A devastating overnight fire at a popular music bar in Thailand’s capital has claimed at least 27 lives and left dozens injured, marking Bangkok’s deadliest blaze in nearly two decades.
The fire broke out shortly before midnight on Sunday at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao music bar in northern Bangkok, sending terrified patrons scrambling for safety as flames engulfed the single-storey building. Thick black smoke quickly filled the venue while fire crews battled the blaze for about 30 minutes before bringing it under control.
Emergency officials said at least 73 people were injured in the incident, with 25 reported to be in critical condition.
Images from the scene showed panicked customers fleeing the burning building as flames burst through the roof. Shoes abandoned during the frantic escape were scattered outside the venue, highlighting the chaos that unfolded as people rushed to save their lives.
By Monday morning, the area had been sealed off while forensic investigators searched the charred remains for evidence to determine what triggered the deadly fire.
The building bore extensive damage, with shattered windows exposing burnt furniture, empty beer bottles, damaged speakers, television sets and an electric guitar inside the devastated entertainment venue.
Thai National Police Chief Kittharath Punpetch said many of the victims were discovered inside windowless bathrooms near one of the rear exits, where they were believed to have sought refuge from the rapidly spreading flames and smoke.
According to him, the exit appeared not to have been used, possibly because access was obstructed by a table selling candy or because darkness and heavy smoke prevented patrons from finding it. Investigators also found that another exit near the kitchen may have been partially blocked by shelving units and lockers, while there were indications that some exit doors might have been locked.
Authorities are now focusing on the ceiling above the performance stage, where decorative materials were installed. Investigators will examine whether flammable materials contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze and whether the building’s electrical wiring complied with safety standards.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said a musician performing at the venue told him smoke was seen coming from a circuit breaker near the stage before the electricity failed.
Moments later, an explosion was heard, followed by thick smoke that quickly engulfed the bar.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said most of the victims died from smoke inhalation. Officials are also working to identify several victims who were not carrying identification documents at the time of the incident.
Outside the venue on Monday, Buddhist monks offered prayers for those who lost their lives, while health workers distributed face masks to nearby residents to protect them from lingering smoke and fumes.
Authorities also established a registration centre for relatives searching for missing family members.
Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai, who had been performing nearby, said she rushed to the scene after learning of the fire because several members of her band were performing at the venue.
She revealed that one band member had died, three others were hospitalised and another remained missing.
“From what I heard from people who were inside, when the fire started everything went dark. The power was out and there was smoke everywhere, so they couldn’t locate other people,” she said.
The tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly nightclub and entertainment venue fires in Thailand.
In 2022, a blaze at a music bar in eastern Thailand killed 14 people, while another bar fire south of Bangkok claimed 22 lives the same year. The country’s deadliest nightclub disaster occurred on New Year’s Day in 2009, when a fire at Bangkok’s Santika nightclub killed 66 people and injured more than 200 after an indoor fireworks display reportedly ignited the blaze.
Source: CNN
