pubs in the RCA area today (Tuesday), where there are many pubs, to ensure their compliance with safety rules and the readiness of officials concerned ahead of the New Year celebrations.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej said that the city’s administration will coordinate with the management of shopping malls, which plan to hold New Year countdown events, to reserve an area for city officials so they can help deal with any emergency.
She also said that the city’s administration has coordinated with the Metropolitan Police Bureau to have officers posted to the countdown events, to maintain peace and order and to improve communication in case there is a stampede.
Those who plan to be away from home for several days over the New Year are advised to check their electrical system and electrical appliances before their departure, she said, adding that they can ask the police to look after their home while they are away.
