BANGKOK, 20 September 2011 -The Criminal Court has handed down jail terms to the major shareholder of the Santika Club and the owner of the sound system company for their negligence involving fire accident that killed more than 60 people three years ago.
The Court has ruled that the major shareholder of Santika Pub Visuk Setsawad, and the owner of the Focus Light Sound System Co.,Ltd Boonchu Laosihart are guilty of negligence, leading to deaths and injuries. The pair has been sentenced to three years in jail. The Focus Light Sound System Co.,Ltd, the contractor that undertook the special effect work of Santika Pub has been ordered to pay a fine of 20,000 THB.
The Court also ordered Visuk, Boonchu and the Focus Light Sound System Co.,Ltd to pay 8.7 million THB in compensation for the victims. Other defendants have been acquitted. Visuk said he would appeal.
On the eve of the New Year 2009, fire broke out in the Santika Club nightclub in Watthana area of Bangkok where revelers were celebrating New Year. A total of 66 people were killed and 222 were injured.
