At least 27 people were killed and several others injured after a massive fire broke out inside a bar in Bangkok late on Sunday night, 12th July. The incident happened at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in the city’s busy Chatuchak district and quickly turned into one of Thailand’s deadliest fire tragedies in recent years.
According to media reports, the fire started near the stage area before spreading rapidly across the bar. Within minutes, the electricity inside the building went out, and thick smoke filled the room, making it difficult for people to find a way out.
Videos shared on social media showed terrified customers running towards the exits, while some were seen screaming for help and trying to put out flames that had caught on their clothes.
Victims found inside bathroom
Firefighters reached the scene shortly after midnight and managed to bring the fire under control within about 30 minutes. However, by the time the flames were extinguished, many people had already been trapped inside the building.
Officials said most of the victims were found inside a bathroom, where they had apparently taken shelter while trying to escape the smoke and fire.
23.57 น. รับแจ้งจากสายด่วน 199 เหตุเพลิงไหม้ภายในร้านอาหาร ใกล้เคียงซอยลาดพร้าว 1 ถนนลาดพร้าว แขวงจอมพล เขตจตุจักร เจ้าหน้าที่สถานีดับเพลิงและกู้ภัยสุทธิสาร กำลังไปที่เกิดเหตุ สถานที่เกิดเหตุ pic.twitter.com/Tw6EPb7fhS
— JS100Radio (@js100radio) July 12, 2026
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site on Monday morning, said a musician performing at the bar during the incident told him, “There was blasting, and everybody tried to flee from the smoke and flames.”
According to the musician, many people failed to escape because they “went to the back of the building and tried to hide themselves… in the toilet.”
As per the local media reports, nine men and 18 women lost their lives in the tragedy, while more than 60 others were taken to the hospital. Eight of the injured remain in critical condition.
Investigation underway
Early findings suggest that an electrical short circuit in an air conditioner may have started the fire, although investigators have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
Bangkok officials also suspect that highly flammable decorations on the ceiling may have helped the fire spread quickly through the building. Authorities are also investigating reports that the emergency exit may have been partially blocked.
Police have sealed off the area as forensic teams continue their investigation into the cause of the disaster.
