28 Airports throughout Thailand Ordered to Install Firefighting Equipment

UBON RATCHATHANI, October 19 (TNA) - Twenty-eight airports nationwide which are still lacked of firefighting equipment have been ordered to install them following the pre-dawn fire last Friday which hit the northeastern Ubon Ratchathani international airport, said Seree Chitsopa, deputy director-general of Civil Aviation Department. Mr. Seree said authorities at the 28 airports throughout the country have been ordered to speed on checking electricity wires and other equipment insides the buildings, especially those built before 1990 as there was no law then requiring that firefighting system must be installed. He said authorities were also ordered to install an emergency fire alarm system so that assistance could be given immediately. Sprinklers must also be installed inside the airports in order to prevent a similar incident from occurring in future. The blaze hit Ubon Ratchathani international airport at about 2.00 a.m. last Friday and containing the fire was difficult at the beginning because the airport has only two fire trucks and more trucks were called in later to help douse the blaze. The fire broke out at souvenir shops inside the airport. Repairs are expected to take nearly two months, said Mr. Seree, adding that a new zoning for souvenir shops at the airport will have to be arranged. He said he would request the provincial officials to dispatch mobile toilets for temporary use. (TNA)