BANGKOK: The death toll from a deadly fire at a Bangkok live music pub has increased to 32, according to officials, with dozens still recovering in hospitals. The blaze, one of the deadliest in recent years in Thailand, erupted at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in the city’s northern Chatuchak district late Sunday night, with witnesses reporting an explosion followed by rapid horizontal flames and smoke engulfing the single-story venue. As of the latest update, 30 individuals remain hospitalized, including 15 in intensive care. A total of 44 people have been discharged since the incident.
Authorities believe the fire likely originated from an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner. Police are investigating potential negligence, including whether emergency exits were obstructed. The government has pledged to strengthen safety regulations for entertainment venues, such as conducting random inspections to ensure unobstructed fire exits and compliance with safety standards. The pub, situated at a busy intersection near train stations and two shopping malls, is part of a cluster of bars popular on weekends for live music, dining, and sports broadcasts.
Investigators suggest combustible materials used to enhance acoustics on the stage may have ignited instantly, releasing extreme heat, smoke, and toxic fumes that trapped patrons. Similar safety issues in Thai establishments, including flammable decorations and overcrowding, have been documented in past incidents, such as a 2009 nightclub fire in Bangkok that claimed at least 65 lives.
