Arrest warrants issued over Bangkok fire
12 January 2009
Thai police have issued arrest warrants for two men involved in the running of a Bangkok nightclub which was engulfed by a fire early on New Year's Day.
64 people died in the fire.
Major shareholder Visuk Setsawat and Suriya Ritrabue, managing director of White and Brothers which operated the Santika club, will face charges of negligence causing death and admitting under-age people.
The more serious charge of neglect carries a maximum jail term of 10 years.
More than 200 people, including scores of foreigners, were injured in the fire in an upmarket district of the Thai capital.
A Japanese national and three Singaporeans were among the dead.
Early police reports suggest it may shave been caused by a fireworks display during the countdown to 2009, or by sparklers handed out to guests to bring in the New Year.
Police say they are still investigating.
Santika had been refused an operating licence since 2004 because of safety concerns but remained open while appealing that decision.
