Tiger to pay families of victims B1mn compensation each

PHUKET: The management of the Tiger Discotheque has announced that it will pay one million baht in compensation to each of the families of those who died in the blaze early Friday morning.

General Manager Sema Sinchai also announced that the Tiger Group will cover all medical expenses of the 11 people injured, as well as pay compensation to them.

He added that the Tiger Group will additionally cover any expenses incurred by loved ones to travel to Phuket, whether they are travelling from within Thailand or abroad.

“Eleven people were injured in the incident, two of them still in hospital. We will cover the full amount of the medical expenses plus compensation, which will be determined case by case,” he explained.

To claim the compensation, those injured by the fire, but already released from hospital, will have to present all documents, including medical bills, identification documents and evidence of belongings damaged in the fire, at Patong Police Station so officers can record the claim in the daily police log at the station.

“We will go to the police station and pay those who come to claim it in front of the police,” Mr Sema said.

Speaking of Benjamin Tallanotte, the 30-year-old Frenchman who suffered second-degree burns to 40 per cent of his body, Mr Sema said, “Mr Tallanotte is now receiving treatment at Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. We will also cover his full medical expenses there.

“We have already paid 500,000 baht to cover his treatment at Bangkok Hospital Phuket and his transfer to Bangkok by air ambulance.”

“We will also take care of all medical expenses for Ms Suree Deeying, who broke her right ankle in the incident,” he added.

Meanwhile, Patong Municipality Civil Engineer Arjsuek Gaysornsin yesterday served a 30-days notice to the owner of the fire-gutted building, Kata Holding Group, to make sure that what remains of the building is structurally sound.

The notice also ordered that no part of the building be used and that the building be covered in order to stop debris from falling to the ground.

“The owner of the building must have a recognized company come to inspect and certify the building as safe. Only after we have seen signed verification from a building inspector that the building is safe will we allow people to enter the premises again,” said Mr Arjsuek.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong