Disasters & Incidents
Bangkok bar fire death toll rises to 34 after woman dies in hospital
A 20-year-old woman died on Sunday from injuries sustained in a large Bangkok bar fire one week earlier, raising the death toll to 34, health authorities said.
The fire swept through the Rong Beer Na Lad Phrao bar and restaurant on the night of July 12 and quickly engulfed the live music venue. The Erawan Emergency Medical Centre, which is operated by Bangkok city authorities, said Apinya Sukthongsa, 20, died in hospital early Sunday.
Around 70 people were injured in the fire, and 13 were still in intensive care units, the Erawan centre said.
Police told AFP last week that most of the victims died from smoke inhalation, while others died in hospital from severe burns. Investigators were examining the cause of the fire and why it was so deadly. Many bodies were found near the toilets, and officials were looking at whether fire exits were obstructed.
A building safety expert told AFP earlier that Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao appeared to have lacked safety systems required for the large crowds and live music events it hosted.
Thailand's approach to health and safety rules, especially in bars and nightclubs, has long raised concerns. In 2009, a fire at Bangkok's Santika club during New Year celebrations killed 67 people and injured more than 200.
Update
A 20-year-old woman, Apinya Sukthongsa, died in hospital early Sunday from injuries sustained in the fire.
The death toll rose to 34.
Around 70 people were injured.
Thirteen people were still in intensive care units.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 03:39:22 UTC.
Update
Forensic police completed autopsies of all 33 victims.
Autopsies found 27 victims died from carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning after inhaling smoke.
The remaining six victims died later in hospital from severe burn injuries.
Authorities said the death toll remained 33 and 77 people were injured.
A forensic official said carbon monoxide and cyanide can block oxygen from reaching the blood and can cause death within four minutes in large quantities.
The bar owner was admitted to intensive care after the fire, but it was not clear whether he remained in hospital.
Police said investigators found evidence the venue used high-voltage electricity without approval, which could have been a factor in the fire.
Officials have ordered three bars temporarily closed for failing to meet safety standards.
The report adds context about the 2009 Santika club fire in Bangkok and comments from a building safety expert.
Source note: AFP news report published on 17 July 2026 at 05:09:16 UTC.
Update
Authorities said the death toll had risen from 32 to 33.
The Erawan Emergency Medical Centre said around 70 people were injured, including more than a dozen still in critical condition.
An official told the prime minister at the scene that there were two functioning exit doors, but one was marked for staff only and was not clearly identified as an emergency exit.
A rescuer suggested the staff-only marking may have been intended to stop customers leaving without paying.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said another possible escape door may have been locked.
The bar owner had been admitted to intensive care after the fire, but it was unclear whether he remained in hospital.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 13:26:38 UTC.
Update
Authorities said the death toll had risen to 32.
The Erawan Emergency Medical Centre said 73 people were injured, including more than a dozen still in critical condition.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene and was told there were two functioning exit doors, but one was marked for staff only and not clearly identified as an emergency exit.
Anutin suggested another possible exit door may have been locked.
The government ordered urgent inspections of entertainment venues across Thailand.
Anutin said authorities would review venue classification rules after it emerged the bar was not licensed to operate live music despite doing so regularly.
The bar owner was admitted to intensive care after the fire, though it was not clear if he remained in hospital.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 07:00:00 UTC.
Update
An independent expert who inspected the venue with forensic police said he saw no emergency exit signage, emergency lighting systems or fire alarm devices during a preliminary inspection.
The expert said the venue had a restaurant licence but its operations resembled an entertainment venue.
An interior ministry official said venues with live music, alcohol sales and dancing that are not registered as entertainment venues are in violation.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt promised a survey of similar establishments and tougher enforcement across the city.
The expert called for nationwide inspections and stricter enforcement of building control and safety rules.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 11:02:16 UTC.
Update
Bangkok's Chatuchak district office put the toll at 30 dead and 75 injured, including 24 in critical condition, by Tuesday morning.
Relatives collected bodies at Police General Hospital, with some coffins taken to victims' home provinces.
Families and friends described efforts to identify victims, including DNA testing, and continued searches for missing people.
Authorities were examining how the fire began and why it was so deadly, including a possible electrical fault and whether exits were blocked.
A building safety expert who visited the site said he saw no emergency exit signage, emergency lighting systems or fire alarm devices, while noting that officials needed a full assessment.
Survivors and relatives visited the burned bar, laid garlands and prayed for the dead.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 11:06:37 UTC.
Update
Relatives gathered at Police General Hospital on Tuesday to claim victims' bodies.
Some coffins were transported to victims' home provinces.
Nuttakarn Sevoy identified one victim as her childhood friend Top Sarobol, who was believed to have died from smoke inhalation.
Jarunee Phosawad came from Roi Et to oversee the cremation of her cousin Kochaporn Sotharat and the return of her ashes.
Booyaporn Sermsiri was searching for her missing daughter Jarawee Sermsiri and had given a DNA sample.
Forensic police were examining the wreckage as authorities looked at a possible electrical fault and whether emergency exits were blocked.
Several witnesses said they saw smoke before midnight, then the lights went out, followed by an explosion and intense flames.
Survivor Usa Tadsri said two friends who were with her died, leaving behind two young children.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 09:37:52 UTC.
Update
Bangkok's Chatuchak district office put the death toll at 30 by Tuesday morning.
Officials said 75 people were injured, including 24 in critical condition.
Relatives gathered at Police General Hospital to claim bodies, and some visited the burned venue to pray and lay garlands.
Booyaporn Sermsiri said she was searching for her missing 25-year-old daughter, Jawaee "Cartoon" Sermsiri, and had provided a DNA sample.
Officials said three of the dead had not yet been named.
Interior ministry official Unsit Sampuntharat said the venue's licence was under scrutiny, including whether it was authorised to host live music.
Authorities were examining a possible electrical fault and whether emergency exits were blocked.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 05:55:15 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Officials were questioning whether fire exits were obstructed.
Source
AFP news report published on .