Mystery still surrounds resort blaze

Forensic police were still trying to find the cause of the fire that gutted part of Soneva Kiri Koh Kood, a luxury resort on Koh Kut in Trat province on Sunday, Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, the assistant national police chief, said on Thursday.

He said an initial investigation indicated the fire may have started in one of the rooms in the resort’s main building.

Since all the buildings were made of wood, possible factors including a discarded cigarette or a short circuit have yet to be eliminated.

Pol Lt Gen Sompong said police will question remaining witnesses including the hotel owner and guests, after finishing with 17 other witnesses.

They include eight guests, six ordinary staff members and a general manager, as well as a security guard and an electrician.

Additionally, investigators were looking closely at why the resort’s alarm and fire sprinkler systems…