BANGKOK, Feb 17, 2010 (AFP) - Thai public prosecutors Wednesday formally charged the first four people over a deadly inferno at a Bangkok nightclub that killed 67 revellers on New Year's Day in 2009.
The charges of gross negligence resulting in death or injury come after police and authorities faced criticism for failing to more swiftly pursue justice for the blaze at the swanky Santika club.
The four who appeared at a district attorney's office included Saravuth Ariya, the lead singer of rock band Burn, who is accused of setting off pyrotechnics that started the fire.
The others were Santika's operations manager Thawatchai Srithumma, entertainment manager Pongthep Jinda and marketing manager Phuttipong Vailiki.
The charge carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.
Club co-owner Visuk Setsawat and Boonchu Laosrinak, owner of the company that installed the pyrotechnics, both said they were sick and sent lawyers to the hearing. They must appear at a later date.
Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were among the dead, while scores of foreigners including some from Australia, France and Britain were injured.
