ID :
107127
Wed, 02/17/2010 - 18:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/107127
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Prosecutors indict 4 persons involved in Bangkok club blaze tragedy
BANGKOK, Feb 17 (TNA) - Thai prosecutors on Wednesday indicted four persons involved in the Santika Club blaze tragedy which killed 66 New Years' Eve party-goers last year, while club executives
and other accused failed to appear to hear the indictment.
Prosecutors of the Department of Southern Bangkok Criminal Litigation earlier opted to proceed with legal action against Santika Club executives Wisuth Setsawat and Suriya Ritrabue, as well as Thawatchai Thumma, general manager in charge of club premises, Putthipong Wilakkree, marketing manager and Pongthep Chinda, entertainment manager.
Three others were Sarawut Ariya, lead singer of Santika the club's band, called "Burn", who lit the fireworks during his performance, Boonchoo Laosinat who installed the special effects and the Focus Light System company, as a juristic person, which provided special effects for the event.
All have been charged for recklessness causing other people's deaths and severe injury during the New Year countdown event, while additional charges including allowing persons aged under age 20
into the club and letting persons commit the offenses related to drugs, will be taken against the club executives and the employees.
Only four persons; Thawatchai, Pongthep, Putthipong and Sarawut appeared to hear the prosecutors' indictment. They were later sent to the Southern Bangkok Criminal Litigation for further legal proceeding.
Club executive Wisuth however did not appear to hear the charges but sent his lawyer to ask court permission for seven-day extension due to Mr Wisuth's illness.
The court later released the four accused on bail, while giving Mr Wisuth 15 days to appear, or an arrest warrant will be issued for him.
Prosecutors also sought coordination from police investigators to bring the three other accused for legal action.
Meanwhile, survivors from the Santika Club fire and families of the dead victims on Wednesday filed a complaint with the prosecutors, saying that they have not received full compensation from the club's executives.
The prosecutors however advised the victims to coordinate with the Lawyers Council of Thailand to become co-plaintiff in the compensation complaint.
Fire broke out at the two-storey Santika Club in Bangkok's Ekkamai area on January 1, 2009, just few minutes after midnight when the party-goers celebrated the New Year countdown. The incident left 66
persons dead while another hundred were injured from smoke inhalation or in the stampede as they panicked and tried to escape through the club's single exit. (TNA)
and other accused failed to appear to hear the indictment.
Prosecutors of the Department of Southern Bangkok Criminal Litigation earlier opted to proceed with legal action against Santika Club executives Wisuth Setsawat and Suriya Ritrabue, as well as Thawatchai Thumma, general manager in charge of club premises, Putthipong Wilakkree, marketing manager and Pongthep Chinda, entertainment manager.
Three others were Sarawut Ariya, lead singer of Santika the club's band, called "Burn", who lit the fireworks during his performance, Boonchoo Laosinat who installed the special effects and the Focus Light System company, as a juristic person, which provided special effects for the event.
All have been charged for recklessness causing other people's deaths and severe injury during the New Year countdown event, while additional charges including allowing persons aged under age 20
into the club and letting persons commit the offenses related to drugs, will be taken against the club executives and the employees.
Only four persons; Thawatchai, Pongthep, Putthipong and Sarawut appeared to hear the prosecutors' indictment. They were later sent to the Southern Bangkok Criminal Litigation for further legal proceeding.
Club executive Wisuth however did not appear to hear the charges but sent his lawyer to ask court permission for seven-day extension due to Mr Wisuth's illness.
The court later released the four accused on bail, while giving Mr Wisuth 15 days to appear, or an arrest warrant will be issued for him.
Prosecutors also sought coordination from police investigators to bring the three other accused for legal action.
Meanwhile, survivors from the Santika Club fire and families of the dead victims on Wednesday filed a complaint with the prosecutors, saying that they have not received full compensation from the club's executives.
The prosecutors however advised the victims to coordinate with the Lawyers Council of Thailand to become co-plaintiff in the compensation complaint.
Fire broke out at the two-storey Santika Club in Bangkok's Ekkamai area on January 1, 2009, just few minutes after midnight when the party-goers celebrated the New Year countdown. The incident left 66
persons dead while another hundred were injured from smoke inhalation or in the stampede as they panicked and tried to escape through the club's single exit. (TNA)
