Bangkok: Police are preparing to file three charges against the owner and partners of the brewery at Lat Phrao. Currently, 34 out of 70 witnesses have been questioned. They are awaiting autopsy results and forensic evidence before determining all charges. Meanwhile, waiters have given statements to investigators regarding the fire.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Khun, a 21-year-old Laotian national and waiter at a beer bar in Ladprao, along with his fellow waiters, gave statements to investigators regarding the fire. He recounted their near-death experience, saying that when the fire broke out, he was sitting near the restroom entrance next to the stage. He saw the owner sitting at a table near the restroom. Shortly afterward, he noticed a large amount of gray smoke billowing from the front of the stage and saw sparks. He immediately shouted to his friends, "Fire! Fire!" and ran out the back of the bar. There were no warning announcements, and the power was cut off instantly.
Some staff members helped evacuate customers from the store. Regarding the small side door near the restroom that was the subject of the incident, it was confirmed that it was not locked, but it was a staff-only door and was blocked by a candy table. However, at the time of the incident, the musicians kicked the table aside and escaped through this door.
In this incident, two of the waiters were injured and two others died. Mr. Khun was uninjured because he managed to get out in time. However, he expressed a desire for compensation since he hasn't received his latest weekly wage, and the restaurant hasn't informed him when they will pay. Despite his narrow escape, his colleagues were not as fortunate.
The Police Chief admits it's still unclear whether the exit door was locked or not. The Commissioner General of Police stated that it is still unclear whether the exit doors of the brewery at Lat Phrao were locked. Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner General of Police, revealed that there is no definitive answer yet, but from the site inspection, they found a total of four doors. Doors 1 and 2 are entrance/exit doors facing Lat Phrao Road. Door 3 is next to the men's restroom and was found to have two latches and a doorknob. Judging from the appearance of the door, there was a table nearby with scattered candy, suggesting that door may have been closed. They are currently reviewing photographs and questioning witnesses. Door 4 is near the kitchen, presumably used by employees, but whether it was used during the incident is still under investigation.
Regarding the shop owner's condition, the Commissioner General of Police confirmed that it remains a critical case, with the owner receiving treatment in the ICU and unable to give a statement yet.
Authorities are preparing to file three serious charges against the owner and partners of the brewery. Pol. Maj. Gen. Kiatikul Sonthinern, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, revealed that 34 out of 70 witnesses have been questioned so far. Charges against the owner and partners of the shop are pending the autopsy results. The results of the crime scene investigation and forensic evidence analysis will be conducted before considering all charges, including the issue of operating beyond legal hours. This is also under investigation. Initially, three serious charges are under consideration: violations of the Building Control Act, negligence causing death or injury, and fire-related offenses.