In brief
A blaze at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar on Sunday night killed 30 people and injured more than 70, police say. Investigators suspect safety negligence, citing locked exit doors and poorly marked emergency routes. The fire, which erupted near the stage, was amplified by highly flammable décor and a sudden power cut. Authorities are reviewing the venue’s building and decoration regulations and a former owner’s past fire incident is prompting calls for stricter enforcement.
A blaze at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar on Lat Phrao Road in Bangkok on Sunday night left 30 people dead and more than 70 injured, according to police.
Police General Kittiratt Phanphet said early investigations point to negligence, with survivors reporting that exit doors were locked and emergency signage was missing. The fire began near the stage, spreading quickly through flammable décor such as plastic flowers and foam‑covered ceilings.
Preliminary findings suggest a short circuit in an air‑conditioner cut power to the venue, triggering the inferno. In the chaos, many patrons fled toward the back rooms and restrooms, only to find the entryways locked. Fire‑safety expert Busakorn Saensuk explained that victims could not escape because the emergency signs were not illuminated.
The incident also raises questions about building codes, as the bar was registered as a “restaurant with live music” rather than an entertainment venue—negating requirement for fire‑retardant materials. Bangkok’s Metropolitan Administration is reviewing regulations for both restaurants and entertainment venues, while the owner’s prior pub in Yasothon province, which burned in 2019, had no casualties because it opened earlier that day.
Authorities have identified 27 of the deceased and report more than 24 critically injured. The investigation is ongoing, and officials urge the public to exercise caution in venues with inadequate safety measures.
