Jan. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Thai authorities are investigating safety standards at a Bangkok nightclub after a fire, probably started by fireworks, swept through the building, killing 59 New Year’s revelers and injuring more than 200 others.

The blaze broke out at the Santika Club in Ekkamai Road shortly after midnight yesterday, sparking a stampede as partygoers tried to escape from the building, which may have had just one exit for customers. One Singaporean was among the dead, two are unaccounted for and nationals from Japan, Australia and the U.K. were injured.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded to know why fireworks were allowed inside the club, which attracted an affluent crowd of Thais and overseas visitors. Police said they are probing whether the venue had sufficient exits.

The club had prepared fireworks on stage for the countdown to the New Year, the Bangkok Post reported, citing Somchai Frendi, a survivor. The display, which read “Happy New Year,” set the ceiling on fire, the newspaper said.

Many people died in the crush as they tried to flee by a small gateway, Deputy Police Commander Jongrak Jutanont said yesterday. “The safety exit is below standard,” he said by telephone. “Still, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority has to investigate further to reach a conclusion.”

Restore Confidence

Since taking office last month, the prime minister has tried to restore confidence among tourists, who shunned the Southeast Asian nation after street protests that culminated in an eight-day shutdown of Bangkok’s main airports.

“My main message to officials is they have to investigate why fireworks were allowed inside the club,” Abhisit told reporters yesterday after visiting survivors of the blaze at a Bangkok hospital.

Police are questioning witnesses and examining the scene to determine who was responsible “for this tragedy,” said Viboon Bangthamai, the deputy metropolitan police commander.

“People were probably stomped to death as several hundred scrambled to exit the pub after the fire broke out,” Viboon said.

“We have set up a commission to investigate whether the club violated safety standards,” Pongsak Semsan, permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said yesterday in comments broadcast by the state-owned TPBS television network. “This tragedy is a good lesson for all businessmen to take safety standards seriously.”

The club had just one exit for customers and was equipped with a single fire extinguisher, the Bangkok Post reported, citing Jongrak.

Firefighter Watcharapong Sri-saard told the Associated Press that a lack of exits and bars across the second-floor windows made escape difficult.

To contact the reporters on this story: Anuchit Nguyen in Bangkok at anguyen@bloomberg.net; Ed Johnson in Sydney at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 1, 2009 21:35 EST