A tourist who was horrifically burned in the Thai nightclub fire that killed 25 revellers has finally been released from hospital - one year on from the tragedy.

Dinh Kim Le, 25, was partying with friends when flames ripped through the Mountain B pub in Chonburi, eastern Thailand, on August 5 last year.

There were only three doors in the shoddily constructed venue - the front door and two others at the back that were locked - leading to a hellish crush as the inferno incinerated the partygoers.

Dinh escaped alive but was engulfed in flames. Medics saved her life but she has amassed a four million baht (90,000 GBP) hospital bill - that the owners refuse to pay - and been left permanently disfigured.

She was discharged 363 days after the fire and was today being cared for by her brother as the family grapples with her injuries and the cost of the medical treatment.

She said: 'I feel like I have been living through hell. I have wanted to die. Several times I have thought about how to kill myself.

'Before this happened I was living my dream, travelling to different countries. I was so happy. I was able to work and support my family.

'My body suffered 80 per cent burns. I will be like this for the rest of my life. I try to be strong and people say words of encouragement, but it is hard.

'I have been in hospital in Thailand the whole time and the fees are now nearly four million baht. I cannot pay that and neither can my family.'

Dinh initially received treatment at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, incurring a hospital fee of around 600,000 baht (13,435 GBP)

Later, she was transferred to Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, where the hospital fees exceeded 3.4 million baht (76,132 GBP), leaving her with the need to address the debt through a repayment arrangement.


Dinh stayed at the hospitals for 363 days - just two days short of the anniversary of the tragedy.

After her release, she went to live with her brother and his family at their house, as she was unable to take care of herself due to her injuries.

Dinh added: ' During the first three months of the treatment, the doctors had to administer morphine regularly as my pain was excruciating and unbearable.'

Pub owner Somyos Panprasong, 55, was charged with recklessness causing deaths and injuries, and opening and operating an entertainment venue without permission.

He offered Dinh 100,000 Baht (2,239 GBP) in compensation.

The Pattaya Provincial Court is still conducting witness hearings for the case. Government officers and local police are also being probed for allegedly ignoring planning breaches and noise complaints from concerned locals in the months before the fire.

Dinh's brother Van further explained that the owner had initially transferred small amounts of 10,000 baht (223 GBP) each time but they juicily stopped.

He said: 'I had to leave my job to care for my sister and had to borrow money to manage the debt.

'I want the pub owner to provide more assistance for my sister's recovery.'