Two customers who had been receiving treatment for severe injuries after the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao fire in Bangkok have died, raising the confirmed death toll to 41.
Police working on the case at Metropolitan Police Division 2 said the latest victims were a male customer treated at Rajavithi Hospital and a female customer treated at Taksin Hospital. Both had been critically injured in the blaze on the night of 12 July.
Investigators have also stated that the case has also widened to include allegations that money may have been paid to police and officals. The claims are being examined separately by anti-corruption officials.
Accountant denies paying police
On 18 August 2026, reporters contacted "New", described as a close associate of the venue's owner and the person responsible for its accounts, after reports emerged of account information allegedly linked to payments to police.
New said he had already given a statement to investigators and denied knowing about, or making, any payments to police. He said his role was limited to handling the venue's daily income and expenditure.
He said he had handed over his mobile phone and all relevant account records for examination. Whether payments had been made should be put to the owner, he said, stressing that he was not the venue manager.
Pol Maj Gen Kiatkul Sonthanee, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, said that committees have been formed to examine three issues: the cause of the fire, possible police disciplinary failings or neglect, and alleged demands for benefits.
The alleged benefit payments fall under the authority of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, or PACC. Police have been submitting information and statements from venue employees to the agency.
Reports said the PACC had called New and staff members for questioning. Checks of New's phone reportedly found evidence of money transfers, said to be payments to police, but no receiving individual or agency has yet been identified.
If officers from Metropolitan Police Division 2, or people from other agencies, are found to be involved, the PACC will decide on further questioning and action. Division 2 police remain responsible for the criminal case and internal disciplinary proceedings.
The Ministry of Justice's Office of Financial Assistance for Victims and Defendants in Criminal Cases said it had paid more than 11 million baht in compensation to relatives of people injured or killed in the fire.
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18 August 2026
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