Thailand PM visits Bangkok pub fire site as death toll reaches 27

New Delhi: A devastating fire ripped through a crowded pub in Bangkok, killing 27 people and injuring 63 others. Thailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday said blocked emergency exits may have contributed to the high death toll as authorities launched a negligence investigation.

After inspecting the gutted Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub, Anutin said many victims had fled towards the rear of the building after the blaze broke out but found no clearly marked fire exit. He said officials are now investigating whether obstructed escape routes, overloaded electrical wiring and flammable materials used during renovations worsened the tragedy.

Reuters reported on Sunday that the fire erupted around midnight at the live music venue in northern Bangkok. Disaster management officials said 63 people were injured, including 22 who remain in critical condition, while videos verified by Reuters showed thick smoke pouring from the building before flames burst through the entrance as patrons scrambled to escape.

“Most of the victims ran to the back of the building, into the bathroom, and there was no clear sign of a fire exit,” Anutin said after visiting the site. Reports also informed Anutin Charnvirakul that one door leading outside had reportedly been designated for staff and was not clearly identifiable to customers trying to flee during the fire.

Bangkok’s disaster prevention and mitigation department said an initial assessment suggested that an electrical short circuit in a ceiling-mounted airconditioning unit may have sparked the blaze. However, authorities stressed that forensic teams are continuing to investigate the exact cause and have not reached a final conclusion.

Survivors said they first noticed the smell of something burning before flames spread across the ceiling above the stage where a live performance was underway. Investigators are also examining whether foam-based soundproofing materials used during renovations accelerated the fire and caused sections of the ceiling to collapse.

Reports said the venue had been inspected in April and was licensed as a restaurant and live music establishment, with fire extinguishers, emergency signs and exits reportedly in place at the time. Investigators are now examining whether beer crates, tables and other objects later obstructed evacuation routes, with the Bangkok governor, Chadchart Sittipunt saying one exit near the kitchen was blocked by stacked beer crates while another had a table placed in front of it.

The tragedy has renewed concerns over fire safety standards at entertainment venues in Thailand. A nightclub fire in Chonburi in 2022 killed 13 people, while a New Year nightclub blaze in Bangkok in 2009 claimed 65 lives. Both were found to have serious safety violations and failure to comply with fire regulations.