Overview
- A blaze tore through the Rong Beer / Na Ladprao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district early Monday, filling the venue with thick smoke and taking firefighters about 30–35 minutes to bring under control.
- Officials have recovered 27 bodies and sent 63 people to hospital, with about 22 listed in critical condition, according to Bangkok health and emergency authorities.
- Witnesses and the prime minister cited a musician’s account that smoke was seen from a circuit breaker near the stage, the power then cut out, an explosion was heard, and dense smoke spread within seconds.
- Many victims were found in restrooms at the rear of the venue, and local officials say emergency exits may have been obstructed by beer crates and a table, which likely hindered evacuation and increased smoke inhalation deaths.
- Forensic teams and police are examining the scene, electrical installations and permits to establish cause and accountability, and the disaster has renewed scrutiny of Thailand’s nightclub and pub safety after similar past deadly fires.