Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The fire that broke out in a Bangkok nightclub, Thailand on New Year's eve, being celebrated with fireworks, left 64 dead including a Burmese citizen.

The deceased Burmese Win Kyaw Phyo (26), was an ABAC graduate and was believed to be working in Thailand. He visited the famous nightclub in Bangkok, Santika, on the fateful night for the New Year party. The nightclub was usually the haunt of well-to-do families in Bangkok.

The Santika nightclub which is located in Ekamai Soi 9, celebrated the New Year's party on  December 31. The fire started after the countdown and killed 64 and left over 200 injured, the police said.

The 'Thong Lor' police station confirmed the death of a Burmese citizen in the fire.

"Yes, we confirm his death. His family came and took away his mortal remains on January 4," he told Mizzima.

The club owner arranged to shift his club as there were difficulties for an expansion plan. Ironically, a sales promotion poster on the fateful night read, 'Goodbye Santika'.

After the New Year countdown, the revelers welcomed the New Year with fireworks reading 'Happy New Year' which later ignited the soundproof ceiling of the second floor and spread to other areas of the two storey pub.

Most of the about 1,000 revelers did not notice the club had caught fire. They  thought the fireworks were being displayed at the party, said survivors recalling their horrifying stories.

Then the light  went off suddenly and the revelers realized that the club had caught fire. They rushed to the sole exit door. Most of the victims died in the stampede and from asphyxiation, the police said.

The police chief Jongrak Jutanont said that they would take action against the club owner on grounds of negligence and criminal homicide.