''There was no way to get out': Witnesses describe how deadly inferno swept through Bangkok bar
A musician who was performing when the fire broke out says he crawled for the exit - and was thrown from the bar when something exploded.
''There was no way to get out': Eyewitnesses recount the devastating fire that swept through a Bangkok bar
This video cannot be played
Patrons escape a Bangkok bar as massive flames erupt from the entrance
On Sunday night, the Thai indie band Thotsakan was performing at a crowded bar in Bangkok when band manager Ice Athipat Wijarn, who was seated off stage, noticed smoke rising from behind the keyboardist. The keyboardist, Kwang, urgently called for everyone to evacuate, and within moments, a fierce fire engulfed Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, located in the bustling Chatuchak district of the city.
Ice described his frantic attempt to escape the smoke-filled room, recalling, "Everybody was running, squeezing into each other," during an interview on the Thai talk show Hone-Krasae. He crawled toward the exit when suddenly an explosion propelled him out of the bar. "The sight of my girlfriend's body being carried out, the sight of my friend who was burned in the fire and everything that happened are still etched in my mind," he shared, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
Authorities confirmed on Monday that the fire claimed the lives of at least 28 individuals and left many others injured. Kwang, along with Thotsakan's female vocalist Breeze and drummer Bew, succumbed to their injuries, as stated in a Facebook post by fellow band member Patchara Songphatkaew. A fifth member, Din, was initially reported missing but was found later on Monday evening, though his condition remains unknown.
Thotsakan's lead singer Tik Chaichana escaped unharmed, having gone to the restroom just moments before the fire erupted, according to Thai media. Videos circulating online captured him in tears as he fled the burning establishment. "I'm safe, thank you everyone for your concern. But my phone and all my belongings burned... My mind is truly not okay right now," Tik wrote in a Facebook update.
Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, like many bars and pubs in the area, was a favorite among locals. As of now, only one foreigner, a Laotian, has been identified among the deceased. Online footage depicted terrified patrons screaming as they rushed out, some with their clothes ablaze, through the fiery entrance.
"There was a boom – a very fast boom ... There was no way to get out at all," said 41-year-old Usa Tadsree, who reported that two of her friends perished in the fire. Eyewitnesses recounted desperate attempts to enter the bar to rescue trapped friends. "I heard people screaming. I wanted to go help my brother but I can't get in," Kaewudon Pongpanee told Reuters. "There was smoke, dust, heat."
Thai authorities reported that at least 71 people sustained injuries, with 25 in critical condition. Local residents expressed shock at the magnitude of the fire. "I saw [firefighters] trying to extinguish the flames almost everywhere," said Titi Liewcha, a neighbor of the bar. "I saw ambulances and rescue vehicles everywhere. I didn't know what to do. I just sat there stunned for a while."
Titi and another local, Sirinya, shared with BBC Thai their initial fears that the fire might spread to their homes. "This is the first time I've seen such a major fire," Sirinya remarked. Firefighters managed to control the flames within approximately half an hour of their arrival.
Sirinya expressed concern that such a tragedy could happen again, noting the abundance of similar pubs in the area. She recalled her previous visit to the bar, describing it as "very dark, with a low ceiling." "The fire escape routes are not clear," she added.
Phatsara Khamloet, who visited the pub in May, also noted the dark and "maze-like" layout. "It looked like it wasn't even open because of the glass. It was so dark you couldn't see anything inside," Phatsara recounted, mentioning the difficulty of navigating a "winding route" to the restroom and the lack of clearly marked exits. "The moment I stepped in, my first feeling was, 'Whoa, if there's a fire, how would we even get out?'"
Earlier on Monday, Bangkok governor Chatchart Sittipunt indicated that the flammable decorations on the bar's ceiling might have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. There were also reports of individuals found unconscious near the emergency exit, suggesting possible obstructions, though Chatchart acknowledged that a comprehensive investigation was necessary to confirm these details.
The tragic incident has intensified calls for authorities to enhance fire safety regulations and ensure proper training for staff, particularly in the nightlife sector. A driver who works nearby suggested that venue owners should conduct regular fire drills to familiarize employees with evacuation procedures. "Or when it comes to designing a place like this, the doors should be designed with more width in mind. Make them wider, make it easier for customers to escape," he stated. "I feel sorry