It seems that the news has been fairly widely discussed in France, enough to generate some concern about the progress of my evening of New Year
a nightclub in Bangkok, called Santika, caught fire shortly after the passage in 2009. The balance sheet is auj'ourd'hui than sixty people dead and about 200 wounded.
That evening, we were on Central World Plaza to watch the fireworks and the final statement. We declined the invitation received for the evening at Santika, where we went regularly, not too tempted by the rush of this kind of Eve club. It's a chance.
The Santika is about 500m from my home in the "Self Ekkamai", a street spot quite a few clubs and bars. The establishment is frequented by customers fairly affluent Thais and foreigners living in Thailand.
It features a large stage on which occur every night groups, and sometimes even international local stars at special evenings.
An acquaintance here regularly. I have not heard directly but it seems he family in England for the holidays.
The place was far from something dangerous or dilapidated. Nevertheless, it appears from the evidence and my vague memories, that the emergency exits were poorly reported. For though they existed, the heavy toll of the fire is a priori related to the crush that followed the onset of the disaster, customers all rushing towards the door, too small to alone, evacuate quickly the crowd.
Now, many questions remain to be elucidated. For example, how the fire started he said? It evokes pyrotechnics used on stage ...
But the biggest question is how this club have given permission to host the public if the emergency exits were poorly reported and / or undersized?
But the biggest question is how this club have given permission to host the public if the emergency exits were poorly reported and / or undersized?
I fear that, unfortunately, we stop here to say that these issues were inadequate, ignoring the likely responsibility of the authorities to ensure safety. The scenario involving a small bribe to the inspector of fire safety would be for me no surprise.
is used here ...
I have spoken many times. Corruption at all levels and at all levels and cancer Thailand. Any policy measure, no democratic or economic progress will really advanced things as this system will remain.
The police, for example, are here become a kind of Mafia. Enforcing the law in most cases, but ready to overlook their own interests. These interests are financial (the small ticket 100 baht to avoid heavier fine to judicial harassment to extort up to the foreign "goose that lays golden eggs") or political (Taksin, former Prime Minister First flight was in police chief ... here it does not shock anyone).
the moment I managed not to participate in this system, even for trivial matters. I hope to continue.
This tragedy is an illustration of the terrible consequences that can have a simple little "arrangement".
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