Bangkok Pub Fire Kills 27 as Emergency Exits Found Blocked

BANGKOK — A fire tore through a crowded live-entertainment venue in Bangkok's Chatuchak district shortly before midnight on Sunday, killing 27 people and injuring 63 others, including 22 who were in critical condition. The blaze broke out at Rong Beer Na LadPhrao, near Lat Phrao Soi 1, at about 23:57. Firefighters brought it under control at approximately 00:32 on Monday after flames and thick smoke rapidly engulfed the venue.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said investigators found objects obstructing the venue's two emergency escape routes. Beer crates or drink boxes were reportedly placed near the exit beside the kitchen, while a table used to sell sweets obstructed another route. Officials have not concluded that the exits were completely inaccessible, and Chadchart said forensic investigators would need to examine the scene to determine how the obstructions affected the evacuation.

During an exterior examination of the venue on Monday, a journalist found only one clearly visible door that could have served as a fire exit aside from the main entrance. A door at the rear-left side of the one-storey building, which appeared capable of serving as a fire exit, bore a Thai-language sign visible from outside reading: "Do not open. For staff and officials only." Many of the victims were found near the toilets and emergency routes at the rear of the building. Officials believe customers fled towards the back after the fire began near the stage and cut off access to the front entrance.

Firefighter Chakrit Khongkom, who arrived with the first fire crew, said heavy smoke had filled the building and that most survivors suffered from smoke inhalation. "The smoke was everywhere," he said. "Most of the survivors were choking on smoke."

Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from the building before flames burst horizontally through a doorway as customers fled. Inside, rescue workers found several victims lying near the toilets, where many appear to have sought refuge from the fire at the front of the venue. A survivor said that smoke appeared near the roof only seconds before flames erupted and said there was no audible fire alarm. Authorities have not yet independently confirmed whether an alarm system operated during the incident.

Investigators initially focused on an electrical fault near the stage or ceiling. Police forensic officials said witnesses reported smoke emerging from behind the stage, while a preliminary inspection found that a circuit breaker apparently failed to cut the electrical supply when the fault occurred. The precise cause remains under investigation. The business was licensed as a restaurant with live musical performances rather than as an entertainment venue.