A massive fire tore through a music bar in Bangkok overnight, killing at least 27 people and leaving 25 hospitalized in critical condition in the Thai capital's deadliest blaze in 17 years.
The fire broke out shortly before midnight Sunday at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar in the northern part of the city. Firefighters brought the blaze under control about half an hour later. Photos from the scene showed flames shooting from the single-story building and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Scattered shoes were visible in the aftermath.
By Monday morning, forensic officers were combing through the burned remains for clues to the cause of the fire. The building's street-facing windows had been blown out, and debris littered the sidewalk, including charred electronics and a musical instrument. Inside, burned-out tables remained, some still holding empty beer bottles.
Thai national police chief Kittharath Punpetch stated that most of the deceased were found trapped in windowless bathrooms near a rear exit. He suggested that victims may have sought shelter there to escape the flames. Investigators are examining whether the exit was obstructed by a table used for sales or made difficult to find in the darkness. Access to another exit near the kitchen may have been narrowed by shelving and lockers.
Kittharath also indicated that signs suggest at least some exit doors might have been locked shut. Investigators are focusing on the ceiling above the performance stage, where decorative materials were found, and will examine whether flammable materials were used in the interior and how electrical wiring was installed.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reported that a musician performing at the bar witnessed smoke emerging from a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, followed by an explosion and rapid smoke accumulation.
According to Bangkok's Erawan emergency services center, 73 people were injured, with 25 in critical condition. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said most deaths were due to smoke inhalation. Authorities are working to identify victims, many of whom were not carrying identification.
Buddhist monks visited the site to pray for the victims, and nurses provided face masks to protect bystanders from smoke and lingering fumes. A registration area was established for relatives seeking information about loved ones.
Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai, whose bandmates were performing at the bar, stated that one band member died, three were hospitalized, and one remains unaccounted for. She recounted that people inside reported the lights went out, smoke filled the venue, and visibility was lost.
This incident follows a 2022 fire at a music bar in the country's eastern region that killed 14 people. More than a decade prior, on January 1, 2009, a fire at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok during New Year's Eve celebrations resulted in 66 deaths and over 200 injuries, apparently sparked by an indoor fireworks display.