On June 11, 2024, a fire tore through Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market, impacting the pet section where exotic animals were kept in captivity. The incident resulted in the death of hundreds, potentially thousands of animals and caused damage to the market.
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The fire erupted around 4:10 a.m. local time in the ornamental fish zone of Sri Somrat Market, which is adjacent to Chatuchak’s main area.
The blaze spread, consuming approximately 1,300 square meters (14,000 square feet) and damaging more than 100 pet stalls.
Firefighters managed to bring the flames under control within an hour. Firefighters and emergency workers responded to the scene, attempting to rescue animals and control the fire’s spread.
The Chatuchak Market fire affected a variety of animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, snakes, birds, fish and chickens. Many were caged and unable to escape the smoke and flames.
The exact number of animals that perished is unclear, but estimates suggest that up to 1,000 animals may have died due to the fire and suffocation from smoke inhalation.
Chatuchak Market Some shop owners and residents, such as Meecha, who lived in the market, recounted waking up to the sound of animals in distress and the rapid onset of smoke and flames. Meecha managed to escape by climbing through a window.
The Chatuchak Market fire destroyed rows of shops within the pet section leading to financial losses for the shop owners. Officials have encouraged affected shop owners to register for compensation, though the exact financial damage is still being assessed.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and other officials inspected the site, with efforts focused on dismantling metal gates to rescue surviving animals and assess damage.
The pet zone of Chatuchak Market has long been criticized for its poor conditions and inadequate care for animals contributing to the high number of fatalities in this incident.
Animal rights organizations including PETA and the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), have renewed their calls for better treatment of animals and stricter regulations following the fire.
PETA urged the Thai government to ensure that such facilities, where animals suffer should not be allowed to operate again.
Edwin Wiek, director of WFFT condemned the sale of exotic animals in the market as “immoral, cruel, a health and safety hazard and completely unnecessary.”
Chatuchak Market has been notorious for its involvement in the illegal trafficking of rare and endangered species, including turtles, tortoises and birds.
Although Thailand has stringent penalties for wildlife trafficking including up to four years in prison or fines up to 40,000 baht ($1,000), enforcement has been inconsistent.
Many traffickers reportedly avoid consequences due to connections with influential figures. The fire has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and better oversight of markets like Chatuchak.
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In 2013, a blaze destroyed at least 20 shops in the fashion section, highlighting the safety concerns at the market.
Chatuchak Market is a major tourist attraction and local shopping destination, which has over 15,000 stalls across various sections.
The Chatuchak Market attracts approximately 200,000 visitors on weekends, making safety and regulatory issues particularly critical.
The fire erupted early on Tuesday morning, around 04:10 local time, in the pet zone of Chatuchak Market, a major tourist attraction in Bangkok.
It quickly spread, engulfing more than 100 shops over an area of approximately 1,400 square meters (15,000 square feet). Authorities report that no human casualties occurred, though the loss of animal life was substantial.
The Chatuchak Market fire resulted in the deaths of about 1,000 animals, including birds, dogs, cats, snakes, and other exotic pets. Many animals were burned to death in their cages as the blaze moved too swiftly for any rescue attempts.
Some of the affected animals included species like rats, pythons, geckos and Siamese fighting fish.
Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit was the cause of the blaze. This type of accident is not uncommon in the crowded and often outdated infrastructure of the market.
Firefighters arrived and managed to extinguish the fire within approximately 30 minutes. Rescue workers and shop owners were seen sorting through the remains, looking for surviving animals and assessing the damage.
Shop owners, many in tears and visibly distraught, began to register for compensation and discuss their next steps.
Many Chatuchak Market shop owners experienced emotional and financial losses. Amporn Wannasut, who sold turtles, pythons and king snakes, reported losing all her stock and expressed uncertainty about the future.
Another shop owner, Suwannee Sangdee, who dealt in Siamese fighting fish expressed her shock and despair over the loss of her beloved fish and the destruction of her shop.
Animal rights groups like PETA have called for the permanent closure of the pet zone, condemning the conditions as cruel and inhumane.
The Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand has also criticized the market, addressing the issues of illegal animal trade and poor living conditions.
Chatuchak Market, one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most famous markets has a long history of selling a wide range of goods including pets.
The Chatuchak Market is notorious for its dense, narrow lanes and the poor conditions in which animals are kept. The market’s pet zone has been a contentious area due to frequent reports of animal suffering and illegal trade.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the scene and pledged support for the affected shop owners. Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.
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