Bangkok pub fire kills at least 27 people

A massive fire engulfed a popular entertainment venue in the northern reaches of Bangkok early on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people. The establishment, known as the Na Ladprao pub—identified in local reporting as the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao—is situated in the Chatuchak district of the Thai capital. National authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the disaster, which left the interior of the premises in ruins.

Emergency services received reports of the blaze around midnight. According to accounts, a passing driver observed the venue on fire at 23:30 and took immediate action, exiting his vehicle to break windows in an attempt to assist trapped patrons. First responders arrived shortly thereafter to find flames erupting from the front entrance. Social media footage captured the intensity of the scene, showing patrons fleeing the building while thick black smoke billowed into the air. Reports indicate that at least two individuals appeared to be on fire as they escaped.

Media additions

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at the site to oversee recovery operations. He confirmed that 27 bodies had been recovered from the wreckage. Local reports indicate the death toll consists of nine men and 18 women. In addition to those who perished, more than 60 people have been transported to hospitals for medical care. Thai media outlets report that a number of individuals remain missing.

In explaining the circumstances, the Prime Minister shared details from a discussion with a musician who was performing at the venue when the event began. Anutin stated that the performer observed smoke emanating from a circuit breaker near the stage. Following a loss of power, a loud explosion occurred, and the building was rapidly consumed by smoke and flames. Anutin provided further insight into the recovery of the victims:

"He said that there was a fire at the cut-out switch, and after that things happened very quickly. There was blasting and everybody tried to flee from the smoke and flames. Many of them were not able to make their way out because they went to the back of the building and tried to hide themselves from the smoke and flames in the toilet, and that's where we found most of the bodies."

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within approximately half an hour. Photographic evidence of the aftermath shows a site defined by destruction, with charred tables and furniture strewn across the blackened floor. The ceiling and walls are severely scorched, with parts of the ceiling peeling away from the structure. Outside the police cordon, rows of body bags were placed as investigators began their work.

This incident is the latest in a series of fatal fires at entertainment venues in Thailand. In 2022, a fire at a music pub in the eastern part of the country claimed 14 lives. The scale of the current tragedy draws comparisons to a historic disaster on 1 January 2009, when 66 people died and more than 200 were injured at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok. That fire, which occurred during a New Year’s Eve celebration, was attributed to the use of indoor fireworks.