A devastating pub fire in Bangkok has claimed the lives of at least 27 people, while 63 others were injured, making it one of Thailand’s deadliest entertainment venue tragedies in recent years. The incident occurred late Sunday night at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, prompting a large scale emergency response and an official investigation into the cause of the blaze.
According to Thai authorities, the fire broke out shortly before midnight and spread rapidly throughout the crowded venue. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, confirmed that emergency teams recovered 27 bodies, while dozens of injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Survivors described scenes of panic as the building quickly filled with thick smoke after the lights suddenly went out. Many customers reportedly attempted to escape through the back of the pub near the restrooms, but witnesses said there were no emergency fire exits, making evacuation extremely difficult.
Officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirmed that rescue workers found the venue severely damaged when they arrived. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, while forensic experts began collecting evidence to identify the victims and determine the exact cause of the fire.
A musician performing at the venue told local media that smoke suddenly spread across the hall before a powerful explosion triggered a massive fire. He recalled that visibility disappeared within seconds as people struggled to breathe and many collapsed while trying to escape.
Thai authorities have launched a full investigation into the tragedy to determine whether safety regulations were violated. Prime Minister Anutin directed relevant agencies to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and ensure accountability if negligence is discovered.
The deadly incident has once again highlighted the importance of fire safety measures, proper building regulations, and accessible emergency exits in crowded public venues. Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation continues and forensic teams complete their examination of the site.
