Key facts
- A fire at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok on Sunday night killed at least 30 people and injured 75.
- The blaze is believed to have been sparked by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner.
- Highly flammable decorative materials, including artificial trees, grass-like material, and acoustic foam, fueled the fire.
- Experts stated that toxic smoke containing carbon monoxide and cyanide choked victims before they were burned.
- Investigators are looking into whether emergency exits were obstructed.
- The venue was registered as a restaurant, not an entertainment establishment, which may have resulted in inadequate fire protection systems.
A devastating fire at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in northern Bangkok on Sunday night, which killed at least 30 people and injured 75, has highlighted critical flaws in Thailand's fire safety regulations and their enforcement.
The blaze, which erupted shortly before midnight, is believed to have been sparked by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner. However, the rapid spread and lethality of the fire were significantly exacerbated by the extensive use of highly flammable decorative materials. Experts who inspected the site pointed to combustible acoustic foam, artificial trees, and grass-like materials installed across the ceiling and bar areas, which ignited instantly, producing intense heat, smoke, and deadly toxins.
Witnesses described thick smoke billowing from the entrance, followed by a horizontal plume of fire. Many survivors reported choking on smoke, with some found near the toilets at the back of the venue. Investigators are examining reports that emergency exits were obstructed by tables and beer crates, and that one door, previously an exit, was bolted shut.
Adding to the danger, the pub was registered as a restaurant, not an entertainment establishment, which experts say means it likely had incomplete fire protection systems, such as lacking smoke ventilation. This allowed smoke and heat to accumulate, creating a deadly environment. The use of flammable materials, crowded conditions, and unusable emergency exits in Thai establishments has been a recurring issue, with similar deadly fires occurring in 2022 and 2009.
In response to the tragedy, Bangkok city authorities have announced plans to review regulations concerning decorative materials and the definition of entertainment establishments, acknowledging that current laws, some dating back 30 to 40 years, no longer reflect contemporary realities.