Bangkok, Thailand
Survivors of the deadly fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on the night of July 12th, 2026, have described scenes of sudden panic, thick smoke, and desperate attempts to flee as the blaze rapidly engulfed the popular entertainment venue, killing at least 27 people and injuring over 63 others.
The fire broke out shortly before midnight during a live music performance. According to multiple survivor accounts reported by Thai media and international outlets, the incident began with smoke near the stage, followed by a venue-wide power outage and an explosion-like sound that sent flames racing through the single-storey building within moments.
Laotian tourist Kan Kutirat told associated press he was drinking alone at the venue when he noticed smoke rising near the stage. “I heard loud screaming from a lot of people inside, chaos happened,” he said, sharing verified video footage showing patrons fleeing with shirts ablaze as flames surged from the entrance.
Usa Tadsree, 40, had stepped outside to smoke with a friend when the fire started. She attempted to re-enter to help but was driven back by thick smoke. Tragically, two of her friends died in the blaze, and a third remains in critical condition.
A motorbike taxi driver identified as Surin Jaiharn, 45, arrived on the scene and assisted several people escaping with burns and blistering skin. “After the explosion, I didn’t see anybody trying to run. Most of them were on the floor asking for help,” he told reporters, his head bandaged from his own efforts.
Firefighter Chakrit Khongkom, 45, was among the first responders. He described arriving to find the pub already alight, with many patrons stranded inside and attempting to escape from the back. “Smoke was everywhere,” he said. Body-camera footage showed firefighters navigating the darkened interior in search of survivors.
Sukanya Wongwongwai, 32, waited anxiously outside the venue for news of a missing friend who had been singing on stage. Her friend reported noticing the smell of burning, then seeing flames on the ceiling, which appeared to be made of sound-absorbing foam. “Some people were injured because of the debris from the ceiling,” Sukanya said.
Many victims reportedly fled toward the bathrooms at the rear of the building, mistaking them for exits in the dense smoke. Officials noted that emergency exits appeared to be obstructed, although the final official report on this was still pending as of press time, contributing to the high casualty count. Most deaths were attributed to smoke inhalation rather than direct burns.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene, expressing condolences and ordering a full investigation into the cause, preliminarily linked to an electrical short in an air-conditioning unit or circuit breaker near the stage, and safety compliance issues. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also raised concern on possible issues with blocked exits despite prior inspections.
The incident has drawn comparisons to previous Thai venue tragedies, including the 2009 Santika Club fire and the 2022 Mountain B pub blaze, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in entertainment spots.
As of Monday, 63 injured individuals were being treated across 16 hospitals in Bangkok, with 22 in serious or critical condition. The death toll stood at 27, with forensic teams continuing their work.
Survivors and witnesses also stressed the speed of the disaster. “It was dark and there was smoke, no oxygen,” one unnamed survivor told reporters after escaping from near the stage. Many credited quick thinking, dropping low to the ground to avoid the worst of the smoke and flames, with their survival.
Authorities continue to investigate potential negligence, while the nation mourns those lost in yet another reminder of the vulnerabilities in crowded nightlife venues.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
