Owner of Santika pub surrenders to police

Wisuk Setsawat initially denied two charges of reckless?ness resulting in others' deaths and injuries and allowing peo?ple under 20 to enter the club. He was later released on bail of Bt1 million.

Deputy national police chief General Jongrak Juthanont said police set the bail at Bt1 million because 66 people had died and many others were injured, although in less dra?matic cases bail would have been set at about Bt200,000.

He said a second man want?ed in connection with the tragedy, Suriya Ritrabue, man?aging director of White and Brother company, which runs the club, remained at large.

Wisuk denied the charges, saying he would testify in court. He said he had not been able to contact Suriya since the day of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant said he expected the city's probe into the fire would conclude in two to three days. He said district officials would be punished if they were found to be involved.

Pongsak said he hadn't seen an initial report by the Justice Ministry that said Wattana District officials were responsi?ble to what happened.

"I've got look into details again and if the officials were clearly at fault, they will face disciplinary investigation," he said.

He also urged the owners of 1,000 big buildings who have not submitted building inspec?tion reports to the city to do so before the end of January - or face legal action.

He said he had instructed his deputies and district office directors to inspect nine types of buildings in relation to safe?ty obligations. If the owners refused to improve their prem?ises as advised by city officials, an order would be issued demanding improvements within 7-15 days, or they would be punished.

In related news, an National Health Security Office (NHSO) board meeting yesterday approved the reimbursement of medical expenses for 31 victims of the Santika Club fire who were NHSO subscribers.