Key facts
- A fire at a Bangkok music bar killed at least 33 people and injured over 70.
- The incident has exposed loopholes in Thailand's nightlife venue safety regulations.
- Many venues operate as restaurants with less stringent safety standards due to zoning restrictions.
- The existing law, the Entertainment Place Act, was enacted in 1966 and updated in 2012.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called for a review of the current regulations.
A deadly fire at a Bangkok music bar has ignited discussions about Thailand's safety regulations and the legal loopholes that permit some venues to operate without adhering to stricter standards. The blaze, which occurred earlier this week at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar, resulted in at least 33 fatalities and over 70 injuries, with 27 individuals remaining hospitalized.
Experts, including Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, suggest that factors such as overcrowding, the presence of combustible materials, and obstructed exits may have contributed to the high casualty count. Pimanmas stated that the tragedy could have been averted if proper engineering principles and all relevant laws had been strictly followed.
The primary legislation governing nightlife venues, the Entertainment Place Act of 1966, was last updated in 2012 following a similar fatal fire at the Santika nightclub in 2009 that killed 67 people. The revised standards mandate the use of fire-resistant materials, smoke ventilation systems, sprinklers, and appropriately sized fire escape routes.
However, these requirements are only applicable to venues licensed and operating within specific designated zones. Opposition lawmaker Paramait Vithayaruksun criticized the law as "outdated and unrealistic," explaining that venues located outside these three designated zones in Bangkok cannot obtain proper licensing. Consequently, many operate by registering as restaurants that serve alcohol and host live music, categories subject to less stringent safety regulations.
The Na Ladprao bar, where the recent fire occurred, was located outside these zones and was registered as a restaurant. This practice of circumventing regulations is prevalent across Thailand, with the restricted zoning law affecting 55 provinces, while 22 others do not issue entertainment venue licenses at all. Paramait noted that restaurants do not face the same requirements, particularly for soundproofing materials, allowing operators to use cheaper alternatives.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul acknowledged the existing shortcomings and announced that the law would be reviewed to adapt to contemporary societal norms and cultural contexts. Wasawat Kitsiriteeraphak, former president of the Building Inspectors Association, emphasized the need for inspections to focus on the actual use of buildings rather than their licensed classification, urging a comprehensive review of similar establishments to prevent future disasters.