A devastating fire at a popular bar in Bangkok's Chatuchak District has left at least 27 people dead and many more hospitalised, authorities confirmed. The blaze erupted around midnight at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar, a well-known venue in the area, sending terrified patrons scrambling for safety.
Emergency Response and Casualties
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, stated that 27 bodies have been recovered from the premises. Emergency services rushed to the location after receiving reports of the fire, initially finding one person with burn injuries before discovering the full scale of the tragedy. Many victims were reportedly trapped inside, with some seeking refuge in the toilets only to be engulfed by flames.
Footage from the scene showed a thick plume of smoke bursting from the entrance, followed by flames erupting as people attempted to escape. A man with a fire extinguisher tried to tackle the blaze before firefighters arrived.
Firefighting Efforts
Firefighters from the Phaholyothin, Phaya Thai, and Huai Khwang fire stations responded with three water hoses, taking approximately half an hour to bring the fire under control. Images of the aftermath revealed charred tables and chairs and the damaged interior of the bar as emergency services inspected the site.
Historical Context
Thailand has experienced similar tragedies in the past. In 2022, a fire at a music bar in eastern Thailand killed 14 people. More than a decade earlier, on New Year's Eve 2009, a fire at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok killed 66 people and injured over 200, sparked by an indoor fireworks display.
