The death toll from a fire at a Bangkok bar has risen to 30, with dozens more injured, as Thai authorities investigate potential safety violations that may have trapped victims inside.
Police confirm the blaze at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao began near the stage late Sunday, possibly caused by a short circuit in an air conditioner. Survivors and experts cite locked doors, obstructed exits, and highly flammable decorations as factors that accelerated the tragedy.
How the fire spread and why exits failed
Fire safety expert Busakorn Saensuk of the Engineering Institute of Thailand found the door near the restrooms locked, while entrance doors were partially blocked by furniture. She noted that unlit emergency signs may have prevented patrons from realizing the exit was locked.
The stage was adorned with plastic flowers and the ceiling with combustible foam, materials that witnesses say fueled the fire’s rapid spread. Thai indie band Thotsakan, performing at the time, lost two members in the incident.
Regulatory gaps under scrutiny
Bangkok authorities confirmed the bar was registered as a "restaurant with live music," exempting it from fire-retardant material requirements. The city is now reviewing regulations for entertainment venues and restaurants following the disaster.
Structural engineering professor Worsak Kanok Nukulchai said many victims likely died from inhaling toxic smoke—carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide—before flames reached them. The bar’s owner previously owned a pub in Yasothon province that burned down in 2019, though no casualties were reported in that case.
As of Tuesday, 27 of the 30 deceased have been identified, while 70 others remain injured, 24 critically. Investigations into the cause and safety lapses are ongoing.
