District chiefs transferred after pub fire

Published: 28/01/2009 at 03:42 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) transferred the previous and the current chiefs of Watthana district, where Santika pub situated, to inactive posts at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

The transfers of Watthana district chief Worapot Induluck and former Watthana district chief Surakiat Limcharoen, who serves as Pathumwan district chief, to the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will be effective Thursday.

According to Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Bangkok city clerk Pongsak Semsant has reported to him, saying that many flaws were found at the pub, where the deadly New Year inferno took place.

The fire left 66 people dead and more than 200 injured.

The decision came after after officials found that police stopped raiding the pub soon after a deputy chief of the Crime Suppression Division became a shareholder in 2006.

It also found that the pub earned 250 million baht over the past five years and owed 25 million baht in tax. Moreover, the pub had not paid signboard and land taxes to Watthana district office and had failed to pay income tax to the Revenue Department.

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Dave Masman

Discussion 14 : 29/01/2009 at 02:46 PM14
Seeing as Thong Lo is about the richest area, the 'Watthana' Chiefs must be aleady be amongst the wealthiest and untouchable around. Plenty of hi-so (sorry, I mean 'pretentious') nightclubs and massage clubs (namecheck: Suwit) to spread their dirty little fingers around in.
A shame then that their lives will be spent munching fish snacks and sitting around in "inactive posts at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration." Whatever the hell that means?
Maybe it exists as a kind of bad-cop rehabilitation centre which prescribes heavy dosages of SangSom to wash away troubles of the past.
Farang

Discussion 13 : 29/01/2009 at 11:03 AM13
Interesting move, but just a tiny beginning. What happens to the police "a deputy chief of the Crime Suppression Division" (is his name now forbidden to be printed) and all the police brass involved from Thong Lo police station. Does the new Governor have the balls to demand their investigations, as the Chief of National Police seems to have "forgotten" the real criminals in allowing this tragedy to happen. I for one would like to see some meaningful action on this! Bangkok Post reporters look like they are getting a case of goldfish memory again!
Somboon

Discussion 12 : 28/01/2009 at 11:08 PM12
At least it is a small step in the right direction. Those involved, top to bottom, should be responsible.
Suku

Discussion 11 : 28/01/2009 at 09:55 PM11
An old saying --- the dogs barked 6 months after the burglary..!!
rak khon tai

Discussion 10 : 28/01/2009 at 09:12 PM10
for your info, this also happens in singapore where they let a deputy ministar off even though a terrorist has escaped!
easy going

Discussion 9 : 28/01/2009 at 08:37 PM9
Yes they should be jailed forever, to give them a chance to think about the murders they did. In fact, if we jailed all the corrupt officials, there would be little police left and most of the government would be in jail as well. Might do some good for thailand.
shakehead

Discussion 8 : 28/01/2009 at 08:24 PM8
yeah, agreed with steveyinasia. should be moved to prison and stay there forever. one has to pay for causing lives lost. AMAZING THAILAND. Is there a place that is safe? Looks like it's more unsafe with police presence. All are cronies of who???????????
steveyinasia

Discussion 7 : 28/01/2009 at 08:05 PM7
Great I totally agree with the transfer, it's just the direction that was wrong...should have been transferred direct to prison.
new

Discussion 6 : 28/01/2009 at 06:57 PM6
Sheesh... investigate the judges as well!!! these public servants screwing up our lives in return for some undertable money. After a few years, Santika will be nothing but a small incident.
Paul

Discussion 5 : 28/01/2009 at 06:01 PM5
It's the price for being allowed to do as we pleased, and some innocent people had to pay with their lives. Yes, this is Thailand, and you better hope you won't be the one who has to pay.

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District chiefs transferred after pub fire