Bangkok pub fire tragedy

In the early hours of 12‑13 July 2026, a massive fire erupted at the Na Ladprao (Rong Beer) pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Dense black smoke filled the venue, trapping patrons, especially those inside rear restrooms where exits were obstructed by beer cans and a table. Firefighters contained the blaze in roughly thirty minutes.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed at least 27 deaths and 63 injuries, 22 critical, noting inhalation of thick smoke as the primary cause of death. A musician onstage reported seeing smoke from a circuit‑breaker near the stage before a power cut and an explosion, supporting investigators’ view that a short circuit in a ceiling air‑conditioning unit likely ignited the fire.

Police verified that one fire exit was piled with beer cans and another blocked by a table, forcing many patrons toward the back toilets where most victims were later found. The venue held a valid licence, but authorities are examining whether functional fire‑escape routes were present.

The incident is Thailand’s deadliest bar fire since the 2009 Santika nightclub tragedy and follows a 2022 bar fire that killed 14. A formal investigation is ongoing, focusing on electrical safety, exit accessibility, and licensing compliance. Photographs of the scene showed shoes scattered across the floor, underscoring the chaos of the aftermath.