Phuket

landofsmiles · #1 28-03-2008, 15:49

The old Grand Tropicana opposite OTOP is on fire although looks like it's just about contained now. That will put back the opening date a wee bit!

Traffic is solid from end of Bangla road to OTOP.

shez21 · #2 28-03-2008, 15:56

I ask this question only bnecause it's relevant to my work........
Does the fire brigade attending look professional in what they are doing?

landofsmiles · #3 28-03-2008, 16:02

Well there are 4 bright red fire engines there but not quite as good looking as the ones in your avatar. The firemen were pointing their hoses at the hotel while having a fag and chatting to some passing ladies. Does that sound about right?

Actually if you really want to see them in action they are performing a fire drill here>>>

YouTube - Fire drill in Patong, Thailand

Nautilus · #4 28-03-2008, 16:32

Oh that is bad!!! It is the soon to be COurtyard by Marriott.

fun2have · #5 28-03-2008, 16:33

thats off the list of hotels for august holidays then

Nautilus · #6 28-03-2008, 16:35

Friend in Phuket texted me, saying the firemen arrived very late. Holiday Inn had to move some guest out and help with the fire.

shez21 · #7 28-03-2008, 16:35

Thanks for letting me know.
And thanks for the link.
They didn't look too bad in the drill.

the juggler · #8 28-03-2008, 17:42

Hope nobody was injured!

steve w · #9 28-03-2008, 18:08

s'allright they were gonna rip it down anyway.

landofsmiles · #10 28-03-2008, 18:24

The "ripping down" bit was already done. They are well into the putting it back together and making it look nice stage.

Here's rollcall back at the station making sure everyone got back safely>>>

marc26 · #11 28-03-2008, 20:31

i would think those thai firemen in Phuket should be the best soccer players in world
i use to stay over by their fire house and those fcuckers were always playing soccer all day, everyday

MrDK · #12 28-03-2008, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by shez21

Does the fire brigade attending look professional in what they are doing?

Don't have much specific information about fire ground activity or management in Thailand, however, I have been quite involved with the breathing and accountability aspects there.
The fire service in more established areas of Thailand attempt to follow NFPA standards. This includes the use of NFPA compliant SCBA and adherence to NFPA SCAM or NFPA 1981. In real life they start out with good intentions, but follow the standards less and less as time goes on. Incident command is also supposed to follow NFPA.

In the segments of the fire service that I have worked, Thailand (believe it or not) is one of the most progressive countries in SE Asia. Can only think of Singapore to be more progressive, even though Thailand tend to spec in better equipment for fire fighter protection .... again NFPA.
Outside of the more established areas, I can only assume that no or few rules are followed.

ChoakMyDee · #13 28-03-2008, 23:28

Can I ask a stupid question? What is OTOP?

I'm trying to figure out where this hotel is? North end of Bangla?

ub2yoo · #14 28-03-2008, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChoakMyDee

Can I ask a stupid question? What is OTOP?

I'm trying to figure out where this hotel is? North end of Bangla?

Is it that?

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ne...ne-phuket.html

Can't be, I also thought it's an area?

Hi CMD, welcome to the stupid;-)

steve w · #15 29-03-2008, 00:07

Patong OTOP there you go ,oh the power of the google 555555

ChoakMyDee · #16 29-03-2008, 00:45

Ahhh...been there a few times, didn't even know it had a name.
Thanks for that

landofsmiles · #17 29-03-2008, 01:56

Pic from the Gazette>>>

MrDK · #18 29-03-2008, 02:20

Quote:

We believe that a spark from workers carrying out construction might have ignited insulation and started the fire

Flammable Insulation?

Masterwoodsman · #19 29-03-2008, 02:21

OTOP stands for "One Tambon One Product".... although i don't see the significance in this as there are many products.....

Tambon in Thai means village/district for those who don't know...

sishow · #20 29-03-2008, 03:38

Anyone who has flown Thaiair should know what that phrase means. You used to get brainwashed with it!

snakebite911 · #21 29-03-2008, 04:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

Flammable Insulation?

TIT

nacha · #22 29-03-2008, 04:36

is it possible that there was already some time ago a fire in that hotel?!
iirc it looked so last September...

K2 · #23 29-03-2008, 07:21

If there is a positive here - least the fire happened BEFORE it was open to paying guests - would hope that some thought to fireproofing and decent exits will be made.

MrDK · #24 29-03-2008, 07:37

That is a positive.
Hotels fires in particular are troublesome as so many people there are unfamiliar with their environment when the need to the most. Still recall the MGM in LV.

Hoopy Frood · #25 29-03-2008, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve w

Patong OTOP there you go ,oh the power of the google 555555

Something I became aware of when I clicked on this link was that when I scrolled down the map & looked at the emergency numbers they were nothing like I expected.

199 Fire
191 Police
??? Ambulance

Not a good move on my part to be unaware of these numbers. How many other LOS visitors would have been caught out also?

LivinLOS · #26 29-03-2008, 14:07

Yeah actually its a smart expat or visitor that has a few I.C.E (in case f Emergency) numbers in the phone.. Cops (best to have one you know), car insurance, hospitals (the ambulance services are not linked, so no central number), etc..

Cos when you REALLY need one they are not easy to get.