Thailand’s Ministry of Justice is preparing to approve emergency compensation for victims of the fatal fire at a Lat Phrao entertainment venue, with a committee due to consider the first payments on 14 July. As of 4pm on 13 July 2026, authorities recorded 100 victims, comprising 28 deaths and 72 injuries. Get today's headlines by email Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapol Naowarat instructed the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection to launch an immediate response by deploying frontline teams to the fire scene and hospitals. Their role is to inform victims and relatives of their legal rights and accept applications for financial assistance under Thailand’s victim compensation scheme. The operation is being led by Department Director-General Traiyarit Tammahiwong, Deputy Director-General Duangdao Kiatpisansakul, and Jilaporn Tamchu Krisanasuwan, Director of the Office of Financial Assistance for Injured Persons and Defendants in Criminal Cases. Officials are providing support to victims and the families of those killed while helping them submit compensation claims. By 5pm on 13 July, officials had received applications from the relatives of 15 deceased victims and three people with non-serious injuries. Teams have been deployed to three main locations to speed up the process. At the fire scene in Lat Phrao, Traiyarit met National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet and investigators from Phahonyothin Police Station to coordinate the investigation and gather evidence needed to support compensation approvals. At Police General Hospital, officials met Pol Maj Gen Wirun Suphasingsiripreecha, commander of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, to coordinate victim identification and assist relatives of the deceased victims. A compensation application centre remained open and will continue operating until all eligible families have been assisted. Additional teams visited Chulalongkorn Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital and Phyathai Hospital to support injured patients. Applications from those with minor injuries have already been accepted, while seriously injured patients will be able to apply once their condition improves and treatment has been completed. Traiyarit said the assistance is being provided under the Compensation for Victims and Compensation and Expenses for Defendants in Criminal Cases Act 2001, as amended in 2016. The department will immediately submit the names of identified victims whose relatives have completed applications to the Bangkok Subcommittee on Victim Compensation for approval on 14 July 2026, allowing financial assistance to reach affected families as quickly as possible. Naewna reported that victims or relatives who have not yet submitted an application can contact the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, the Justice Hotline by dialling 1111 then 77, or the Office of Financial Assistance for Injured Persons and Defendants in Criminal Cases on 02-141-2841. Picture courtesy of Naewna Related story Fire-kills-at-least-27-in-Bangkok-pub Join the discussion? 14 July 2026
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