Fire spurs venue law rethink

Nationwide checks follow pub inferno

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged a sweeping review of Thailand's entertainment venue laws and zoning regulations following the deadly fire at Rong Beer Na Ladprao.

Mr Anutin acknowledged that many existing rules are outdated and no longer reflect present-day realities.

The government has also ordered nationwide inspections of entertainment venues and public buildings to be completed within 30 days as part of a broader effort to strengthen public safety.

Mr Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, said the review would cover zoning rules, licensing requirements, operating hours and regulations governing live entertainment, while maintaining strict enforcement of existing laws.

"Times have changed," Mr Anutin said. "We are studying how the law should be adjusted.

"Current rules prohibit venues from being located near schools or temples, but where in Bangkok is more than two kilometres away from a temple or a school? The regulations need to be reconsidered."

He said any legal reforms would balance social conditions, culture and tradition with the need to allow people to earn a living.

However, he said that many of the current problems stemmed not from deficiencies in the law but from operators deliberately violating regulations to pursue greater profits.

"Those who knowingly break the law should be prepared for the consequences," he said, adding that provincial governors nationwide, including the Bangkok governor, had been instructed to conduct comprehensive inspections of entertainment venues.

Rong Beer Na Ladprao has become a central focus of the investigation after preliminary findings indicated it was licensed as a restaurant despite operating in a manner consistent with an entertainment venue, raising questions over whether it had avoided stricter licensing and safety requirements.

The tragedy claimed 30 lives as of Tuesday.

The Interior Ministry has been designated the lead agency, working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), local authorities, the Royal Thai Police and other agencies to inspect buildings and entertainment venues across the country within 30 days.

The inspections will focus on fire prevention systems, emergency exits, building capacity and compliance with safety regulations.

Any venue found in breach of legal or safety standards will be ordered to suspend operations immediately until the deficiencies are rectified, with inspection results made public.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the capital's entertainment venue zoning system may no longer reflect current realities, noting that only three designated entertainment zones currently exist in Bangkok -- Patpong (Silom), the New Phetchaburi area including RCA, and Ratchadaphisek Road.

He said the BMA would discuss possible reforms with the Interior Ministry, including revising the zoning framework. He added that while the BMA could introduce stricter local regulations, any such measures would still require approval from the Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, police said investigators were preparing possible charges against the venue's owner and business partner once forensic evidence and witness testimony were complete.