20-1-2024 (BANGKOK) Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin has urged five ministries to overhaul their regulations governing fireworks factories in response to the recent explosion at a facility in Suphan Buri, claiming the lives of 23 individuals on Wednesday.
During a press conference at Government House on Friday, Mr Somsak, accompanied by Nattapol Rangsitpol, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Industry, and Somchai Lersprasittipan, the deputy director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, addressed the need for revised rules and compensation considerations.
The responsibilities for regulations governing fireworks factories extend across five ministries – the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Labour, and Ministry of Industry. Mr Somsak stressed the importance of revising rules within these ministries.
In particular, the Ministry of Industry has been instructed to craft a bill aimed at enhancing oversight of small-scale fireworks factories employing fewer than 50 people. The ministry is expected to deliver a comprehensive report within 10 days, with the findings subsequently submitted to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for evaluation.
One significant proposal arising from the meeting is the mandatory provision of life insurance for workers in fireworks factories. The Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Commerce are set to discuss and finalize this regulation in the near future.
Mr Nattapol, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, has suggested the implementation of separate locations for the production and storage of fireworks to bolster safety measures.
Regarding compensation for the 17 families affected by the Suphan Buri explosion, Mr Somsak assured that the support would be extended once death certificates for the victims were issued.
