Blaze hits historic Sukhawadee House

Blaze hits historic Sukhawadee House

Smoke and flames billow from Sukhawadee House in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri yesterday. The building was due to reopen yesterday after being closed for four months by the covid lockdown. (Photo by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
Smoke and flames billow from Sukhawadee House in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri yesterday. The building was due to reopen yesterday after being closed for four months by the covid lockdown. (Photo by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

PATTAYA: Sukhawadee House, a major tourist attraction, went up in flames yesterday morning, just as it was about to reopen its doors after being closed for four months due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The blaze started in the ornate Buddhabaramee building and quickly spread to the main building. Fire crews rushed to the 80-rai compound in tambon Na Klua of Bang Lamung district after the alarm was raised about 10.30am.

The Buddhabaramee building houses many Buddha images and relics. The domed building is 65 metres wide and 80 metres long. It is famed for its wooden architecture and suffered major internal fire damage. A Myanmar maid named Cherry said the tourist attraction was set for its reopening later yesterday. She turned on the electrical system in the morning and went about her cleaning chores. About two hours later she heard a loud noise and saw flames coming from the stage area which quickly spread. Officials initially estimated the damage at 200 million baht. The estate is insured for 2 billion baht and belongs to Panya Chotitawan, chairman of Saha Farms Co.

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