The death toll from a devastating fire at a popular live music pub in Bangkok has risen to 32 after two more victims succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday. Thai authorities are currently conducting an extensive investigation into the tragedy, specifically focusing on potential negligence and safety violations at the venue. This incident marks the deadliest fire in Thailand in nearly two decades, drawing significant scrutiny from both the public and safety regulators.
According to the latest data provided by the Erawan Emergency Medical Centre, 30 survivors remain hospitalized across the city. Of those currently receiving medical treatment, 15 individuals are listed in critical condition within intensive care units. Officials confirmed that 44 other victims have been discharged following initial treatment for smoke inhalation and minor burns. The fire broke out late Sunday night at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao pub, requiring emergency services to work for over 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
The Institute of Forensic Medicine reported that the majority of the victims died due to severe smoke inhalation, while a smaller number suffered fatal burn injuries. Investigators have noted that many of the bodies were discovered in windowless bathrooms, suggesting that victims may have attempted to seek refuge there as the pub filled with smoke. The cause of the fire remains officially undetermined, but police are actively exploring reports that emergency exits may have been obstructed, preventing a safe evacuation.
Experts suggest that an electrical short circuit in a ceiling-mounted air conditioning unit likely sparked the initial fire. Furthermore, investigators are examining the venue’s construction materials, noting that combustible acoustic paneling around the stage may have exacerbated the situation by generating extreme heat and thick, toxic smoke. This combination of structural flaws and potential electrical failure has become the focal point of the ongoing police inquiry.
On Wednesday, survivors and relatives of the victims gathered at the Phahonyothin Police Station to provide official statements and coordinate the retrieval of personal belongings. Natthaphong Lakhorn, a 26-year-old survivor who lost a relative in the fire, described the scene as chaotic, noting that the power failed almost immediately after the blaze started. Another bereaved individual, 25-year-old Kanticha Singkhon, who lost her mother in the disaster, criticized the management for a perceived lack of support. In response to the growing public pressure, legal representatives for the bar owners announced that initial compensation payments of approximately 10,000 Thai baht, or roughly $300, would be distributed to affected families.
