Bangkok Pub Fire Leaves at Least 27 Dead, Officials Say
A fire at the Na Ladprao pub in northern Bangkok killed at least 27 people early Monday, according to Thai officials. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after it was reported around midnight, but the incident left extensive damage inside the venue and sent several injured people to hospitals.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who spoke to reporters at the scene, said authorities are investigating the cause. He said a musician performing at the pub told him smoke appeared to come from a circuit breaker near the stage shortly before the electricity failed. According to that account, an explosion followed and dense smoke quickly spread through the building.
Video shared online by first responders showed flames at the front of the pub and thick black smoke rising as people attempted to leave. Images taken after the fire was extinguished showed burned tables and chairs and heavy interior damage. Firefighters reportedly needed about half an hour to bring the flames under control.
Anutin said many of those who died were found in restrooms at the back of the pub. Officials have not yet released a full account of the sequence of events or detailed information about the victims.
The fire adds to a history of fatal nightlife venue blazes in Thailand. In 2022, a fire at a music pub in eastern Thailand killed 14 people. In 2009, 66 people died and more than 200 were injured during a New Year’s celebration at Bangkok’s Santika nightclub. That fire was reportedly linked to an indoor fireworks display.
Investigators are expected to examine electrical systems, building safety measures and emergency exits as they work to determine what happened. For now, officials have confirmed the death toll and hospitalizations while the formal inquiry continues.