A small fire broke out on the 4th floor of the parliament building yesterday, allegedly caused by a member of parliament who discarded a lit cigarette butt in rubbish bin.
The fire, which started in an open-air relaxation area near the Senate wing, damaged a portion of the wooden flooring and left soot traces on the ceiling.
The building’s sprinkler system was triggered, containing the flames before they spread further.
Chalard Karmchuang, a deputy House speaker, said it was fortunate that the incident occurred in an open area, but it must be investigated thoroughly.
"The secretary-general’s office has reported to the House Speaker. All evidence will be handed over to the Forensic Science Division to determine the exact cause. We cannot let this go unchecked," he proclaimed.
The entire Parliament compound has been designated as a 100% smoke-free zone since early 2025.
