A fire late on Sunday night at a packed pub in Bangkok has killed at least 27 people and left dozens more injured, in what officials say is one of Thailand’s deadliest nightclub tragedies in recent years.
The blaze started just before midnight on 12 July at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a live‑music pub in the capital’s Chatuchak district. Emergency services said the fire was reported at around 11:57 PM, and by the time firefighters arrived the building was already filled with smoke and flames.
Authorities said 27 people were confirmed dead and 63 others were taken to hospital, with 22 of the injured reported to be in critical condition. Most of the victims are believed to be Thai nationals.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene in the early hours of 13 July, confirming the death toll and pledging a full investigation. He said survivor accounts indicate the pub filled with thick smoke within minutes, giving many patrons little time to find an exit.
According to Anutin, some people fled towards the rear of the building near the restrooms after the fire broke out but were unable to locate a safe way out. Rescue teams later found many bodies in that area, suggesting that people became trapped while trying to escape.
Bangkok authorities said firefighters reached the scene within minutes of the first emergency call, but by then the blaze had already spread through much of the venue. Suriyachai Rawiwan, who heads the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, told reporters that crews faced intense heat and heavy smoke as they searched the building.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said initial checks showed the pub had the required operating permits and was equipped with fire exits. However, investigators believe the rapid spread of smoke and fire may have stopped many people from reaching those exits in time.
Police have opened a case to determine the cause of the fire.
Footage posted on social media shows flames pouring out of the front entrance while patrons run from the building, some with their clothes on fire. Photos taken after the blaze was extinguished show rows of charred tables and chairs and a badly damaged interior.
Local media report that Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao can hold more than 300 people, though it is unclear how many were inside at the time of the fire. As of Monday, the venue remained sealed off while forensic teams worked to identify victims and collect evidence.
