Fire Erupts During Band Performance at Bangkok Bar
On Sunday, the Thai indie band Thotsakan was performing at a crowded bar in Bangkok when smoke was noticed by the band's manager, Ice Athipat Wijarn, who was seated off stage. The smoke appeared from behind the keyboardist, Kwang.
Kwang urgently called for evacuation, and within moments, a fierce fire rapidly engulfed Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, located in the bustling Chatuchak district of the city.
Ice described his struggle to escape through the smoke-filled room, attempting to open the door amid the chaos.
"Everybody was running, squeezing into each other," he said on the Thai talk show Hone-Krasae. He added that he crawled toward the exit before an explosion threw him out of the bar.
The fire resulted in at least 27 fatalities and numerous injuries, as confirmed by authorities on Monday.
Kwang, along with Thotsakan's female vocalist Breeze and drummer Bew, succumbed to their injuries, according to a Facebook post by fellow band member Patchara Songphatkaew. The status of Din, a male singer, remains unknown.
"Maybe a miracle will happen," Patchara wrote. "Let's pray things turn out well."
Thotsakan's lead singer, Tik Chaichana, escaped unharmed because he had gone to the washroom just before the fire started, according to Thai media reports. Videos circulating online showed him crying as he fled the burning venue.
"I'm safe, thank you everyone for your concern. But my phone and all my belongings burned... My mind is truly not okay right now," Tik posted on Facebook.
Details of the Incident and Victims
The fire erupted while Thotsakan was performing on stage, quickly consuming the bar.
Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao was a popular spot among locals, similar to many bars and pubs along the same street. At the time of reporting, only one foreign victim, a Laotian national, has been identified among the deceased.
Online footage captured frantic patrons screaming and fleeing through the flaming entrance, some with their clothes ablaze. More than 60 individuals are receiving hospital treatment, with eight in critical condition, according to Thai officials.
Community Reaction and Fire Response
Nearby residents expressed shock at the magnitude of the fire.
"I saw [firefighters] trying to extinguish the flames almost everywhere," said Titi Liewcha, who lives across the street. "I saw ambulances and rescue vehicles everywhere. I didn't know what to do. I just sat there stunned for a while."
Titi and Sirinya, another local resident, told BBC Thai they initially feared the fire might spread to their homes.
"This is the first time I've seen such a major fire," Sirinya said.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze within approximately 30 minutes of arrival. Despite their efforts, nine men and 18 women lost their lives.
Sirinya expressed concern about the possibility of similar tragedies occurring again due to the high number of such establishments.
"Because there are so many of these pubs," she said. "I've been to the bar once before, and it was very dark, with a low ceiling. The fire escape routes are not clear."
Phatsara Khamloet, who visited the pub in May, described the interior as dark and maze-like.
"It looked like it wasn't even open because of the glass. It was so dark you couldn't see anything inside," Phatsara said. "I had to navigate a winding route to reach the washroom, and the exits were not well marked. The moment I stepped in, my first feeling was, 'Whoa, if there's a fire, how would we even get out?'"
Investigation and Safety Concerns
On Monday, Bangkok governor Chatchart Sittipunt suggested that flammable decorations on the bar's ceiling may have contributed to the fire's rapid spread.
There were also reports of individuals found unconscious near the emergency exit, indicating possible obstruction, though a full investigation is required to confirm these details, Chatchart stated.
The incident has intensified demands for enhanced fire safety regulations and proper training for staff, particularly in nightlife venues.
A local driver working near the bar recommended that venue owners conduct regular fire drills to familiarize employees with evacuation procedures.
"Or when it comes to designing a place like this, the doors should be designed with more width in mind. Make them wider, make it easier for customers to escape," he said. "I feel sorry for the people who died. I feel sorry for them because they probably had no idea what was happening."
