Zen Department Store at Central World collapses

BANGKOK, 20 May 2010 (NNT) – Zen department store, the left building of Central World and one of the biggest shopping complexes in Thailand, has finally collapsed after arson attack by instigators yesterday.

Pathum Wanaram Temple community member Boonlert Klaipook yesterday said that he had been around the area on that day and saw the Zen building, located at Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong business district on Rama I road starting to collapse after the building was set ablaze for more than six hours by the resolute rioters who hurled molotov cocktails into the first floor. The fire was now observed to die out, he said.

More than 60 Central World staff were seen evacuating to Pathum Wanaram Temple for safety.

Mr Boonlert also said that the community had prepared tents as a temporary sanctuary during chaotic times. All of them are confirmed safe and no injuries have been reported so far.

MD Piyarap Wasuwat, a medical surgery of Phramongkutklao Hospital disclosed that, currently, nine dead bodies were found in the temple while another seven people were found injured. The dead bodies will be moved to a hospital today.

MD Piyarap also said that he had contacted Ramathibodi hospital in asking them to receive five injured patients for medical treatment while another two people with minor injuries would remain at the temple to undergo first aid.