In brief
A huge fire erupted late Sunday night in the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, killing 28 people and injuring 71, 25 of them critically. Investigators suspect an electrical short in an air‑conditioner triggered the blaze, though the official cause remains unverified. The fire spread rapidly, cutting power and filling the venue with smoke, forcing patrons to seek refuge in toilets and emergency exits. Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation and highlighted ongoing enforcement gaps in Thailand’s fire‑safety regulations.
A massive fire broke out late on Sunday night at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, killing 28 people and leaving 71 injured, 25 in critical condition.
The blaze began near the stage, displaced power supply, and spread through smoke, forcing patrons to flee. Many were trapped in bathrooms or near emergency exits, where smoke inhalation caused the majority of deaths.
Firefighters reached the scene after a passing driver alerted them; they contained the flames within about 30 minutes, but not before a large part of the venue was charred.
Preliminary investigations indicate an electrical short in an air‑conditioner may have triggered the fire, though authorities have not yet issued an official cause.
National police chief Kitrat Panphet and Bangkok governor Chatchart Sittipunt both criticised lax enforcement of fire‑safety regulations, noting that flammable décor and blocked exits can accelerate a fire’s spread.
Survivors described a “boom” and “no way to get out” as flames surged. 24‑year‑old Kaew‑udon Poungppany told journalists he tried to get his younger brother out but could not contend with the smoke.
Authorities offered compensation of 29,300 Thai baht ($880) to families of victims and 4,000 baht ($120) for those hospitalized.
Bangkok’s disaster mitigation director Suriyachai Raviwan reported that smoke inhalation was the main cause of death, while the fire investigation team explained that a layer of hot gases beneath the ceiling vents out when a doorway opens, a typical behavior in a compartment fire.
Images show the building with shattered windows, blackened furniture, and police outside. The scene remains cordoned off; body bags line a floor outside.
