China to provide Bt18-million medical help to injured victims

The agency quoted Bangkok-based Chinese Embassy as saying the money will be used for procurement of medicine.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has sent a message to his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya, expressing condolences for the victims and their families who suffered from the inferno, which broke out during the countdown to the New Year at the popular Santika Nightclub.

The inferno killing at least 59 people, many of them foreigners, and some 243 others were injured.

Many of the party-goers died of smoke inhalation, while others were crushed to death in the stampede to get out of the front exit.

Upon Thailand's request, the Chinese government will offer US$500,000 as a humanitarian aid for the Thai government to procure medicines for burn injuries.

The Thai government has expressed appreciation for the Chinese' condolences message and the prompt aid, saying that it is a reflection of long Thai-Chinese friendship.

On Thursday, Thai Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi said that Chinese medical skin-grafting experts are willing to offer treatment to patients of the New Year's Day blaze.

In 1990, Chinese medical skin specialists gave assistance to victims in the Thai capital when an LPG-tank truck ruptured and exploded on New Phetchaburi Road in central Bangkok.