A devastating fire ripped through a pub in Bangkok in the early hours of Monday morning, killing at least 27 people and sending thick black smoke billowing into the night sky before firefighters brought the blaze under control. Thailand's Prime Minister confirmed the death toll at the scene, with a number of injured patrons taken to hospital for treatment.
Blaze Erupts at Na Ladprao Pub After Midnight
Emergency services received reports of the fire at around midnight at the Na Ladprao pub, located in the northern part of the Thai capital. Dramatic footage circulating online shows flames roaring out of the venue's front entrance while panicked patrons scramble to escape and dense black smoke fills the surrounding area.
Firefighters took approximately half an hour to bring the fire under control. Images from the aftermath reveal a scene of devastation inside — charred furniture, burned tables and chairs, and a heavily damaged interior. Authorities said many of the victims were discovered near the restrooms at the rear of the building.
Musician Describes Seeing Smoke From Circuit Breaker
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul spoke to reporters at the scene following the disaster, confirming that 27 people had lost their lives and that an investigation into the cause of the fire had been launched.
Anutin revealed that a musician who had been performing at the pub that night described seeing smoke emerging from a circuit breaker close to the stage shortly before the power failed. An explosion then reportedly followed, and thick smoke rapidly engulfed the venue, leaving little time for those inside to escape safely.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was making urgent inquiries with local Thai authorities to establish whether any Australians were among those affected.
Thailand's Painful History of Deadly Venue Fires
This tragedy is not the first of its kind in Thailand. Just three years ago, in 2022, 14 people were killed in a fire at a music pub in the country's eastern region. Before that, one of the deadliest venue fires in the country's history claimed 66 lives and left more than 200 people injured during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2009, when a fire broke out at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok — reportedly ignited by an indoor fireworks display.
Thailand's latest pub fire is among the most lethal in a long and sobering list of building or structure fires that have claimed lives across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in recent decades.
Investigation Ongoing as Nation Mourns
Thai authorities have not yet confirmed an official cause for the Na Ladprao blaze, with investigations continuing. The Prime Minister's presence at the scene underscored the gravity of the incident, which has shocked Thailand and drawn concern from the international community.
Recovered mobile phones belonging to victims were among the items retrieved from the gutted pub as emergency crews worked through the aftermath. Officials have not yet released a full list of the deceased or confirmed the nationalities of those killed.
