Fire breaks out at a pub in Bangkok, killing at least 27 people
At least 27 people were killed after a fire erupted at a Bangkok beer hall, prompting an investigation into potential emergency exit obstructions and materials. Officials are examining the site following reports that smoke emerged from a circuit breaker before the blaze.
A massive blaze ripped through the Na Ladprao beer hall in the northern part of Bangkok shortly before midnight on Sunday, spilling into the early hours of Monday. The fire claimed at least 27 lives, injured dozens and left a scene of shattered glass, charred electronics and overturned furniture.
“Right now, we have been able to bring the deceased bodies out. For that, there were already 27 bodies,” he told reporters standing among the smoldering wreckage.
A musician who performed at the venue told the prime minister that smoke first emerged from a circuit breaker near the stage. Power then failed, an explosion followed and thick, black smoke filled the hall. The prime minister repeated that detail, adding that many of the dead were later found in the restrooms at the back of the establishment.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said investigators would focus on two key issues: the composition of the ceiling materials and whether any emergency exits had been blocked, potentially slowing evacuation. “We will examine whether the exits were obstructed,” he said, indicating that the city’s fire‑safety review will extend beyond the immediate cause.
They wrestled the flames for roughly half an hour before the fire was declared under control. Images released by first‑responders show towering flames licking the façade, shattered street‑facing windows, and black smoke billowing through the open front door.
Rescue crews combed the gutted interior for bodies and survivors. The debris strewn on the sidewalk included charred television sets, speakers, an electric guitar and tables still holding empty beer bottles. Nurses handed out face masks to onlookers to protect them from lingering fumes, while a small registration desk was set up for relatives seeking information about missing loved ones.
According to the Bangkok city government, 63 people were taken to hospitals, with 22 listed in critical condition. Officials noted that many victims could not be immediately identified because they either carried no identification or were unconscious when found.
Survivors described the chaos that unfolded once the power cut out. “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,” said singer Sukanya Wongwongwai, who was performing nearby and rushed to the scene when she learned that several of her bandmates were inside.
“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.”
Sukanya Wongwongwai, singer, via AP News
Some Buddhist monks visited the site Monday morning to pray for the victims, while nurses handed out face masks to people nearby to help protect them from smoke and lingering fumes from the burned-out building. By Monday morning, the site had been cordoned off as dozens of Thai forensic officers combed through the burned remains for clues about what caused the fire.
The tragedy has reignited public debate over fire safety in Thailand’s entertainment venues. The 2022 fire at a music pub in eastern Thailand that killed 14 people and the 2009 Santika nightclub disaster, which claimed 66 lives, were both cited by officials as reminders of the need for stricter safety oversight.
