Fatal disco fire probed
Phuket authorities have called for increased safety measures at all 198 registered bars, pubs and other nightlife venues registered in the Patong area following the weekend’s tragic disco fire.
A government spokesman said an examination of the Tiger disco revealed that the building’s walls were made from a flammable foam material.
Phuket governor Tri Augkaradacha has ordered all entertainment venues throughout Phuket to be inspected after the tragedy, which claimed the lives of at least four and left at least 12 others injured.
“This may sound like a case of ‘closing the stable door after the horse has bolted’, but we now have to check with all of the entertainment venues to see whether they comply with all rules and regulations,” he said.
One Briton and one Frenchman are among those who perished in the fire that broke out around 4am during a lighting strike.
Online reaction in Phuket to the fatal disco fire has been swift. “Skippy” wrote, “We were asked three years ago by an outside authority to do an unofficial fire safety audit on upstairs venues.
“We found chained fire escapes, blocked fire escapes, not enough fire extinguishers and in some cases we were threatened to get out.
“The result fell on deaf ears by the local authorities. ‘It won’t happen to us.’
“Condolences to all concerned and hopefully something good will eventuate from this tragedy.”
by Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive