Bangkok, "Chatchart" orders the closure of Srisomrat Market, refraining from selling, saying that if he wants to open it, the railway must request permission and must have quality fire protection standards. Prepare to introduce 3 laws to control the animal trade in Bangkok. Accept it like a lost cow and surrounded by a pen. But it's better than not doing anything at all. 4:00 p.m. at Bangkok City Hall Bangkok Executive along with representatives from relevant agencies Participate in an urgent press conference The case of pet market management After a fire broke out at the pet market, Srisomrat Market which is in the area of ??responsibility of the State Railway of Thailand with Bangkok as the administrator Mr. Chatchat Sitthiphan, Governor of Bangkok Said that the fire at Srisomrat Market It is a matter of regret and must be improved after this. The market has been selling pets for more than 20 years and the contract was recently renewed. There were reports that a total of 118 shops were damaged and anoth er 15 shops were partially affected. After the incident, more than 5,000 animals died, including 3,500 fish, 37 dogs, 2 monkeys, 1,382 birds, 30 squirrels, 100 turtles, 25 cats, 10 raccoons, 217 chickens, and many other animals whose number has not yet been determined. After the incident, this is an important lesson in returning to strict fire prevention measures. Because if you look at the real victims, there were more than 5,000 animals that died. Prepare to discuss with relevant agencies. At this time, the opening of new markets must be suspended. If the railway is opened You must first request permission from Bangkok, and as for merchants who will be doing pet trading business, they must also request permission to operate their business. From the events that happened, Bangkok May consider conditions For permission to operate additional pet trading businesses In terms of safety and fire prevention, so that the incident does not happen again. The pet trade business has many related laws, such as the Publi c Health Act of 2012, the Animal Epidemics Act of 2015, and the Prevention of Cruelty and Animal Welfare Act of 2014. Previously, Bangkok would survey the sources. It was found that there was pet trading in two large areas, namely Sanam Luang 2 Thawi Watthana Market and Chatuchak 2 Minburi. We will be instructing operators to apply for permission correctly. Bangkok has now opened permission applications until July 15. Mr. Chatchat added that Bangkok has tools for supervision. It is important to make the requirements clear. It is not an opportunity to use the discretion of officials to prevent future problems. If a middleman comes in to help set clear criteria. It will make the way to prevent future problems better. However, in the future, if the Chatuchak pet market is unable to improve the issue of animal welfare or cruelty, Will not allow the market to open again. Veterinarian Boonyakrit Pinprasong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development Said that animal trading business requir es permission. But it was found that some types of pets for sale do not fall into the category. The Animal Welfare Management Act, such as fish, turtles, and some types of squirrels. This matter may need to be discussed with other agencies that will take care of it, such as the National Park Department. Wild animals and plants In the market where the incident happened, from preliminary information, only some traders have applied for permission to operate pet trading businesses. But most of them still don't have a license. Asst. Prof. Dr. Tavida Kamonwet, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, stated that from a survey of the pet trade business in Bangkok, latest data 16 January 2024, there were a total of 233 pet shops that were surveyed that had applications for permission to operate the animal trade business. They cater to only 30 shops, so it is believed that there are many more shops that have not yet been surveyed. In the case of a fire incident in Bangkok, there is a stipulation for relief assistance not exceedin g 11,400 baht per person. Traders must have certification documents from the State Railway of Thailand. The owner of the area came to show up to ask for help. Mr. Roger Lohanan, Secretary-General of the Thai Animal Protection Association Revealed today that the network of animal welfare organizations in Thailand has issued a statement and submitted a request to Mr. Chatchart Sitthiphan, stating that from the incident that has occurred, the partners would like to call on the relevant agencies to carry out follow-up inspections. Investigate the facts of the fire incident urgently and have a central committee involved. Ready to reveal the results of the inspection to the public. Arrange for the development and improvement of pet sales premises to meet standards. Including measures, plans to extinguish events, and fire prevention. and other safety aspects related There should be a committee to monitor and supervise operations in pet selling areas and to enforce laws such as animal welfare in pet selling places, the Act on Prevention of Cruelty and Animal Welfare 2014, along with organizing volunteer partners from the sector. Citizens in monitoring and following up on solutions from relevant agencies. Mr. Roger added that This accident was not a force majeure event but an event that could have been prevented. The issue of fires is not new. Both have legal matters to enforce. May this event be the last time. It is hoped that all relevant sectors will be more stringent. Ms. Dayin Phetcharat, an official of the SOS Animal Thailand Foundation, revealed that the organization We have been continuously pushing for more than 30 years in every market area that has a pet trading zone. which asks for inspection and intervention to improve animal welfare It is estimated that there are more than 1,000 pet trading businesses in the market area where the incident occurred. Because there was no registration or information provided from the beginning of the business, it is impossible to know how many pets died. This should be a les son that can be taken seriously. Photo after the press conference, Mr. Roger submitted a letter from a network of animal welfare organizations in Thailand. To submit demands for Bangkok to take action: Urgently monitor and investigate the facts of the fire incident with the relevant Central Committee to be fair, impartial and transparent. Arrange for the development and improvement of pet sales premises to meet standards, including fire suppression and other safety measures. related And there is a committee to monitor and supervise operations in the pet sales area. Enforce laws such as announcements from various ministries. strictly related In this regard, network partners and public sector volunteers are monitoring and following up on solutions from relevant agencies and jointly proposing solutions to solve problems regarding animal welfare in pet sales locations. To relevant agencies. Source: Thai News Agency