BANGKOK - THAI police said on Monday they had issued arrest warrants for two men involved in the running of a Bangkok nightclub that was engulfed by a ferocious fire early on New Year's Day, killing 64 people.

Major shareholder Visuk Setsawat and Suriya Ritrabue, managing director of White and Brothers which operated the fire-ravaged Santika club, will face charges of negligence causing death and admitting under-age people.

'These arrest warrants are just the first set issued by the police,' deputy national police commissioner General Jongrak Jutanont told reporters.

'If we find out any other persons were involved, there will be more arrest warrants with further charges.'

Police Lieutenant Colonel Prawit Kantwol told AFP that the more serious charge of neglect carried a maximum jail term of 10 years.

'They (the accused) have just contacted us and they said they will come to the police,' he said.

More than 200 people, including scores of foreigners, were injured in the fire in an upmarket district of the Thai capital. A Japanese national and three Singaporeans were among the dead.

Early police reports suggested it might have been caused by a fireworks display during the countdown to 2009, or by sparklers handed out to guests to bring in the New Year.

Police said they are still investigating.

Authorities say Santika had been refused an operating licence since 2004 because of safety concerns but remained open while appealing that decision. -- AFP