Central World labeled as danger zone

BANGKOK, 20 May 2010 (NNT) — Authorities have fenced off burnt shopping complex Central World, prohibiting cars from passing the area.

According to the Chair of building safety committee of the Engineering Institute Association Pichaya Chantaranuwat, authorities have labeled the area as a danger zone, due to the weakness of the building structure that might collapse. Any movement caused by cars passing by can affect the building structure, as most buildings can only handle 2-3 hours of flames, Ms Pichaya said.

Central World has been burning for more than six hours since yesterday as angry rioters hurled molotov cocktails into the first floor. The flames since then spreaded to other floors finally burning the Zen department store that collapsed this morning. Authorities were unable to enter the premises due to the ongoing clashes between the protesters and the troops.

Ms Pichaya said that authorities needed to be deployed for building surveillance to ensure safety to civilians and passer bys.

As for demolishing the Central World complex, experts are needed for the project, Ms Pichaya said adding that the matter can be operated once the situation returns to normal.