Chatuchak fire sparks calls to protect animals

Fast analysis and law enforcement are urged to stop another tragedy at a large pet market.

Chatuchak fire sparks calls to protect animals
Following a fire that broke out early on Tuesday night in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area, firefighters line down a pet store in the bass and pet area of the Sri Somrat business. ( Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya )

Following a fatal fire at a pet business in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on Tuesday, pet safety activists are calling for changes to the laws governing the sale of pets and wild animals.

Around 4.10 am, the fire at the Sri Somrat business, which is located next to the JJ Mall shopping center on Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road, started and took 90 minutes to contain.

It is believed that 118 pet stores in an area of 1, 400 square meters, including some exotic species, had killed a large number of animals that lived in the area.

On Wednesday, 10 organizations released a joint statement calling for action to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring repeatedly. They included the Society for the Promotion of Animal Welfare Under Royal Patronage, the Thai Animal Guardians Association, the Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Save Elephant Foundation. &nbsp, &nbsp,

They lamented the enduring the animals endured, and they expressed concern that the event had exposed Thailand in a terrible global spotlight.

The complaint of the organizations included three needs to address the situation at hand, along with potential mitigation actions, with the aim of creating a program that promotes sustainable welfare for pets.

The complaint called for a reasonable treatment of all sides in addition to a prompt investigation into the Chatuchak event.

Additionally, it demanded standardized standards for the types of structures where pets are sold, including standards for fire safety and other health measures. As well, it called for enforcement of related laws, including the Agriculture Ministry Notification on Animal Welfare Arrangements in Pet Sales Locations, BE 2563 ( 2020 ).

The Chatuchak District Office has blocked the flames field for 90 days to allow unimpeded research.

According to a statement posted on its Facebook page, fifty-eight vendors in the market have received documentation as hazard subjects.

Somchuan Rattanamangkalanont, producer- standard of the Department of Livestock Development, said most of the species died from smoke inhalation.

The surviving pets, such as birds, Savannah check snakes and bearded lion salamanders, were sent to the Kasetsart Veterinary Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.

On his Twitter page, columnist Nitiphumthanat Ming-rujiralai posted a number of images of the field, including a photo of a Mexican Black King serpent that had bitten its own tail before passing away.

The image sparked outrage among dog lovers and raised even more allegations against the suppliers who had caged the creatures in such bad conditions.