BANGKOK, THAILAND – A 25-year-old female customer has died of severe burns, pushing the Lat Phrao bar fire death toll to 37. Police are close to wrapping up evidence collection.
Oranong Sarisri passed away at Rajavithi Hospital at 5:39 am on July 29. She had been in treatment since the mid-July blaze.
Police Lieutenant Peerapong Phosri of Phaya Thai station recorded the death. The Poh Teck Tung Foundation moved the body to the forensic institute at the police hospital for an autopsy.
Bar owner still in intensive care
No charges have been filed against Suwicha Sailabat, the 45-year-old owner. He remains in the ICU at Paolo Hospital Kaset.
Doctors say his condition prevents any questioning. Officers must wait until he is fit to speak before they can formalise accusations.
Investigation file 80 percent complete
Police Major General Kiatikul Sonthinen said the case file is now 70 to 80 percent done. More than 150 witnesses have already given statements.
Those include representatives of the operator, injured survivors, relatives of the dead and government experts. Authorities still need to interview six to seven additional people plus staff from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority.
District chief moved to ensure clean probe
Bangkok city hall has taken personnel action. Prasat Phosrimat, director of the Chatuchak district office, has been transferred to the city secretary’s office.
The move is meant to keep the investigation transparent. It prevents any interference in the probe within his former area of responsibility.
Fuller case file expected next week
Police plan to question the remaining witnesses and gather more evidence next week. The focus is on negligence and violations of building law.
Seventy-nine people suffered burn injuries on the night of July 12 to 13. Investigators are working overtime to complete the file for prosecutors.