THAILAND-ACCIDENT-FIRE

Thai policemen and rescuers stand by the bodies of victims of a fire that ripped through a nightclub in Bangkok early on January 1, 2009. At least 59 people were killed when a fire ripped through a popular nightclub in the Thai capital Bangkok early Thursday as people were celebrating New Year, a local police commander said. The blaze broke out at the Santika club in the city's Thong Lor district, a popular entertainment area for locals and foreigners, said Vallop Janthorn, a metropolitan fire coordination official. AFP PHOTO/PAIROJ