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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Bangkok Bar Fire Death Toll Rises to 32

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A fire at the Rong Beer Na Lad Phrao bar in Bangkok has killed 32 people and injured 73, with many in critical condition.
  • Investigators are examining the cause of the blaze, with early findings suggesting a blocked or unmarked emergency exit may have contributed to the fatalities.
  • Thailand's Prime Minister has ordered a nationwide review of entertainment venue regulations and safety standards following the deadly incident.

A devastating fire at the Rong Beer Na Lad Phrao bar in Bangkok has claimed 32 lives and left 73 others injured, with more than a dozen in critical condition. The blaze erupted Sunday night, quickly engulfing the popular establishment. Investigators are probing the cause of the fire and why it proved so deadly, with many bodies found near the restrooms.

So, this means people were unaware that it was a fire emergency door.

— Anutin CharnvirakulThe Prime Minister was informed about the unmarked emergency exit during his visit to the fire scene.

During a visit to the scene, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was informed that one of the two functional exits was marked for staff only and lacked clear signage as a fire emergency exit. "So, this means people were unaware that it was a fire emergency door," he was heard saying. A rescuer suggested the door might have been intended to prevent customers from leaving without paying.

Maybe this was done to prevent customers from leaving without paying.

— RescuerA rescuer offered a possible explanation for the unmarked staff-only emergency exit.

The Prime Minister also hinted that another potential emergency exit might have been locked, questioning how such a situation could occur. In response, the Thai government has mandated an urgent inspection of all entertainment venues nationwide. Anutin also stated that authorities would review regulations concerning the classification of entertainment venues, as Rong Beer Na Lad Phrao reportedly lacked a license for live music despite regularly hosting it.

How could this happen?

— Anutin CharnvirakulThe Prime Minister questioned the circumstances surrounding a potentially locked emergency exit.

"Businesses that do not comply with regulations will not last long, and the owner of this place will face the heaviest possible legal charges," the Prime Minister declared. The bar's owner was reportedly admitted to intensive care following the fire, though their current condition and location are unknown. This incident echoes past tragedies, including a 2009 fire at Bangkok's Santika club that killed 67 people.

Businesses that do not comply with regulations will not last long, and the owner of this place will face the heaviest possible legal charges.

— Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister vowed strict legal action against non-compliant businesses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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