PUBLISHED: 14 Jun 2024 at 05: 56
Following Tuesday’s blaze at a pet market in the Chatuchak district, which left more than 5, 000 animals dead, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) will raid unlicensed pet stores throughout the city to stop similar incidents from occurring again.
In response to the fire at Sri Somrat Market, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and BMA members held a joint press event with an animal shelter organization system on Wednesday.
According to Mr Chadchart, the market, located on land owned by the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) behind the JJ Mall shopping centre, caught fire at 4.08am and was extinguished at 4.37am.
At least 5, 300 species, including numerous exotic species, which were kept in 118 animal stores in an region covering 1, 400 square feet, were reported to have died.
Sri Somrat Market has been operating a pet economy for at least 20 years. The industry’s running permission was renewed four years ago, Mr Chadchart said.
In response to the drama, Mr. Chadchart promised to look into the businesses and practices of different pet markets, including Chatuchak 2 Market in Min Buri and Sanam Luang 2 Industry in Thawi Wattana.
Mr. Chadchart stated that the investigation will be conducted following a rigorous” checklist” to help standardize pet profits and minimize problems with business partners.
Every pet shop must now have two permits, one from the BMA and the other from the Department of Livestock Development ( DoDL), according to the governor’s announcement.
The permits include a license to operate a health-hazardous business under the Public Health Act, BE 2535 ( 1992 ), and an authorization to sell animals and carcasses under the Animal Epidemics Act, BE 2558 ( 2015 ) and the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act, BE 2557 ( 2014 ).
According to Mr. Chadchart, the BMA began really just issuing pet shops operating licenses for health-risk businesses because there were some constitutional ambiguities in the rules.
After clarifying the problem with the Department of Health in December, Mr Chadchart said that all petconomy firms, including fields, pet stores, and animal cafes, are required to qualify for the permission.
By July 15th, Bangkok city offices must submit an evaluation of their checks.