BANGKOK, Thailand – At least 27 people were killed, and 22 others were critically injured after a massive fire tore through a popular pub in Bangkok late Sunday night, trapping patrons inside as thick smoke rapidly engulfed the building, Thai authorities said. The tragedy is among the deadliest nightclub fires in Thailand in recent years.
The blaze broke out shortly before midnight at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Firefighters brought the flames under control within about 30 minutes, but by then many victims had already succumbed to smoke inhalation inside the venue. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said 63 people were taken to hospitals, including 22 who remained in critical condition.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the death toll and ordered authorities to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the fire. Officials said forensic teams are working to identify the victims, while a registration center has been established to assist families searching for missing relatives.
Preliminary accounts from witnesses suggest the fire may have started near an electrical circuit breaker close to the stage. A musician performing at the venue reportedly noticed smoke moments before a power outage was followed by an explosion, sending patrons scrambling for safety. The fire spread rapidly as dense smoke filled the establishment, significantly reducing visibility.
Emergency responders found many of the victims in restrooms at the rear of the pub, where people had apparently sought refuge after being unable to locate an exit. Firefighters said the flames themselves were relatively contained, but the smoke quickly overwhelmed those trapped inside. Authorities are investigating whether the venue’s emergency exits were accessible and whether fire safety regulations were adequately followed.
Images from the scene showed firefighters navigating through smoke-filled rooms while rescue workers carried victims from the charred building. The pub sustained extensive interior damage, with much of the structure blackened by the fire.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of fire safety standards at entertainment venues across Thailand. The country has experienced several deadly nightclub fires over the past two decades, including the 2009 Santika Club fire in Bangkok, which claimed 67 lives, and the 2022 Mountain B nightclub fire in Chonburi province that killed 26 people. Both incidents prompted calls for stricter enforcement of building and fire safety regulations.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, with engineers, police, and forensic experts examining the scene to determine the exact cause of the blaze and whether negligence or safety violations contributed to the high number of casualties.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
