Bangkok bar fire kills at least 27, leaves 25 critically injured

Bangkok bar fire kills at least 27, leaves 25 critically injured

At least 27 people have been killed and 25 others remain in critical condition after a devastating fire engulfed Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok, Thailand, triggering one of the country’s deadliest nightlife disasters in recent years.

The tragic incident occurred late on Sunday in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, where the blaze reportedly started near the stage of the crowded entertainment venue before spreading rapidly through the building, cutting off electricity and filling the premises with thick smoke.

Eyewitnesses said panic erupted as customers and staff scrambled for safety, with many forced to flee through the building’s main entrance while flames spread across the venue.

Videos shared on social media captured horrifying scenes of terrified patrons screaming for help, while some escaped with their clothes on fire.

Emergency responders were alerted by a passing motorist shortly after midnight, prompting firefighters to rush to the scene. The fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes, but not before causing extensive destruction.

Rescue teams later discovered the bodies of many victims inside one of the bar’s bathrooms, where they had reportedly taken shelter in a desperate attempt to escape the smoke and flames.

According to Thai authorities, nine men and 18 women were among those killed, while 73 people sustained injuries, including 25 victims who remain in critical condition in hospitals across Bangkok.

Officials from Bangkok’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said preliminary findings indicate that most of the victims died from smoke inhalation, while others suffered severe burns during the fire.

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One survivor, Kaew-udon Poungppany, a 24-year-old citizen of Laos, recounted his unsuccessful attempt to rescue his younger brother, Phonepaseut Poungppany, who died in the tragedy.

“I grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed it at the door, but I couldn’t go any further. I heard people screaming,” he told reporters.

Another eyewitness, Surin Jaiharn, said he helped several people escape by using pieces of clothing to extinguish flames on their bodies before emergency services arrived.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the fire.

Preliminary investigations suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit, although officials stressed that forensic experts are still examining the scene and no official cause has been confirmed.

Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt said investigators are also examining whether highly flammable decorative materials installed on the ceiling contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

He disclosed that some victims were found unconscious close to the emergency exit, raising concerns that the escape route may have been blocked or difficult to access during the evacuation.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, visited the scene and said a musician who was performing when the fire broke out reported hearing what sounded like explosions before smoke and flames engulfed the building.

According to the minister, many customers ran toward the rear of the building and hid inside the toilets, where a large number of victims were later found.

Authorities have since sealed off the entertainment venue, while the Chatuchak District Office ordered the building closed for 30 days pending the outcome of investigations.

The Thai government also announced financial assistance for victims’ families. Relatives of those who died will receive 29,300 Thai baht in compensation, while injured survivors undergoing treatment will receive 4,000 baht in emergency assistance.

The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns over fire safety standards in Thailand’s entertainment industry.

In 2022, a nightclub fire in Chon Buri Province killed 22 people and injured dozens after flames rapidly engulfed the venue.

Earlier, the Santika Club fire in Bangkok on January 1, 2009, claimed 66 lives and left more than 200 people injured, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations.

In 2024, another electrical fire at Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak Weekend Market killed more than 1,000 animals, further highlighting ongoing concerns over electrical safety in public facilities.

Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation into the latest disaster, with investigators expected to determine whether negligence, electrical faults or violations of building safety regulations contributed to the deadly fire.

Bangkok bar fire kills at least 27, leaves 25 critically injured