Bangkok pub fire that killed 30

A severe fire at "Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao," a popular music concert hall and restaurant located on the border of Chatuchak and Lat Phrao districts in Bangkok, has claimed the lives of 27 to 30 people and injured over 70 others. It is reported that the condition of about 25 of those injured in this tragedy, which occurred between the night of Sunday, July 12, and the early morning of Monday, July 13, is serious.

This incident, which occurred at a venue near the Chatuchak Weekend Market, is considered one of the most horrific fires reported in recent Thai history, comparable in magnitude to the Santika Club fire in 2009, which claimed 67 lives.

This horrific fire erupted between 11 PM and midnight in an area near the stage or ceiling of the hall. A musician named Athipat "Ice" Wijarn, who was present, stated that he saw smoke emanating from an electrical circuit breaker near the stage, and a short while later, the power went out, followed by a large explosion and thick black smoke rapidly spreading throughout the hall. Highly flammable materials used for decoration, as well as soundproofing covers, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

With the power cut, customers trapped in dense darkness and smoke panicked and tried to run to safety, and videos showing some running out through the main entrance amidst large flames have been released to the media. Others, unable to find their way due to the smoke, attempted to seek refuge in windowless restrooms at the back of the hall, where many were later found dead from smoke inhalation. Although firefighters, who responded immediately, managed to control the fire within a short period of about 30 minutes, significant damage had already occurred, and outside the accident site, body bags and scattered personal belongings like shoes were visible.

The majority of those who died in this accident were Thai nationals, and most of them succumbed to respiratory obstruction and smoke inhalation rather than severe burns. Among the deceased are several members of the band, including the singer named "Breeze," who performed there, and she was also the girlfriend of another musician who survived the accident. Additionally, it is reported that the owner of the music hall is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, and efforts to identify the deceased are still ongoing.

Teams including Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and national police authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the accident, with an electrical short circuit suspected to be the primary cause. It is believed that this electrical short circuit may have occurred due to a fault in an air conditioner or electrical wiring system installed in the ceiling of this approximately 50-year-old building, and the initial focus of the investigation is on the serious safety deficiencies and negligence within the establishment. Emergency exits were obstructed by items such as racks and candy tables, forcing people to move in single file, and some doors being locked with padlocks also contributed to the severity of the tragedy.

This establishment was operating under a license as a restaurant providing live music, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also visited the accident site to observe and express his condolences for the deceased. After the accident, the interior of the restaurant was completely reduced to ashes, with chairs, tables, and melted musical instruments like guitars visible in the footage. Following this incident, authorities have focused their attention on the safety of electrical systems, crowd control, and strict enforcement of fire safety regulations in nightclubs and entertainment venues operating in old buildings in Bangkok.