A devastating fire swept through Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok's Chatuchak district yesterday, killing at least 27 people and leaving dozens more injured.
According to eyewitnesses, including band manager Ice Athipat Wijarn, a Thai indie band was performing when the fire broke out. Ice Athipat Wijarn, seated off stage, noticed smoke emerging from behind the keyboardist, Kwang, and shouted for people to flee. However, within seconds, a fierce blaze tore through the bar.
Ice recalls fumbling with the door in the smokes-filled room as he tried to escape, when something exploded, throwing him out of the bar. The blaze left behind a trail of destruction, with videos online showing panicked customers screaming as they fled through the flaming front door.
Several residents in the area described being stunned by the scale of the blaze. "I saw firefighters trying to extinguish the flames almost everywhere," said Titi Liewcha, who lives across the street from the bar. "I saw ambulances and rescue vehicles everywhere. I didn't know what to do. I just sat there stunned for a while."
Bangkok governor Chatchart Sittipunt noted that flammable interior decorations on the bar's ceiling may have facilitated the blaze's rapid spread. He also acknowledged that there were reports of people found unconscious near the building's emergency exit, suggesting some obstruction.
A thorough investigation has been launched, and authorities have warned that they will strengthen fire safety standards and require proper training for staff, especially in the nightlife industry.
Residents expressed concerns that such a tragedy could happen again 'because there are so many of these pubs' and 'the fire escape routes are not clear.' "The moment I stepped in, my first feeling was, 'Whoa, if there's a fire, how would we even get out?'" said Phatsara Khamloet, who visited the pub in May.
A driver who works close to the bar suggests that owners should hold regular fire drills to familiarise employees with evacuation procedures.
"I'm safe, thank you everyone for your concern. But my phone and all my belongings burned… My mind is truly not okay right now."
- Tik Chaichana, Thotsakan's lead singer
Over 60 people are being treated in hospital, eight of whom are critically injured. One foreigner, a Laotian, has been identified among those who died.
The tragic blaze has sent shockwaves across the city and raised concerns about fire safety standards. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and stricter regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.