A 28-year-old employee died after becoming trapped by a fire that swept through the Catwalk nightclub in Pattaya during the early hours of 1 July 2026.

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The blaze was reported at 12.15am to the Pattaya City Land Disaster Relief Radio Centre. Emergency responders, including officers from Pattaya City Police Station, Bang Lamung district officials, Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue volunteers and firefighters, were sent to the Catwalk entertainment venue in Soi Chalermphrakiat 29.

Fire crews arrived to find the building engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing from the premises. Fire engines were deployed to contain the blaze. A passing groundwater delivery truck also stopped to assist, with its driver supplying additional water to firefighters. The fire was brought under control after about 45 minutes.

After the flames were extinguished, emergency personnel discovered the body of 28-year-old Thanaphon Boonchan, an employee at the nightclub, beneath a table inside the premises. He had suffered fatal burns after apparently being unable to escape.

Employees told police that one staff member had alerted colleagues after noticing the fire. According to witnesses, flames were first seen near the roof before spreading towards the front entrance and exit. Staff rushed to evacuate, but Thanaphon was not seen leaving the building and is believed to have become trapped as the fire blocked the only exit.

Somchai Nawacharoen, 63, who was delivering water to a nearby business when the fire broke out, said he immediately reversed his truck to the scene and helped firefighters by supplying water until the emergency services gained control of the blaze.

Preliminary inspections by police and Bang Lamung district officials found that the nightclub was operating without a licence. Investigators also determined that the premises had no emergency fire exit. Authorities believe this may have prevented the victim from escaping once the fire reached the main exit, although the exact circumstances remain under investigation.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Police and district officials have requested forensic officers to examine the scene and determine the origin of the blaze. Their findings will also help establish whether further legal action will be taken over the operation of the venue.

Picture courtesy of SiamChon

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Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamChon 1 July 2026

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Poor bastard never stood a chance. Shades of Santika in Bangkok. Plenty of clubs chain the fire exits shut. It seems like a core group never learns.

Same old, same old. No licence, no emergency exit. And somehow this illegal club goes unseen by inspection officials.

Rest in peace. I hope is family hires a good lawyer.

How much work would it be to take a month and have all entertainment licenses checked by the area police departments ?

Invariably it is found that these places have no licenses whenever there is a major event like this or even catching these places open after hours.

What enforcements ? Those avenues are our best customers supplying a constant stream of benefits come rain or shine.

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

establish whether further legal action will be taken over the operation of the venue.

Manslaughter due to criminal negligence of the store owner.

3 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Same old, same old. No licence, no emergency exit. And somehow this illegal club goes unseen by inspection officials.

Indeed- I am constantly amazed that unlawful or unlicensed clubs/bars operate in full sight of the law and nothing happens until a tragedy at the club/bar takes place

RIP

Google catwalk karaoke Pattaya for video

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A passing groundwater delivery truck also stopped to assist, with its driver supplying additional water to firefighters.

I've seen that several times — commercial water trucks coming with extra water supply when there is a fire — great gesture, 👍 from me.

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Preliminary inspections by police and Bang Lamung district officials found that the nightclub was operating without a licence. Investigators also determined that the premises had no emergency fire exit.

Worth to think about when entering night clubs — how do you escape in case of emergency — there has over the years been a number of sad news stories about various night club-fires, where people were trapped inside.

On the other hand, I don't understand how some can operate an unlicensed venue for years, without authorities check anything — including safety — however, in Thailand the saying is, 'don't think too much'; so, I will not begin to think if some brown envelopes could have anything to do with it...

11 minutes ago, khunPer said:

On the other hand, I don't understand how some can operate an unlicensed venue for years, without authorities check anything — including safety — however, in Thailand the saying is, 'don't think too much'; so, I will not begin to think if some brown envelopes could have anything to do with it...

You have answered your own question. Well done. I was beginning to think you might be new here.

I'm with khunPer. Tragic as it is, it's a good cautionary tale to spend a few seconds looking around and asking yourself how you'd escape if something like a fire were to happen.

Same with situations like ferries and river boats, and other venues where the employees try to herd you into the bowels of the boat where you'd have to climb over a dozen people to get to an open door or window. I've left a few venues that looked too dodgy. It's wise to remember that you're not in Kansas any more. You just can't rely on the authorities to make sure the place isn't a deathtrap. (Not that they always get it right back home, either)

8 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Same old, same old. No licence, no emergency exit. And somehow this illegal club goes unseen by inspection officials.

Brown envelopes keep the front doors open but the back doors locked. 🤷🏼

A bit like what happened in that swanky swiss ski resort for new year, where the french owner used cheap and illegal materials to soundproof his club and allowed sparkler fireworks to make the show on the purchase of overpriced XL size liquor bottles from his clientele of mostly highly wealthy kids and some underage,

9 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Brown envelopes keep the front doors open but the back doors locked. 🤷🏼

Maybe. No proof in this case so far, but I'd bet more that it's the usual non-enforcement due to apathy.

Usually when one gets to a dancing venue with a sweet honey, you're both already half cut, maybe some X. Not many think of looking for the exits.

Hope we find out how think fire was started.