The co-owner of a Bangkok nightclub where 65 people were killed in a blaze early on New Year’s Day handed himself in to police on Tuesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, police said.
Visuk Setsawat surrendered at a police station near the ill-fated Santika nightclub to face two charges of negligence resulting in deaths and injuries and of allowing minors to enter the establishment.
”Police have filed two charges against him,” deputy national police chief General Jongrak Jutanont told reporters, adding that Visuk, the club’s major shareholder, was being questioned.
”In normal cases bail would be 200 000 to 300 000 baht ($5 714 to $8 ,571), but due to the fact that many have died or been injured, police set bail at one million baht,” Jongrak said.
Visuk faces up to 10 years in jail under Thai law.
Police on Monday issued warrants for both Visuk and for Suriya Ritrabue, the managing director of the company that runs the club.
Suriya remains at large.
Thai emergency services, meanwhile, updated the death toll to 65 after a Sudanese woman died in hospital on Monday. Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were also among the dead.
Of the 229 people who were injured in the fire 39 remain hospitalised, with 19 in intensive care units and the others in stable condition, they said.
Early police reports suggested the blaze might have 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 said they were still investigating.
Authorities say Santika had been refused an operating licence since 2004 because of safety concerns, but remained open while appealing that decision. – Sapa-AFP