Investigations and Criminal Proceedings
The owner of the Santika Club was charged, along with twelve other directors. The owner was also charged with allowing an underage customer into the club after a 17-year-old student's body was recovered. He faced a further charge of carelessness resulting in death.
Two parallel investigations were launched, one by the police and one by the Ministry of Justice. The police blamed the lead singer of Burn for setting off fireworks on stage and the club owner for recklessness and for illegally admitting people under the age of 19. The Ministry of Justice investigation discovered the nightclub was officially registered as a private residence and therefore had never received a fire safety inspection. It was also located in a zone where nightclubs are prohibited and the city architect's signature approving the club's design had been forged. Between 2004 and 2006, police had filed 47 charges against the club's owners for illegal operation. After that, however, no charges were filed. Suspicions of corruption were raised when one of the co-owners turned out to be a senior police officer. When the Ministry of Justice investigation was turned over to the police, sources close to the Minister reported he was furious.
On Sept 20, 2011, Thailand's Criminal Court found two persons—Mr Wisuk Setsawat, the pub owner, and Mr Boonchu Laorinath, the light and sound company's owner—guilty of negligence. Mr Wisuth and Mr Boonchoo were given three-year jail terms. Boonchoo was also ordered to pay Bt8.5 million in compensation to five plaintiffs, relatives of the victims.
Read more about this topic: Santika Club Fire
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