UPDATE Governor Probes Fire Escape Blockage in Bangkok Fire Pictures courtesy of Daily News Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the scene of the deadly fire at the “Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao” entertainment venue near Lat Phrao Soi 1 in Chatuchak district on 13 July 2026, as the confirmed death toll rose to 27 with a further 18 people seriously injured. The governor met officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and Chatuchak district engineers to assess the damage and coordinate assistance for victims. Chadchart confirmed that most of those who died were found near an emergency exit after apparently being unable to escape from the building. He said preliminary reports indicated that a table used to sell sweets and other items had been placed in front of the fire exit, potentially obstructing the escape route, although he stressed that forensic officers must carry out a detailed investigation before any official conclusions are reached. The governor also said the rapid spread of the fire was believed to have been fuelled by highly flammable interior decorative materials, allowing flames to engulf the venue within minutes. He added that the venue owner was also reported to have been injured in the blaze. The fire broke out shortly before midnight at the popular entertainment venue and restaurant near the Lat Phrao intersection. Firefighters and rescue teams from several stations responded to the emergency, carrying out CPR on victims at the scene while transporting the injured to hospitals across Bangkok. Earlier Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, accompanied by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and senior officials, inspected the site and received operational briefings from emergency responders. After entering the damaged building, the prime minister expressed condolences to the families of those who had lost relatives in the disaster. Officials reported that the building’s interior had been almost completely destroyed by fire. Rescue teams found victims gathered near toilets and inside the toilet area, leading investigators to believe that after power failed and visibility was lost, patrons mistakenly ran towards the toilets instead of the main exit, where they were overcome by smoke and flames. Daily News reported that authorities will now inspect the building’s structure, fire systems, fittings and licensing records. Chadchart said that if investigators find the premises had been modified or emergency exits obstructed in a way that contributed to the high number of fatalities, criminal proceedings would be pursued against all those found responsible. AQMNgvjR1RkwgVzx_PkxWwzdAr9qbo_q7tZzFmMZQnic5FSQax8kI-qlsb7OlN-MiYNmSWsyQ3zKXEIZxiiEpDPWMc1cJ3Pwv5m7VFkLjA.mp4 13 July 2026
