Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the fire spread quickly to the ceiling and that smoke was likely the main cause of death. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, said musicians at the venue reported seeing smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, followed by an explosion.
“Most of the victims ran to the back, to toilets with no exit. It could be because of panic because there was fire and smoke,” he said.
???? 27 dead and 18 injured as tragedy strikes Bangkok nightlife
Late last night, a massive fire engulfed the popular entertainment venue “Rong Beer at Ladprao” near the Ladprao Intersection. Emergency services responded around midnight to a fierce blaze, with thick smoke and… pic.twitter.com/vuPsMO7eZn
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) July 12, 2026
Officials said many victims were found in the rear restrooms. Chadchart said some bodies were also found near a fire exit, and investigators believe it may have been obstructed. He added that authorities were identifying the victims, as many were unconscious or were not carrying identification.
Suriyachai Rawiwan, head of Bangkok’s disaster prevention department, said emergency crews reached the pub within five minutes of receiving the report, but the fire had already spread across the venue.
“When we went in to search, we found tables and seating blocking the way everywhere and the heat was intense,” he said.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames and thick smoke engulfed the pub. Motorbike taxi driver Surin Jaiharn said he helped about five people escape after seeing flames burst through the entrance.
Laotian tourist Kan Kutirat, who was inside the venue, said he noticed smoke rising near the stage before people began fleeing. A video verified by AFP showed patrons, some with their clothes on fire, running out of the building.
The pub, which has a stage, two bars and a kitchen, has a capacity of more than 300 people and lists four fire exits on its Facebook page. Images from the scene showed charred furniture, shattered windows and extensive damage inside the venue.
Authorities also set up a registration point for relatives searching for missing family members.
Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai said she rushed to the pub after learning that several of her bandmates were performing there. She said one band member had died, three were in hospital, and another remained missing.
“From what I heard from people who were inside, when the fire started everything went dark. The power was out and there was smoke everywhere, so they couldn’t locate other people,” she said.
Thailand has witnessed similar nightclub fires in the past. Twenty-five people were killed in the Mountain B nightclub fire in Chonburi province in 2022. In 2009, a fire during New Year celebrations at Bangkok’s Santika nightclub killed 67 people and injured more than 200.
(With input from agencies)