Two restaurant associations are urging stricter law enforcement following a deadly pub fire in Bangkok's Chatuchak district.
Rawat Khongchat, a member of the Night Restaurant Business Trade Association, said that such tragedies can be prevented if business operators and authorities rigorously enforce safety regulations.
This tragic event, with a death toll of at least 27, is not the first devastating fire of this nature in Thailand.
In 2009, the Santika Club fire in Bangkok claimed more than 60 lives and in 2022, a fire broke out at the Mountain B nightclub in Chon Buri province, killing 26 people.
Mr Rawat added that he had witnessed some nightclubs failing to keep emergency exit routes clear.
He urged the authorities to strictly enforce laws and stressed that operators must make safety their top priority.
Chanon Koetcharoen, president of the Restaurant Association, said Thailand already has adequate regulations to prevent catastrophic incidents. However, enforcement lacks consistency.
He believes that some entertainment venue operators lack sufficient knowledge of safety and preventive measures.
"I want the authorities to prioritise preventive enforcement rather than reactive measures after incidents occur," he said.
He urged the government to establish clear safety guidelines for restaurant and nightclub operators and called for regular emergency drills and seminars on safety and emergency preparedness.
Mr Chanon pointed to sectors such as airlines and cinemas, which provide safety announcements before operations begin, as examples to follow.
He noted that entertainment venues and similar establishments typically only display emergency exit signs, but do not provide safety announcements like cinemas and airlines. He said the government should encourage operators to adopt such practices.
He said the association is ready to help promote greater awareness among operators, emphasising the importance of implementing proper measures.
POSSIBLE IMPACT
Mr Chanon said the incident may encourage customers to prioritise safety and drive them away from restaurants and entertainment venues that lack sufficient safety measures.
Furthermore, as news of the devastating incident spreads globally, he believes it could have a marginal negative impact on Thailand's tourism image.
He suggested that the Tourism Authority of Thailand should take responsibility for communicating and regaining the confidence of foreign arrivals.
