Authorities inspects high-rise buildings in Bangkok

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) – Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang ordered agencies concerned under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to carry out safety checks on high-rise buildings to save lives in the event of a fire in a wake of the Grenfell Tower blaze in London. The Bangkok governor today carried out on-the-spot inspection of the Baiyok 1 Tower in Ratchathewi district, which used to be the highest building in Thailand. Baiyok Tower 1 accommodates a hotel, shopping complex and restaurants. The inspection found that even it was built in 1984, it has fire prevention and safety plans put in place with the availability of ready-for –use fire escape exits, safety switches, fire hydrants, fire hoses and fire extinguishers. However, officials suggested that the length of the fire hose, connecting to a water main be increase to 30 metres to cover the area in each floor. Currently, there are 2,810 high rise buildings in Bangkok. The Department of Public Work and all 50 district offices are instructed to conduct surveys and strictly check on both old and new high-rise buildings. If officials find any flaw, they will order improvement immediately, otherwise the building, which breaches the safety regulation, will be forced to close. (TNA)