It took just 30 minutes for a popular Bangkok bar to become an inferno, killing at least 27 people and injuring dozens more. Firefighters arrived at the scene in the Chatuchak district just after midnight on Monday to find patrons running through blasting flames to escape, with some people on fire. The blaze at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a restaurant and entertainment venue, was brought under control in about half an hour, but the damage was devastating. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters that 27 bodies have been recovered, including nine men and 18 women, while more than 60 people are being treated in hospital. A number of people remain missing.
The fire started at the bar’s cut-out switch, according to a musician who was performing when the blaze began. He told the prime minister that there was a fire at the switch, followed by an explosion, and then thick smoke and flames spread quickly. Many victims fled to the back of the building, hiding in the toilets, where most of the bodies were found. Firefighters from three local stations—Phaholyothin, Phaya Thai, and Huai Khwang—used three water hoses to control the fire. The cause remains under investigation.
“A deadly fire in a Bangkok bar kills 27; we explain the incident and the history of nightclub fires in Thailand.”
Thailand has a tragic history of nightclub fires. In 2022, a fire at a music bar in the eastern part of the country killed 14 people. More than a decade before that, 66 people died and over 200 were injured in a fire during a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok in 2009, which was apparently sparked by an indoor fireworks display. These repeated disasters highlight ongoing concerns about fire safety standards in entertainment venues across Thailand.
For UK readers, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust fire safety regulations in bars and clubs. Many British tourists visit Thailand each year, and the incident underscores the need for travellers to be aware of fire exits and safety measures in unfamiliar venues. It also echoes lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire in the UK, which led to a national debate about building safety and fire prevention.
Q: What caused the Bangkok bar fire? According to the prime minister, a musician performing at the bar reported that smoke came from a circuit breaker near the stage, followed by a power outage, then an explosion, and rapidly spreading smoke and flames. The exact cause is still under investigation.
Q: How many people died and were injured? At least 27 people were killed—nine men and 18 women—and more than 60 were treated in hospital. Some remain missing.
Q: What similar nightclub fires have happened in Thailand before? In 2022, a fire at a music bar in eastern Thailand killed 14 people. The deadliest was the 2009 Santika nightclub fire in Bangkok, which killed 66 and injured over 200, reportedly started by fireworks.
What happens next: The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Thai authorities. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to update the public once more information is available. The incident is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of fire safety regulations in entertainment venues across Thailand.
