28 Thai airports nationwide ordered to install firefighting equipment

Twenty-eight airports nationwide still lacking firefighting equipment have been ordered to install them following the pre-dawn fire last Friday at the northeastern Ubon Ratchathani airport, said Seree Chitsopa, deputy director-general of Thailand’s Civil Aviation Department.

Mr Seree said the authorities at the 28 airports have been ordered to quickly check electrical wiring and other equipment inside the buildings, especially those built before 1990, as there was no law then requiring that firefighting system must be installed.

He said authorities were also ordered to install emergency fire alarm systems so that assistance could be given immediately.

Sprinklers must also be installed inside the airports to prevent a similar incident from occurring in future.

The blaze hit Ubon Ratchathani international airport at about 2am Friday. Containing the fire was initially difficult because the airport has only two fire trucks, but more firefighting trucks were called in later to help douse the blaze.

The fire broke out at souvenir shops inside the airport.

Repairs are expected to take nearly two months, said Mr Seree, adding that new zoning for airport souvenir shops will have to be arranged.

Mr Seree said he would request provincial officials to dispatch mobile toilets for temporary use.

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