Just over one fifth of the pubs in Bangkok that became the subject of the fire-safety inspections carried out across the capital city following a blaze in Chonburi were temporarily closed last week.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt had ordered inspections of entertainment venues in every district of the capital and 83 of the 400 Bangkok venues inspected have been shuttered after inspectors found problems with fire exits and escape routes.

The move follows a blaze at an unlicensed pub in Chonburi’s Sattahip district which left 15 people dead and 37 injured.

Governor Chadchart, who is an engineer by profession, said escape routes should be obvious and clearly signposted to aid victims’ chance of survival in dangerous situations. He ordered further inspections in a bid to weed out Bangkok entertainment venues that are operating illegally.

Chadchart said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will ensure thorough inspections across the city. Authorities have ordered inspections of nightspots across the state.