A devastating fire ripped through the popular Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub and restaurant in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district late on Sunday night, killing at least 27 people and injuring dozens more, officials said.
The blaze broke out around 11:57 p.m. on July 12, 2026, at the venue on Lat Phrao Road near Soi 1. Firefighters arrived shortly after but found the entire establishment already engulfed in flames. It took them approximately 30–45 minutes to bring the fire under control.
According to Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene in the early hours of Monday, a musician performing at the pub reported seeing smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage. Power then failed, followed by an explosion, after which thick black smoke rapidly filled the venue.
Many victims were found in the restrooms at the back of the pub, where they had apparently sought refuge or became trapped amid the chaos and poor visibility. Survivors indicated there were no adequate or accessible fire escapes, contributing to the high casualty toll.
As of the latest reports, 27 people have been confirmed dead — 9 men and 18 women, many of them young. Another 63 people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, including Chulalongkorn, Rajavithi, and others. Of the injured, around 22 were in critical condition.
Rescue teams and forensic personnel are working to identify the remaining victims. Eyewitness videos circulating online showed panicked patrons fleeing as flames burst from the entrance and thick smoke billowed into the street.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that authorities will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, including whether the venue had proper safety measures such as functioning fire exits, sprinklers, alarms, and extinguishers. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also inspected the site.
Preliminary accounts point to a possible electrical fault near the stage, though the exact cause has not yet been officially determined.
The incident is one of the deadliest pub fires in Thailand in recent years. Similar tragedies have occurred in the past, including a 2022 fire that killed 14 at a music venue and the 2009 Santika nightclub blaze that claimed 66 lives.