At least 27 people died in a fire that broke out late on July 12, 2026, at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The blaze began near the stage area shortly before midnight, with firefighters arriving at 00:02 local time to bring the fire under control about 30 minutes later [1, 2, 3].
The fire reportedly started due to an electrical short circuit in an air conditioning unit, though authorities continue to investigate the exact cause [1, 2, 4]. Flammable decorative materials on the stage and ceiling fueled the fire’s rapid spread [5, 4]. Many victims were trapped and found in the restrooms at the back of the pub, where patrons hid from the smoke and flames [1, 6, 5]. Emergency exits were locked or blocked, and safety signs were not clearly visible, hindering evacuation efforts [6, 5, 4].
Dozens were injured, with reports ranging from 63 to over 70 people hurt, including 22 to 25 critically injured [2, 6, 5]. The final death toll varies slightly among sources; while most report 27 fatalities, some sources cite up to 32 [1, 2, 6, 4]. Among those killed were at least two members of the indie band Thotsakan performing that night [6, 5].
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene early on July 13 and confirmed the death toll at 27, saying, "We have recovered 27 bodies, others are being sent to hospital." He added, "Based on survivor accounts, the pub rapidly filled with smoke after a fire broke out, forcing many to run to the back of the venue near the bathrooms, but there were no fire escapes" [3]. Police General Kittiratt Phanphet criticized the fire safety measures, stating the conditions "indicate a lack of caution and disregard for the safety of the patrons" [5]. The band’s manager described the chaos: "Everybody was running, squeezing into each other...There was a boom – a very fast boom ... There was no way to get out at all" [6].
Structural engineering professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai said the tragedy raises questions not only about the cause but also why the fire spread so rapidly and caused such loss of life [4]. Thai authorities launched an official investigation into the fire’s cause and the pub’s safety violations starting July 13 [5].
