Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced former the Santika nightclub owner Wisuk Sejsawat to three years in prison for negligence related to the infamous New Year’s fire at the Ekkamai club that killed 66 people and injured over 100.
Over 1,000 partiers were in Santika for New Year’s Eve when an indoor fireworks show for the countdown ignited a blaze which tore through the two story structure. Victims – which included three Singaporeans, one Japanese, and one Burmese – died from burns, smoke inhalation, and being trampled in the melee to leave the burning building, the Associated Press reported.
Boonchu Laorinath, owner of Focus Light Sound System Company which put on the fireworks display, was also sentenced to three years in prison, the Nation reported.
Numerous people injured in the fire and relatives of those killed were on hand to hear the verdict in the courtroom.
Wisuk said he would appeal the ruling, according to the Bangkok Post.
