Devastating fire at the Catuchak Pet Market

A fire destroyed large parts of the Catuchak Pet Market in Bangkok on 11 June. It is reported that thousands of animals lost their lives. At Bangkok's largest pet market, hundreds of traders offered a variety of animals for sale, including expensive exotic species, dogs, monkeys, cats, fish, rabbits, poultry, ornamental birds and more. There were around 118 pet shops on an area of around 1 400 square metres.

The fire broke out at around 4.10am local time. The cause of the fire is said to be an overheated electric fan that caught fire in a dog sales room. The fan had not been switched off at night to keep the animals cool. It took the emergency services around half an hour to extinguish the flames.

In the meantime, the first donation campaigns have been launched. Some local breeders have also already started auctioning off their fighting fish for the benefit of the victims of the market, who have lost their livelihoods as a result of this event. The Betta fish breeder Sarawut Angkunanuwat has also set up a donation account. Donations can be made via PayPal to thephaboot@gmail.com.