A devastating fire swept through the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District late at night, claiming the lives of 27 people and leaving many others hospitalized. Emergency responders arrived promptly after reports of the blaze around midnight, only to find a scene of horror and panic.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site, confirmed that 27 bodies were recovered from the popular venue. Witnesses recount a sudden eruption of thick smoke followed by roaring flames bursting from the bar’s entrance. Customers desperately tried to escape the inferno, with some caught in the chaos and engulfed by fire.
Before firefighters arrived, a man attempted to use a fire extinguisher to control the blaze, but the fire quickly escalated beyond his control. Fire crews from nearby stations battled the fire with three water hoses and brought it under control after about thirty minutes.
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Scenes from the aftermath reveal a ravaged interior filled with charred furniture and destruction. Officials found one person with burn injuries upon their arrival, but soon realized the scale of the catastrophe as they discovered numerous victims trapped inside. Reports indicate some sought refuge in the bar’s restrooms, only to be overcome by the flames.
This tragedy adds to a heartbreaking history of fire incidents in Thailand’s entertainment venues. In 2022, a fire at a music bar in the east of the country claimed 14 lives. More notably, the 2009 Santika nightclub fire in Bangkok killed 66 people and injured over 200, originating from an indoor fireworks display during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The community mourns the victims of this latest disaster as authorities continue investigations and support recovery efforts.