An influencer who says she has known the owner of Na Lat Phrao Bar for many years has offered a different account of the devastating fire that tore through the venue in Bangkok, insisting the owner is still alive and critically ill after reportedly re-entering the burning building to help customers.
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The fire broke out shortly after midnight on 12 July at the entertainment venue near Lat Phrao Soi 1 in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 35 minutes, but the incident resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, with authorities continuing to investigate the cause.
On 13 July, well-known influencer Katiya livestreamed on social media to challenge online reports claiming the owner had died. She said she had spoken with people close to him and confirmed he remains alive but is being treated in an intensive care unit (ICU), where he is in a coma and under close medical observation. Doctors are reportedly assessing his condition on a day-by-day basis.
According to Katiya, the owner, who is one of the venue’s major shareholders, initially escaped the building during the fire. However, after realising that people were still trapped inside, he allegedly picked up a fire extinguisher and ran back into the building to assist those still inside despite the danger.
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She said the owner inhaled a large amount of smoke while attempting to help others and lost consciousness inside the building. Rescue workers later recovered him and rushed him to hospital for emergency treatment.
Katiya also urged the public not to believe rumours or rush to judge the owner while the investigation is ongoing. She said he had always placed great importance on safety measures at the venue, including prohibiting customers from bringing cigarette lighters inside, and argued that the true cause of the fire should be determined only after official investigators complete their work.
She added that the venue’s shareholders and business partners are returning to Bangkok to help coordinate assistance for those affected by the tragedy, including the families of those who died and those who were injured.
Daily News reported that authorities have not yet announced the cause of the fire, and the official investigation remains underway. Medical staff continue to monitor the owner’s condition while investigators work to establish exactly how the blaze started and what legal action will follow.
Picture courtesy of Daily News of Katiya
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14 July 2026
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