A massive fire engulfed a pub in Bangkok early Monday, killing at least 27 people and injuring 63 others, including 22 in critical condition, according to Thai officials. The fire broke out around midnight in the northern part of the city and was brought under control approximately 35 minutes later, according to the Bangkok Post and Thai PBS.

Details of the Incident

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed at the scene that 27 people had died and several were hospitalized; the fire started at a pub in the Ladprao area, near the Chatuchak market, one of Bangkok’s most visited tourist spots. According to Thai PBS. The governor of Bangkok. Chachachart Sittiphan, stated that the pub’s evacuation route was blocked by furniture and other decorative items, which may have contributed to the casualties.

According to the Bangkok Post, rescuers reported that the fire began near a main switch located close to the stage and was followed by a power outage and an explosion. Many victims reportedly ran toward the toilets at the back of the building, which had no exit, likely out of panic due to the smoke and flames filling the space. Firefighters managed to control the blaze by around 12:30 a.m., local time.

Historical Context and Investigations

This tragedy echoes past fire incidents in Thailand. In 2022, a fire at a music pub in the east of the country killed 14 people. Over a decade earlier, in 2009, a fire at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok during New Year’s Eve killed 66 people and injured more than 200. That fire was caused by an indoor fireworks display. The current fire’s cause is still under investigation.

According to Thai PBS, authorities are collecting information to identify the victims. The site has been cordoned off with metal barriers and police tape, and officials are conducting a full inspection of the building’s interior and emergency exits. In 2022, a similar fire at a discotheque in Tailandia left at least 15 dead and 37 injured, and the owner was charged with negligence and operating without a license.

Victim Demographics and Location

The Bangkok Post reported that 27 of the victims were women and 9 were men, with no immediate information on whether any of the dead were foreign tourists. Bangkok is a major tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and the affected area is near the Chatuchak market, which attracts tens of thousands of people on weekends, including many foreigners. The location and timing of the fire suggest that it may have drawn a mix of locals and tourists.

Charnvirakul described the scene as “chaotic” and noted the difficulty of evacuation due to the dense smoke. The government has yet to announce any formal charges or statements regarding building safety regulations at the pub. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a criminal investigation, particularly if negligence or illegal operation is found to be a factor.