A massive fire at a popular live music venue in the Thai capital late Sunday killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others. Officials said several victims died after becoming trapped near the bar’s bathrooms while trying to escape the thick smoke.
The authorities have begun an investigation into the cause of the fire, which is among the deadliest fire incidents in Bangkok in recent years.
1. The outcome
Tragedy struck Na Ladprao restaurant near Soi Lat Phrao 1 at 12.02am while the restaurant was packed with people. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, confirmed that 27 bodies had been recovered. Officials in Bangkok said another 63 people were taken to hospital, including 22 in critical condition.
Among the dead were nine men and 18 women.
2. The fatal rush to the bathroom
The victims died while trying to escape through the bar’s bathroom during the fire, according to Thai authorities. Anutin said, according to Agence France-Presse, “Most of the victims ran to the back, to the toilets where there is no exit. This may have been due to panic due to the presence of fire and smoke.”
3. Questioning escape routes
According to Reuters, survivors told authorities that the place was filled with smoke within minutes, forcing many people to head to the back of the bar where they struggled to find an escape route.
Governor Chadchart Setibunt said the place had obtained the necessary permits and had fire exits, but investigators were examining whether closed exits may have contributed to the high death toll. He added that many victims were found near the fire exit and authorities believe that “there may have been obstacles blocking the road.”
4. The rescue teams faced obstacles
Suryachai said emergency teams arrived at the scene within five minutes of the incident being reported, but by then the fire had already spread throughout the building.“The fire had spread throughout the entire area, making it difficult for us to enter,” he told AFP. He added that rescuers faced obstacles inside the place. He added, “When we entered to search, we found tables and chairs blocking the road everywhere, and the heat was intense.”
5. Smoke proved to be the most deadly
Officials said smoke, not fire, was responsible for most of the deaths. “The fire spread very quickly and reached the ceiling.
Governor Chadchart told AFP reporters that smoke was likely the main cause of death. Firefighters said smoke covered the area within minutes.“The fire was not that strong, but the smoke covered 100% of the place. There was smoke everywhere,” said firefighter Chakrit Khongkum, adding that “most of the survivors were choking on the smoke.”
6. Firefighters searched in the dark
Reuters reported that body camera footage showed firefighters wearing oxygen masks moving through the smoke-filled remains of the bar while searching for survivors.
Several victims were found lying near toilets while rescue workers carried stretchers into the building.
7. Power outage before the explosion
Suryachai said investigators were still determining the cause of the fire. “We have to wait for the police to conduct an investigation,” he told Reuters. One band member claimed that smoke suddenly appeared after the lights went out for a short period. “After the explosion, I did not see anyone trying to escape, most of them were on the ground asking for help…
He ran towards the door of the stage, about five meters away. “It was dark, there was smoke, and there was no oxygen.”Prime Minister Anutin said the musicians described “smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage, followed by a power outage and an explosion.”
8. Witnesses remember the horror
Motorcyclist Soren Gayharn, who helped the victims escape, told AFP that he saw flames breaking out through the entrance and used clothes to extinguish the flames on the victims while another driver carried an injured woman away.Laotian tourist Kan Kutirat said he first noticed smoke near the theater before panic spread. He said: “I heard loud screaming from a lot of people inside… there was chaos… the images are still stuck in my mind.”
9. Questions about fire safety
The footage showed the victims fleeing into the street, and several people were seen running as their clothes caught fire. An Agence France-Presse journalist saw several body bags outside the site while forensic teams were collecting evidence.According to the venue’s Facebook page, the live music bar seats more than 300 people and has four fire escapes. The incident also renewed scrutiny of Thailand’s long-standing concerns about health and safety standards in bars and nightclubs.
10. The investigation is ongoing
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Authorities are examining whether all fire exits are accessible and whether any safety violations may have contributed to the deaths. The tragedy also revived memories of the 2022 Mountain B nightclub fire, which killed 25 people, and the 2009 Santika Club fire in Bangkok, which killed 67 people.
