The body of the second Lao national who died following the deadly fire at Pub Ladprao in Bangkok has been returned to Laos, after Thai and Lao rescue teams worked together to bring her home on 17 July.
According to the 1623 Rescue Team, the victim was Viengphone Chindavong, an 18-year-old from Vientiane Capital, who died in hospital from injuries she sustained in the fire.
Thaksin Kounnasane of the 1623 Rescue Team said “the repatriation began on the evening of 16 July, when the body departed Bangkok. It arrived at the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai the following morning, where Thai rescue workers handed it over to their Lao counterparts”.
Thaksin said “The body was then transported to Viengphone’s home in Na Nad village, Naxaythong district, Vientiane Capital. Some of her relatives travelled with the convoy from the border, while her parents and other family members waited to receive her at home”.
Viengphone is the second Lao victim to be repatriated following the tragedy. Two days earlier, the body of Phonepaseut Poungppany, 21, from Outhoumphone district, Savannakhet province, was returned to Laos through the Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Mukdahan before being taken to his hometown.
The fire broke out at Pub Ladprao in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on 12 July. According to the latest update from Thai authorities on 16 July, the disaster claimed 33 lives and left 71 people injured. Fourteen people remain in critical condition, 13 sustained moderate injuries, while 44 others have since been treated and discharged from hospital.
Thai authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, including possible electrical faults, fire safety violations, and whether the venue had adequate emergency exits.
