Bangkok to Inspect 1,100 Nightspots for Safety Compliance

City officials will inspect about 1,100 entertainment venues in the capital over the next 60 days to ensure they comply with public safety regulations, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced. The inspections follow a deadly fire at Rong Beer Na Ladprao beer hall on July 12 and aim to review and strengthen safety standards. The checks will prioritize premises considered high-risk, those serving large crowds, or those with existing safety complaints. Officials will set limits on the safe customer capacity for each venue to prevent future overcrowding, in addition to enforcing other safety requirements. Safety standards encompass building structure, electrical systems, fire-prevention systems, fire exits, decorative materials, and emergency response measures. These requirements will be communicated to business operators for necessary renovations. “Regular checks are necessary because some places may change after being inspected the first time. Fire exits may have been blocked, emergency lighting broken, or fire exit signs obscured. This affects the safety of their customers,” Governor Chadchart stated. Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelabut noted that the Rong Beer Na Ladprao fire highlighted the necessity of joint inspections. “When officials from many organizations make the checks together, duplications and opportunities for bribe-taking are reduced,” he said. Watthana district chief Pimjutha Sakunsitthada stated that some entertainment places require wider fire exits and smoke control doors, and ordered the temporary closure of venues with numerous faults until they were brought up to standard.