PHUKET: Phuket officials continuing their checks on all stores of fireworks in Muang District have yet to find any business operators operating illegally or in breach of safety regulations.
The checks were launched on July 30 following the deadly blast at a fireworks warehouse in Narathiwat that killed 12 people and left 121 more injured.
Muang District Chief Phairot Srilamul yesterday led more inspections of warehouses and vendors of fireworks, and firecrackers. Joining him was District Deputy Chief Thitichai Siemlek and personnel from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor).
The officials checked the operators’ license to store and sell fireworks, as well as the type and size of fireworks, and the operators’ storage methods.
According to an official report of the inspections, the checks were being conducted to crack down on violations of the law ‒ and also to “support the upcoming Vegetarian Festival”. This year the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is scheduled to be held from Oct 15-24.
There are currently 47 operators with licences to store or sell fireworks, said the report.
So far officials have inspected 56 boxes of fireworks, comprising four boxes of 500 units, 29 boxes of 1,000 units, seven boxes of 5,000 units and 16 boxes of 10,000 units.
While no infractions were found during the inspections, officials still reminded operators of the law and safety requirements regarding the storage and sale of fireworks, the official report concluded.
Source: The Phuket News
