Bangkok bar fire kills 30, dozens injured as safety failures investigated

A blaze erupted late Sunday night, July 13, 2026, at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao music bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The fire, possibly sparked by an electrical short circuit in an air‑conditioning unit, spread rapidly through flammable ceiling decorations. The venue, which describes itself as a brewery or beer hall and can hold up to 600 patrons, was not known to be full at the time.

The death toll has risen to 30, with more than 70 people injured, 24 of them in critical condition. Most of the victims were found trapped in windowless bathrooms where they had fled the flames. Investigators have identified several safety lapses: blocked emergency exits by a candy stall and shelving, a locked restroom door, missing exit signs, and the absence of fire‑resistant materials. Police chief Kittharath Punpetch and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the inquiry will also examine possible illegal renovations and whether the bar held the proper entertainment licence.

Authorities are reviewing fire‑safety regulations for similar venues as forensic teams continue to document the damage and identify the deceased.