Thai authorities promise hotel safety crackdown

Source: TravelMole

Government tourism authorities in Thailand are cracking down on hotel safety after the deaths in a fire last week of two Russians, a woman in her 30s and a 47-year-old male.

The fire at the Grand Park Avenue Hotel, located on Sukhumvit Road Soi 22, also resulted in injuries to 20 domestic and international tourists, most of whom have now been discharged from hospital.

Thailand’s sports and tourism ministry is recommending that all hotels built before 1992 install water sprinklers throughout their properties, although there is no legal requirement for them to do so.

TTR Daily in Bangkok said privately major inbound tour operators from Europe have been urging hotels to comply with stricter fire precaution measures for some time, well beyond what is stipulated in building codes and laws.

Some make it a prerequisite for gaining contract business. Tour operators insist on higher standards for their clients due to liability under European law to ensure hotels used by their holiday customers meet certain safety conditions.

Thai authorities are promising a new crackdown, targeting hotels that have deliberately ignored fire and safety regulations.