Twenty-seven people died in the latest fire to hit Bangkok's night time scene. At least 63 more were injured, with 22 of those now in serious condition.
The fire at a pub style eatery near Lat Phrao Soi 1 in Chatuchak district is still under investigation. A witness says he saw smoke coming out of a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, then an explosion was heard and thick smoke quickly filled the place. Video of flames shooting out the pub entrance may indicate a gas fire as the fire spread to the kitchen.
Thailand has seen numerous similar tragedies. In 2022, 14 people were killed by a fire at a music pub. In 2009, 66 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a fire on New Years Eve at the Santika nightclub on Ekkamai.
At the core of Thailand's fire safety problem is a failed regulatory system. Safety standards are lax and are often ignored - a dangerous combination of poor regulations and a lack of enforcement. Fire exits are often non-existent, poorly marked, locked or blocked. Smoke alarms are not widely used.
The latest fire will be met with the usual amount of political hand wringing amid claims that fire safety will improve only to quickly return to the same head-in-the-sand approach.
Twenty-seven people went out for a meal or a drink expecting to go home. Rest in peace.
Enter any establishment at your own risk.
Bangkok eatery fire kills at least 27
July 2026
© PELEN 2026
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